Eyes of Wonder
Eyes of Wonder
Let us suppose awhile. “Let us suppose,” writes Leigh Hunt, “suppose flowers themselves were new! Suppose they had just come into the world, a sweet reward for some new goodness. Imagine what we should feel when we saw the first lateral stem bearing off from the main one, and putting forth a leaf. How we should watch the leaf gradually unfolding it graceful little hand; then another, then another; then the main stalk rising and producing more; then one of them giving indications of the astonishing novelty—a bud! then this mysterious bud gradually unfolding like the leaf, amazing us, enchanting us, almost alarming us with delight, as if we knew not what enchantment were to ensue, till at length, in all its fairy beauty, and odorous voluptuousness, and mysterious elaboration of tender and living sculpture, shines forth the blushing flower.”
Charlotte Mason responds: “The flowers it is true, are not new; but the children are. The secret of the teacher is to present nothing as stale knowledge, but to put herself in the position of the child, and wonder and admire with him, for every common miracle which the child sees with his own eyes makes of him for the moment another Newton.”
A good teacher is a student ever.
Photographs: Untitled. © A Still Small Voice, September 2008.
COMMENT ON THIS POST BY SENDING AN EMAIL TO THE HANDMAIDEN.
HILDEGARD said...
Wonderful thoughts! Thank you for recommending Charlotte Mason’s writings. I have begun working through them, and am enjoying them immensely!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008 01:05 PM
HANDMAIDEN said...
Oh, good! I am so glad that you have started reading Charlotte Mason! I was hoping you would. I have gleaned so much knowledge (and wisdom too, I hope!) from that woman’s writings and am incredibly thankful to God for her contributions to educational philosophy.
I would love to hear about what you learn, whether at your blog or in your emails!
I just added a poem to my online collection called “The Teacher” by Leslie Pickney Hill. I know you will enjoy it, being a teacher yourself.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008 02:05 PM
Friday, September 5, 2008