Mind Pictures

Last week I attended the Elementary Learning Institute for Round Rock ISD. I had the opportunity to observe some great teachers in action and to attend some break-out sessions that will make me a great teacher. I attended one session called "Keeping A Writer's Notebook". At one point in the session the instructor talked to us about having your students write and keep a notebook for whatever inspires them. Whenever they are inspired to just jot down their thoughts and feelings. She then had us do an exercise called "Mind Pictures" where at that very moment you were to right down what you were thinking. She gave us a few minutes and here is what I wrote:

"There it sits. It served its purpose. Now what? It will be discarded like so many of its kind. Taken to a place where so many objects go to sit and wait. Waiting to cease to exist anymore. Waiting to release its harmful toxins. Toxins that destroy our world."

So what was it that inspired me at that very moment? It was my Styrofoam cup. It really made me think. If a cup could inspire me so much, then imagine what the possibilities could be for the inspirations of our students. Needless to say we will be keeping writing notebooks in my class. I can't wait to read what inspires my class. Hopefully one of them will be me.