Bird Droppings December 20, 2017 Is there topsoil left midst an erosion of soul?   “To be rooted is perhaps the most important and least recognized need of the human soul.” Simone Weil   “The need for roots,” I saw this idea earlier as I web surfed thinking and pondering this morning or perhaps as…

Bird Droppings December 19, 2017 Can teachers use learning as their pallet?   I wrote the basics of this article nearly thirteen years ago and at the time was thinking of an artist friend now a computer programmer who was trying to define her art as well as searching for her own meaning in life.…

Bird Droppings December 18, 2017 It is the small pieces that seriously matter   “Until you can clearly see each piece of the puzzle you will never be able to understand the whole.” Frank Bird, grandfather, teacher and ponderer   I am sitting here on my computer writing while many of my friends are awaiting…

Bird Droppings December 17, 2017 Should children be left behind?               “I believe that our own experience instructs us that the secret of education lies in respecting the pupil. It is not for you to choose what he shall know, what he shall do. It is chosen and foreordained, and he only holds the…

Bird Droppings December 15, 2017 There are always possibilities “Life has no limitations, except the ones you make.” Les Brown I was sitting talking with one of my sons yesterday remembering when I was their age. I should say trying to remember when I was their age that would be more appropriate. I was thinking…

Bird Droppings December 13, 2017 Why do we fail?   Many the times, I have wondered why people stop learning. I see it in my former high school students, in college and in graduate students. Almost as if a switch is thrown and poof no more learning, I have reached my limit. I had a…

Bird Droppings December 11, 2017 Pondering and dish washing   In a roundabout way several earlier readings on the internet got me thinking and pondering as I do. So often we take our technology for granted.  It has been about eleven years since we moved into this house and a new dishwasher. About a four…

Bird Droppings December 10, 2017 Being patient   For thirty nine years I have shared my life with my wife Pat. We have had hills and valleys and children and grandchildren and each day seems better than the last. So today I salute my wife Pat thank you so much for your patience with me…

Bird Droppings December 8, 2017 Example is such a simple lesson plan   “We taught our children by both example and instruction, but with an emphasis on example, because all learning is a dead language to one who gets it second hand.” Kent Nerburn, The Wisdom of the Native Americans   I have over the…