The daily meanderings of a teacher

Category: The Art of Learning: Using the Foxfire Core Practices as a pallette

  • Definitely teaching can be successful

    Bird Droppings August 24, 2016 Definitely teaching can be successful   So as I do on many mornings when I get the time I walked out to a quiet corner of my back yard. Nestled in a patch of weeds and brush I laid claim to my quiet spot and look toward the east in…

  • Culture is far more than just a word

    Bird Droppings August 23, 2016 Culture is far more than just a word   “Silence was meaningful with the Lakota, and granting a space of silence before talking was done in the practice of true politeness and regardful of the rule that thought comes before speech. In the midst of sorrow, sickness, death or misfortune…

  • If only we can make a difference

    Bird Droppings August 19, 2016 If only we can make a difference   I walked out last night to a partial moon it was exceptionally warm with the high humidity which has become the norm. However, between the clouds I did see a jet stream that was perfectly in line with what tiny faint hint…

  • What is the Sixteen Hour Syndrome and should embrace it or find a cure?

    Bird Droppings August 17, 2016 What is the Sixteen Hour Syndrome and should embrace it or find a cure?   I was away from my computer for several days due to a blown fan. Could be the mass production of hot air or downloading some photos from the weekend so I may be a bit…

  • Now my past studies are making sense

    Bird Droppings August 16, 2016 Now my past studies are making sense   My head feels like a sponge from even with taking sinus meds. We have hot weather and high humidity and my head always feels it. Perhaps why I was sitting thinking back to a day we as teachers in Walton County were…

  • Sitting, wondering, pondering and dishwashing

    Bird Droppings August 8, 2016 Sitting, wondering, pondering and dishwashing   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.  My son and daughter in law are going through this right now which made me think about this…

  • Bird Droppings August 4, 2016 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…

  • Why is it hard to think about compassion?

    Bird Dropping August 1, 2016 Why is it hard to think about compassion? Almost four years ago I was quietly sitting in a hotel room in South Carolina it was still dark outside and it was odd not being at school on a Friday. I so seldom miss a day of school. My middle son…

  • Doing what you love is not really work

    Bird Droppings July 29, 2016 Doing what you love is not really work “To love what you do and feel that it matters, how could anything be more fun?” Katharine Graham Starting back for teacher work days today and Graham’s statement for me has been true about teaching for all of my life. It seems…

  • In a world of data can we still use intuition?

    Bird Droppings July 27, 2016 In a world of data can we still use intuition? I mentioned to a fellow teacher I can tell when a child has emotional issues most of the time after observing a few minutes and listening. Granted observations are part of most evaluations but I was referring to an intuitive…