One of the activities that have kept me busy for a few minutes each day over the last month as been learning the Italian language. I genuinely like learning a foreign language and find it challenging but not frustrating. And, when it is not for a formal class but only for self-enrichment, one can walk…
Are you seeing the return of migratory birds? A few days ago, I noticed two Robins outside of our kitchen windows. I was excited to see them, as I know the return of these birds is a sign of spring! The following day I also saw three sparrows. Today, I saw two chickadees. The black-capped…
By, mid-afternoon yesterday, we heard of more local universities moving classes to an online platform due to the COVID-19 virus. While we understand this move, moving a course (or, worse – part of a course) online is not as easy as it sounds. While I’ve never taught online, I do have digital course experience. In…
Recently, I’ve given a lot of thought into the cultural phenomenon of talking over someone. You might know this better as interrupting. We spend a lot of time in schools today on character development and teaching kindness. And, while that is okay and I do understand the need for it, I think that in some…
Earlier this week, I was just getting ready to write the organization, Monarch Joint Venture, when my box of handouts arrived. If you have ever wondered what 500 bookmarks look like, check out the photo below! Spring is approaching fast and April, especially, will be busy with three different school-wide presentations. As I am a…
Since I’ve been traveling this week, I have not had a lot of time to write. Our days have been long – 12-16 hours of hiking, driving, or flying each day of the last four. When I can sit and think more, I’ll have some stories to share as well as some fantastic photography of…
As I have a student who will be graduating from high school this spring, I am interested in knowing the thoughts of others regarding the direction students will be headed after their graduation in 2020. My soon to be graduate is strong in mathematics and art, obviously using both sides of his brain. His propensity…
This morning I am wondering how many of our high school students are feeling. The school is instituting a new (changed) policy on cell phone usage. As I understand it, although there were guidelines before, cell phone usage in the classroom was left up to each individual teacher. Now, each department was charged with coming…
This morning I spent a little time investigating possibilities for choosing my one little word for this year. Although I have never done this before, the idea intrigues me. I am a self-proclaimed lover of words and believe in the power of well-chosen and extensive vocabulary. My friend and fellow blogger wrote on this subject…
Towards the end of my schooling in Environmental Education and Interpretation, we had to take a 3 credit course in interpretive media design. It was not an easy course. The technicalities of the chosen software program, InDesign, part of the Adobe Creative Suite, were intricate and time-consuming to learn and use. However, that said, I…