Bird Droppings August 3, 2012 Don’t cross word puzzles take some time?               Towards the end of the last school year one of my students was working on a history assignment and had to define bias. She was not sure which definition was correct and asked my opinion. I explained in history bias is…

Bird Droppings August 2, 2012 Why do more than simply belong?   “Choices are sacred to life’s journey. They lie along the path that all of us must follow for ourselves. An important Cherokee lesson is that if you involve yourself in any decision, you also experience the consequences of that decision.” Dr. J.T. Garrett,…

Bird Droppings August 1, 2012 Is not doing the best teacher?               It has been an interesting week. I did my usual going into school and working in my room. I spent a good bit of the mornings taking advantage of weather and light and getting some rather interesting photographs. Later yesterday afternoon after…

Bird Droppings July 31, 2012 Why do we use the word sacred?   “Teachers who do not take their own education seriously, who do not study, who make little effort to keep abreast of events have no moral authority to coordinate the activities of the classroom.” Paulo Freire, Pedagogy of freedom               I have…

Bird Droppings July 30, 2012 How do we know we are grown up?   “The day the child realizes that all adults are imperfect he becomes an adolescent; the day he forgives them, he becomes an adult; the day he forgives himself, he becomes wise.” Alden Nowlan   Earlier today a former student posted on…

Bird Droppings July 29, 2012 Are we not always getting ready?   “In the government schools, which are referred to as public schools, Indian policy has been instituted there, and it’s a policy where they do not encourage, in fact, discourage, critical thinking and the creation of ideas and public education.” Russell Means   I…

Bird Droppings July 28, 2012 It is not an Emerson day?   Last night I was extremely tired after playing with my granddaughter and cooking supper for everyone. While just sitting writing a few minutes ago my wife called me to see the sunset which was gorgeous. Our granddaughter was in her arms and showing…

Bird Droppings July 27, 2012 Why is experience the greatest teacher?   “Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.” Douglas Adams, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy               What a way to start with a…

Bird Droppings July 26, 2012 Did you know trees can talk?   “Did you know that trees talk? Well they do. They talk to each other, and they’ll talk if you listen. Trouble is, white people don’t listen. They never learned to listen to the Indians so I don’t suppose they’ll listen to other voices…

Bird Droppings July 25, 2012 Should we even consider ignorance a part of the journey?   “If I want to justify my existence, and continue to be obsessed with the notion that I’ve got to do something for humanity — well, teaching ought to quell that obsession — and if I can ever get around…