| Tammy Christensen |  |
Glimmer in the Grass
If on an early summer morning, as the sun begins to stretch lazily over the horizon, you stumble out your back door—yawning and rubbing sleep from your eyes, perhaps to water the flowers or to let out the dog—and you happen to notice a momentary glimmer in the grass, don’t be fooled. Don’t mistake it for a dewdrop. And most importantly, don’t ignore it, for if you do, you may miss a special opportunity.
Take time from your summer lull to explore the sparkle more closely. Pay no heed to the flowers that need watering, the dirty laundry, the home repairs. Set aside your plans to read that novel. Instead, quietly explore the flicker. Get down on your hands and knees or, better yet, lie flat on your stomach and separate the blades of grass gently until you find the light’s source—a miniature tree.
Don’t be deceived by its size. For although in your hectic world this tree may seem insignificant, in its own kingdom the tree holds great knowledge. Don’t be afraid to enter this world. Lean closer and tumble softly through its branches—like Alice through the rabbit hole. You may be surprised with what you learn. I have taken the tumble, so believe me.
The kingdom is called the National Writing Project Network. The tree is the Oregon Writing Project (OWP). Beneath the tree and upon its supportive branches, workshop participants learn, share, take risks, and grow, enabling the tree to flourish.
I tumbled into the tree by accident after a little push from a peer. With the wonderful techniques shared by my OWP classmates, and the ideas gleaned from the speakers and required readings, I leave the workshop inspired to add pizzazz, spark, depth, portfolios, and peer reviews to the current third grade writing curriculum. I also plan to share what I have learned with my co-workers and students, permitting the OWP tree to thrive even more.
So if you think you see a glimmer in the grass, take time to search for the OWP tree. Once you find it, feed from the well-nourished roots, find the perfect crook to support your learning, swing freely from the tried and true tire swing, and rest your mind in its refreshing shade. The tumble and time are worth the growth.