Gratitude

Today, Opal School gathered for our annual Gratitude Celebration.  One of the students in Magnolia, Oliver, says that gratitude isn’t saying thanks for a gift that you are given – it’s giving thanks for what you already have.  Each classroom expressed that appreciation to each other through gifts.

Cedar’s words and images were linked to their encounters with the natural world.

Alder wrote a book of gifts for each of the classrooms.

Maple Room provided us new ways of thinking about community.

Magnolia cracked open gratitude and found the worlds that live within it.

Opal 3 stitched squares, transformed into pillows.

Opal 4 identified characteristics of friendship in Virginia Wolf and translated them into tokens to hang in the classrooms.

I’m grateful to be constantly surprised and inspired by the quality of ideas developed by Opal School students and teachers – and to have the opportunity to share those stories far beyond our walls with educators whose important work is enhanced through those stories.

And you?  What are you grateful for?  How are your learning communities expressing their gratitude?