-
A series of paradoxes and bewilderment
Bird Droppings February 26, 2025A series of paradoxes and bewilderment I received the following in an email back a few days ago, a friend of mine sent it out, and as I read it the first time it was humorous. However, as I pondered then as a teacher, I read deeper into what was being…
-
I ponder educational genocide as this administration tries to gut education and or NCLB, norming children, only leaves the best
Bird Droppings February 25, 2025 I ponder educational genocide as this administration tries to gut education and or NCLB, norming children, only leaves the best I was huddled in my Carhart vest as I went outside to chase a sunrise this morning. I stopped along the way to think a bit about the up-and-coming defense…
-
Are we going in the right direction?
Bird Droppings February 22, 2025Are we going in the right direction? I reviewed my student’s online work status four years ago. There were a couple of surprises and some that were not. I thought that when the virus finally moved on and the smoke cleared, some grades would go up, and some would drop. We…
-
The Power of Example goes beyond the curriculum.
Bird Droppings February 21, 2025The Power of Example goes beyond the curriculum. “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 For nearly twenty-five years, I have…
-
Do we have a desire for freedom?
Bird Droppings February 20, 2025Do we have a desire for freedom? “Brute force, no matter how strongly applied, can never subdue the basic human desire for freedom and dignity. It is not enough, as communist systems have assumed, merely to provide people with food, shelter, and clothing. Human nature needs to breathe the precious air…
-
Can we teach a love of learning again?
Bird Droppings February 10, 2025Can we teach a love of learning again? This has been a perplexing time of my life out of the classroom, giving advice here and there to fellow teachers, parents, and students. I recall a car wreck in which a young man died, and his passenger, a good friend of my…
-
I am pondering about Dr. Carl G. Jung and “school reform.”I find the answer is simple: CARING.
Bird Droppings February 8, 2025I am pondering about Dr. Carl G. Jung and “school reform.”I find the answer is simple: CARING. “If there is anything we wish to change in the child, we should first examine it and see whether it is not something that could better be changed in ourselves.” Carl G. Jung Over…
-
Our example is how children learn.
Bird Droppings February 2, 2025Our example is how children learn. “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 For nearly fifteen years, I have looked to…
-
A morning meandering while thinking about the moon glowing.
Bird Droppings January 31, 2025A morning meandering while thinking about the moon glowing. Last night, as I looked out at the night sky, I honestly was not sure if the moon was glowing or not. It was too overcast. However, I started thinking back to tutoring a student trying to get caught up and return…
-
I am reading a friend’s book for the sixth time and each time find a new thought.
Bird Droppings January 29, 2025I am reading a friend’s book for the sixth time and each time find a new thought. I was so tired when I laid down last night after dinner and a bit of TV. I had spent the day driving around doing errands, going to my grandson’s concert, and attempting to…