Bird droppings, June 1, 2026Translating, communicating, and coming soon: Funds of Knowledge I find it funny that I recall June 1 as I start my morning and text my childhood friend whose birthday is today. Many times, when I speak of June 1, I also point out it was the day our burro from childhood…

Bird Droppings August 7, 2025 A spiritual side to teaching can have an impact A Rainy Morning in Georgia may be a song title. We had gone almost twenty days with little or no rain, and many areas were in drought conditions, and a hundred miles east were recovering from floods caused by the last…

Bird Droppings May 27, 2026Should we plant annuals or perennials? “We now accept the fact that learning is a lifelong process of keeping abreast of change. And the most pressing task is to teach people how to learn.” Peter Drucker I have read so many times that education should be about teaching lifelong learners. Sadly,…

Bird Droppings May 17, 2026What do teachers know? “Teachers are one of the nation’s most important resources for providing the skills, values, and knowledge that prepare young people for productive citizenship – but more than this, to give sanctuary to their dreams and aspirations for a future of hope, dignity, and justice. It is indeed…

Bird Droppings May 14, 2026Why do we have public education? To educate all our Children. For all teachers, it is a few days to a few weeks till the end of the school year. Perhaps today is a day of action. Stand up for what you believe in. I read an article that referred to…

Bird droppings May 11, 2026Translating and communicating “Scientific management is always on guard against people who don’t fit securely into boxes, whether because of too much competency, too much creativity, too much popularity, or what have you. Although often hired, it is with the understanding they must be kept on a short leash and regarded…

Bird Droppings May 5, 2026 Constructivism, Montessori, Piaget, Vygotsky, Dewey, and others It has been almost six years since I had a heart pacemaker installed. At my last Cardiologist visit, I was told the battery was good for eight to ten years, and I feel considerably better. My heart rate had been as low as…

Bird Droppings April 25, 2026 Going to school again for the first time So often, as I start writing each morning, there has been a recent experience to build upon. It is using these previous experiences to create windows and doors for future ones. I was driving through our town, and a shop I had…

Bird Droppings April 17, 2026Trying to teach an unteachable child “Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our nation.” John F. Kennedy On this…

Bird Droppings April 16, 2026 I recall watching a hawk fly by as I drove to Athens and the UGA library One of my favorite memories: over the years, I have attended numerous track meets. I would take a few photos, as I tend to do. I recall about fifteen years ago, when I could…