In Dialogue with Lines...
Lines...when we began this journey around our dialogue and encounters with the work of Chihuly, and particularly his glass sculpture called "Reeds," we were unsure where this journey would travel. Beginning with the concept of line seemed simple. Yet as we began our research, both teachers and children, we found the complexity of lines. Within this exploration, we have embraced a new idea or concept that we call line-ness (a new word that has evolved through this journey).
We soon realized that different disciplines provided different views of what a line is. For instance, the art perspective tells us a line can be where a drawing starts, or lines can tie everything together in a work of art. From the discipline of mathematics, a line is a long thin mark made by a pen, pencil, etc. In geometry a line is straight (no curves), has no thickness, and extends in both directions without end (infinitely). Each discipline -- music, dance, architecture, etc. -- offers a new perspective to our thinking about lines.
Over the course of the past four months, we have been framing our own meaning of line through our many dialogues with lines -- from drawing to painting to wire and all points in between. We have been in dialogue with lines through music and movement/dance. Each dialogue adds to the complexity of our theories, meaning, and conversations about the nature of lines and how they cross our lives and world. These perspectives from different disciplines present infinite possibilities like lines that stretch as far as our imagination can carry us.
I would like to share a personal reflection or perspective around the concept of line, which has evolved as I have listened to and observed your children interacting or "in dialogue" with lines. I find that lines often speak to us subtly. They may remain hidden and aloof, until suddenly they are called to our attention, as if our mind's eyes suddenly become sensitized to their presence and they come alive - vibrant and full of energy. They begin to jump out at us as if to say, "Here I am! look at me," when suddenly another line joins in the melody saying, "Pay attention and look at me!" Suddenly we find our mind's eye vying for where to look first, are where we ought to give attention!
It is as if each line has its own character, its own personality. Some are bold and strong; others are soft and gentle. Some lines trick or joke with us as they peek out and around. Other lines disappear before our eyes. At times lines run before us; other times they slip away behind us. Our eyes are often glued to the horizon where the lines might converge. Lines are everywhere!
Over the past few months the children have had a constant dialogue with the lines. We wanted to know what the children were wondering about lines. What were they seeing or feeling? We decided to pose to the children three questions -- What is a line? How long is a line? When does a line end? Although the questions seemed simple, they challenged the children's thinking.
We also posed the same questions to parents whose thoughtful, often poetic responses added significantly to the community dialogue:
B & O O.:
A line could be anything from a simple stroke of a pencil, to the cars stuck in traffic
on the H-1 freeway. Lines can be straight, or "bendy", or even circular. When B.
plays with his cars he sometimes lines them up side by side as if parked, front to
back as if stuck in traffic, with or without bends. After watching him do these things
I realized that he would always position the cars in a certain order or sequence to
form the lines. In his car play, lines have a certain order to them.
Another time when we were painting watercolors outside, B.'s brush became too
soaked with the water paint that a big glob of paint dropped onto his paper. He then
started gently lifting the corners of the paper to make the glob move around. He
had made the lines come "alive." He now saw the glob moving where it wanted to
move, creating these lines that were not perfect and in order. In the watercolor play,
he found the lines to come alive (with a mind of its own), and didn't necessarily need
to be in a certain order.
A line can be infinitely long, or at least longer than I can ever imagine. When I
started thinking about this question I first thought of how we look at the rings around
Saturn and the other planets. These lines are made up of gases, dust, and debris,
that stretch around these planets! What comes to mind also is how big or wide lines
can be. I've never thought so much about lines before.
When does a line end/stop? -------- I am stumped by this question. On one hand I
want to say that a line ends when the paintbrush comes off of the canvas, but I just
don't know. Lines almost never have and ending, even though the paintbrush
comes off of the canvas. When I've asked B. where do the grout lines on the floor
tiles end, he says they keep on going on and on and on.... The more and more I
think of these questions on B's terms the more and more I think that children have a
lot to actually teach us. Maybe the grout lines do go on and on and on......?
Z. & L. I.
What is a line? Something that defines the shape of the world.
How long is a line? As long as you can use or imagine. It can be really long when waiting in
line for Santa.
When does a line end or stop? When you're really in trouble :) When you reach your
destination or finish your thought. Tricky though, you can pick it up again.
A. & M. K.
What is a line? A line is a mark, either physical or not (such as a shadow) that creates a
continual strip. It can be any shape, straight or curved or anything in between. A line can
also be your speaking part in a play, or something to use with your fishing pole to catch fish!
How long is a line? The length of a line is as long as it is continual.
When does a line end? The line ends if you see it stop, or see a "break" in the line.
Some lines go on farther than you can see.
M. & R.
What is a line? A line is a path from here to there.
How long is a line? A line is as long as you need it to be.
When does a line end? A line ends or stops when you need it to stop.
C. & L.O.
What is a line? A straight or curved length
How long is a line? As long as it needs to be ^-^
When does a line end/stop? When it is no longer needed, when the "line material" (fabric, paint, ink, crack in a building, and the like) runs out, or when it circles back to its beginning
C & P. O.
What is a line? A line is a formation that is connected from a beginning point to an end point.
How long is a line? The distance between the beginning of the line to the end of the line.
When does a line end/stop? When the end touches the beginning of the line (becomes a circle).
I. & M.
What is a line? a one-dimensional, straight, collection of points
How long is a line? a line can be endless
When does a line end/stop? when the person drawing the line, building the line, creating the
line ceases drawing, building, creating....
M & T
What is a line? anything that connects one point to another
How long is a line? as short as a dot, as long as forever
When does a line end/stop? when its interrupted by a different medium
L & Y/J
What is a line? The connection between two points.
How long is a line? The distance between the two end points of the line.
When does a line end/stop? Line ends when it reaches the point opposite of the beginning point.
E & L.F.
To me, a line is about connections -- e.g., the connection between 2
points. How long is a line? It is as long as the distance between the 2 points, and it ends at the 2 points. A line could refer to other things, such as a musical line, which is a series of sounds that, connected together, may express a thought or idea.
N & T. N
What is a line? A line is something longer than it is wide. It could be straight or rounded, thick or thin, any color, texture, size.
How long is a line? The length of a line is measured from the start to the end.
When does a line stop? The line stops when there is a break in the line. The start and stop of a line are interchangeable or a matter of perspective unless you know which end was created first.
Z & C. O
What is a line?A straight object or representation on a 2d linear plane
How long is a line? As long as you want it to be
When does a line end/stop? When you run out of room
J & P & J P.
What is a line? A line is a relatively thin and narrow object that can be weaved to make
fabric or be used in knots. A line also acts as a border or divider between two or more areas. It can also be used to hold objects together.
How long is a line? The length of the line will depend on the required need of an individual or population.
When does a line end? A line may never be stopped. Infinite.
L, C & C Y
What is a line? A line is the shortest distance between two points.
How long is a line? A line can be infinite.
When does a line end/stop? When it intersects another line.
We find that each of us has our own view, our own theories or hypothesis of lines and their "place" in our world. In our unpacking of lines within our "project," we have gone into many different directions, adding layer after layer in our understanding of this complex concept.
We find as we add new meaning, we are also touching child after child as if each of the layers are communicating and speaking to the child's being. This is project work at its best. It isn't about ALL children doing the same thing but it is about tailoring and framing a project that touches and meets all children wherever they are in their learning. It is about capturing every child's sense of wonder and igniting it.
Our journey continues!
Our dialogue with lines through images...
