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Dan Kegley/Despite the fierce image on his shirt and the expression of wonderment on Devin Wolfe’s face, Stevie Harris had a change of heart just after this photo was made as Darin Handy’s Burmese python crawled farther across his shoulders. “I don’t want this end!” he said, and promptly traded places with a friend holding up the snake’s midsection. Handy was among community members who participated in Marion Primary School’s annual Discovery Day Friday. 

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Day of tactile learning

By DAN KEGLEY/Staff

Chickens and a parrot. Snakes and lizards. A pony. Seeds. Herbs. Weather. Storybooks about animals and nature. It’s hard to list everything that was featured Friday at Marion Primary School’s annual Discovery Day, and those subjects are just a start.
The day is anticipated each spring by teachers and students alike for its hands-on learning opportunities. From farm animals to pets and pelts and turtles shells to look at and touch, the day brings kids face to face with animals and plants and with people who know all about them.
“I had nothing to do with its inception, but I’m so proud of Discovery Day,” said one of the school’s teachers, speaking privately. “I just love the day.”
That teacher also spoke fondly of the day’s autumn counterpart, Appalachian Day, focusing on the traditional culture of the region.
Both are similar in that they involve tactile learning; touching teaches. Both share knowledge about the region around the school. Both bring the community into interaction with the students and teachers.
Brenda Gwyn smiled constantly as she sprinkled fragrant herbs into children’s open palms where they could enjoy the fragrances.
Janice Orr and Eleanor Jones talked about animals no one has seen for 10,000 years and others gone even longer.
Dave Dierks, a television meteorologist, talked about his weather work in the studio and with his eye on the sky and instruments that keep watch for him.
Darin Handy in his gentle way let kids safely meet exotic animals.
Marion Mayor David Helms, who was not a presenter but was principal of the school before retiring and entering politics, paid a visit.
A bumper sticker once read, “Support Wild Life. Throw a Party.” The musician Jeff Campbell made a party of the activities in the cafeteria by demonstrating his new genre, blues guitar.
Another musician was set to take the spotlight Friday afternoon. Dollywood’s James Rogers has a long-standing relationship with Marion and its primary school. Rogers frequently appears in programs at the school, including helping the school celebrate its adoption of an eagle in rehabilitation several years ago.
Sally Moorer anticipated Rogers’s noonish arrival, two hours before he was to perform in a 2 p.m. assembly capping Discovery Day. She spoke warmly of the star and his connection to the school and community that are more than part of his act. She recounted the time she spoke to people who happened to know Rogers, and when she mentioned being from Marion, they told Moorer that Rogers often speaks of the town and its primary school.
Moorer also looked forward to Rogers’ show when the school would present him a plaque of appreciation.
“He’s done so much for us,” she said, including special performances at the school and Marion’s Lincoln Theatre and serving as a Christmas parade marshal.