The Promise of a Window

Every morning when I entered my classroom, I opened the shades to our large windows. I don't know why that's the first thing I did, but it became a habit I enjoyed. Few people were at the school when I arrived, so opening the window shades became a personal, quiet ritual.

I always loved to tape up artwork in our windows. Parents dropped their kids off on this side of the school every morning and returned to the same spot at the end of the school day. Showcasing artwork there made sense. 

What makes window art made by kids so inviting? In the fall, our windows were adorned with crayon melted wax paper art, paint-stamped pumpkins, and a collection of fall leaves we found from nature walks. By spring, we had bean science experiments in bags, flower collages, and symmetry butterfly paintings. I'm not sure why, but remembering their work makes my heart skip a beat.

I realize now that the windows were special for my students and I. They represented something that we can all relate to when we think of early elementary school.

I feel the need to point out to all non-teachers how special a window is. If you're reading this and you are a teacher, you may understand what I mean. It's the first thing you look at in a classroom. It frames the seasons throughout the school year and symbolizes imagination.

With so much going on in education, from policy to standards to discipline and more, I like to think of the simple things that mark an inspiring learning space. Windows are important. Take notice of the power of beautiful light that moves through the room throughout the day and the possibilities to display artwork. Classroom spaces need inspiration, but you don't necessarily need to add it. You just need to appreciate what's there.