The daily meanderings of a teacher

Bird Droppings December 21, 2016 It is the small pieces that seriously matter the most   “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 the last day of school before the Christmas…

Bird Droppings December 20, 2016 Why do we fail?   Many the times, I have wondered why people stop learning. I see it in 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 teacher approach…

Bird Droppings December 19, 2016 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 16, 2016 Understanding the symbols of life “Symbols express and represent meaning. Meaning helps provide purpose and understanding in the lives of human beings. Indeed to live without symbols is to experience existence far short of its full meaning. Ways of expressing and representing meaning include the symbol systems of mathematics, spoke…

Bird Droppings December 15, 2016 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 I was…

Bird Droppings December 14, 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.  It has been about seven years since we moved into this house and a new dishwasher. About a…

Bird Droppings December 9, 2016 Have YOU been Naughty or Nice   I have a friend doing acts of kindness currently. She committed to an act of kindness every day. I try and live my life that way and I do make mistakes. But each day now she posted her act. At first I was…

Bird Droppings December 8, 2016 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…