During the walks, we observed the children encounter a brick wall that elicited stories that brought the group together. As teachers, we wanted to listen to their response by creating a wall with which the children can interact. Noticing the children’s fascination with the various textures, shapes and sizes of the bricks that make up the wall, Amy, our West Wing Atelierista, offered acrylic paints and textured mediums so the children could expand their expressions as we listened.
Everly: I can’t see over it.
Santiago: I can if I stand up.
Everly: stands up and smiles as she discovers Santi on the other side.
Jack: There are some dark bricks too.
Santiago: It has white in the middle.
Rufus: The cement! The cement!
Helena: I drew the bumpy (as she draws the texture of a brick).
As we reflected on the wall work with the team and our pedagogista, Kris, we discussed how children are viewing the wall. Recognizing Santiago’s and Rufus’ delight in the cement that holds the bricks together and the children’s comments on how different the bricks were, we decided to use the wall as a metaphor for community. It is possible that the children are not seeing the wall as a barrier but as a strong foundation. We asked ourselves how this differs from our adult perspective of walls and are eager to learn more alongside these explorers. We plan to ask the children what their cemented connections look like, what they are individually bringing to the community, and listen for their recognitions of school as a place of strength.