On my way to the Okefenokee

The most enjoyable thing about travel is not reaching my destination, but the journey to get to my destination. As Tim and I drove down the back roads of Georgia, I realized the multitude of reasons that Georgia is my favorite state. The huge parcels of land yet to be developed calls me like a moth to a flame. I was finally on my way to the Fargo side of the Okefenokee Swamp.

On the way to Fargo, we passed through the area that was recently scorched by forest fires. Tim stopped and I took photos. As we continued down the road, we saw vultures having a feeding frenzy on a dead pit bulldog. While I prayed for the soul of the dog, I wanted the shot to share with my students. Death is indeed a part of life which most of my kids seldom get the chance to discuss.

TIME!

"More time, my queendom for MORE TIME!" My journal entries have been sporadic due to working late with my students and lack of time. As I sit in my office...officially on Spring Break, I realize how much I miss keeping my journal and blogs. Let's get started.

Much has happened since my last blog:

1) The EE Kids met with the oceanographers aboard the JOIDES Resolution. It was as awesome!
2) Our group was given permission and funds to visit the East Point Recycling Center...YEA!... on April 29, 2011.
3) We started growing the plants for our salad garden.
4) The chapter that I submitted for an soon-to-be-published book was ACCEPTED.
5) Our recycling effort is going STRONG!!!

I am having an amazing time learning with the kids.

Discovery Table:Activity #1

On Tuesday, March 1, our EE Kids were introduced to the discovery table. This feature allows the students to examine artifacts of nature and make observations in their journals. Yesterday, the students had to compare/contrast an empty wasps' nest to a dried sunflower seed pod with seeds intact from our outdoor classroom.
***ADD their comments HERE.***

Also, yesterday our outdoor session began in OC #1 (outdoor classroom) and ended in OC #2. The behavior of the students had much to be desired. Some were too loud because they have a difficult time separating OC time from playground time. Many made observations; however, some used the time as a chat session and really did not focus on nature.
Next Tuesday a journal rubric will be introduced and given to the students, as well as written behavioral expectations that will include a three strikes OUT policy. (NOTE: These written expectations will be copied by the students IF they have to spend time away from the group for behavioral infractions.)

We ended our session with time for free play on the playground. Next Tuesday, we will begin and end our time with journal reflections time (like with our first OC experience).

A Treasure or Just Another Tree

On one of my many power walks around the elementary school, where I work, I noticed a grove of trees. Occasionally, I will take a short detour under the cool canopy-covered pathway.

For about six months now, I have been carefully watching over a patch of trees that I call Smith Children's Forest or los bosque de los ninos, in Spanish. It sits along side one of Metro Atlanta's oldest highways, near my elementary school.

Over the years,

Project Learning Tree #46: Schoolyard Safari

Red-tail Hawk

http://www.kiwifoto.com/galleries/birds/red_tailed_hawk/

I think that I prefer the title Schoolyard Scavenger Hunt over Schoolyard Safari because the term safari conjures up big game hunting in Africa. While the students were on a hunt, it was a small-scale hunt for life or signs of life. Each student was given their own spiral nature journals...Thanks to Mrs. Jackson.

While we were outside today looking for life in our outdoor classroom (OC), we observed a red-tail hawk soaring overhead. It was a beautiful sight. One of my students even tried to sketch the predator in her journal, after attempting to coax me into drawing it for her.

Today was the second time that we found time to sketch in nature, but the first time that we combined sketching and a Project Learning Tree (PTL) activity. Schoolyard Safari gave the students a sense of purpose for their writing and observations. They used magnifying glasses to get closer perspectives on living things in nature.

The students were given two primary directives (like in Star Trek): 1) Respect all living things. (Observe, Record, Leave it alone) and 2) Be quiet in this outdoor habitat. Those are the two rules that I wish ALL people would learn when interacting with nature. One student even commented that it was great when students come outside and be quiet at the same time. After the activity ended, the students wrote silently about their experience. When it was time to stop writing, I had to practically force them to stop. What a wonderful world it is... when students want to keep writing.

2011 Great Backyard Bird Count

My First Bird Sketch

Yea! What started as simply enjoying the outdoors and watching my favorite feathered friends turned out to be my first four-day participation in the Great Backyard Bird Count!

My locations ranged from power walking at Rex Mill and RTS, to the WAWA Arbor Day celebration, to "down home" with my Mom and Grandmother and finally in my own backyard (making observations from my kitchen window). In all I spotted: 325 Sand Hill cranes, 2 Canadian Geese, 5 song sparrows, 3 Tufted Titmouse (mice?), and an Eastern Phoebe.

It was an awesome weekend for birding!

A New Day for Recycling at RTS!

Last Tuesday was the final time that the EE Kids recycled paper on Tuesdays. Beginning this week, paper will be recycled on each Thursday. This change came about because we have so many boxes being recycled from the cafeteria and NOT broken down that we are unable to place ANYTHING in the recycling container on Tuesdays. In the past, we were forced to hold the paper until Thursday and complete recycling at that time.

By switching to Thursdays, our EE Kids are able to FINALLY have one whole afternoon (4:00-5:30 p.m.) dedicated exclusively to environmental education activities. YEA!!!

Tomorrow, we will discuss keeping proper journal logs and hold our 1st EE session.