Literacy Practices and Assessment

Sunday mornings were reserved for breakfast with my dad. He use to share stories of his childhood and the obstacles he would sometimes face. It seemed dad always had an answer to my questions before I was even able to ask.

When I was old enough to question how my dad how gained so much knowledge he shared something that I could tell was important to him. Dad said as a young teen he would often find himself wandering the land and returning to the same rock bank against the ocean. As he would sit quietly and ponder over his unanswered thoughts he closed his eyes and expressed the same image would appear each time. He told me the image of the Killer Whale was his source of knowledge and direction. Each time he closed his eyes by the water and focused on the image in front of his eyes he had a moment of clarity and peace.

Now, I often find myself seeing this same image. I have found a place that is all my own by the water and it provides me clarity and direction. I like to believe this experience still connects my dad and I even after he is gone.

Once upon a time, the sky tired of seeing the same brown and green asked the earth for something to delight the eyes. The earth meditated on the sun’s request and soon produced a beautiful flower. All the birds and many insects were entranced by such vibrancy of colour and delicacy of form that they stopped by to visit this new creation. The hummingbirds made their nests in some of the flowers and rejoiced to have such a gentle and comfortable home. Soon this news spread and the Faerie Queen herself decided to make her home among the flowers. – The End