Happenings

I wrote in a post below that while we were on our Girl Scout camping trip this past weekend that we saw some tracks in the mud near our fire pit.  They looked just like this  and I thought at the time that they looked like Raccoon Tracks-but I didn’t think we had racoons in El Paso (we were after all only in the Upper Valley).  So this evening I started doing some reasearch on Wildlife in El Paso, and look what I found out…surprise!  Raccoons do indeed live in the desert!  And in El Paso at that!  I don’t know which species-but at least I know that I may have some skills in animal tracking!  Who knew?!

Lessons taught

Moments Shared

From one generation to the next

A simple hug

Safe and secure in your arms

Always know Grandpa,

You are my hero.

This past weekend I took 5 of my Girl Scouts on a camping trip of sorts. We didn’t travel far, only to the upper valley to Camp Pioneer (the local Girl Scout Camp) but it was still fun as it was the first time camping for some of the girls.  I really enjoyed watching my girls work together to set up the camp (they even set of the tent pretty much on their own-except for the height issue).  We spent Saturday working on badges-bead crafts, sewing sit-upons, learning to use a compass, etc-before dinner.  When supper time rolled around the girls helped build a camp fire, which I am proud to say lit very quickly and burned very well, so that we could roast hot dogs over the fire.  The height issue came into play again though as some of their arms weren’t quite long enough to reach their dogs into the fire!  After dinner we had to make ooey-gooey-sticky-smores-and we all ate more than our share.  YUMMMMMY!  We had noticed that clouds were beginning to roll in just before supper time, and right about the moments we were finishing our smores we began seeing lighting flashing off in the distance.  That made us decide to douse the fire and go on a quick nighttime “spider eye” hike to work on some more of our badges.  We grabbed the hose and started spraying out the fire just as the rain drops started to sprinkle down upon us, and then suddenly, as the last embers of the fire were laid to rest an enormous flash of lightening was followed by BOOM that traveled swiftly through the air.  We all immediately stared and each other and said “Never mind the nature walk!  We better get to the tent!”  We quickly turned off the hose and dashed across the campgrounds towards our tent.  No sooner had the last girl stepped in  than the downpour began!  I couldn’t believe how loud the rain sounded as it danced on the tent top.  The storm could have ruined our evening…but we didn’t let it.  Instead of going on a nighttime walk or singing songs around a campfire…we huddled up inside the tent and sang songs around the lantern in hopes that the rain would let up soon.  Sadly though, it didn’t.  It rained off and on all evening and into the wee morning hours.  Were we disappointed?  Nah, it only added to the adventure!

As a child, I was often told what a great reader I was, yet I never saw it. It never occurred to me that I was reading books beyond my age. I wish now though, that someone had had discussions with me like those that I am having with my students today. In reading today, we spent some time reviewing the various genres of literature and discussing why readers should read from a variety of genres instead of focussing on just one. For me, my focus as a child was on realistic fiction and a single series of historical fiction, but I never branched out beyond those areas. I can see now how many that limitations I imposed upon myself by doing so.  I’m trying with my students though to keep them from getting boxed into a specific genre, although I can see it happening in certain children. There are the kids who want to read only biographies, and those who thrive on a specific era of historical fiction, or maybe it’s those who are only willing to read fantasies. I don’t want to see them bogged down into that one genre and then find themselves in a rut. I tried to keep that idea in mind when selecting books for my guided reading groups this week, and in doing so am ending up exposing myself to books that I never read as a child…yet I wish I had! For one group, we’re starting the year off with My Side of the Mountain. I never read this book when I was younger, but already in the first chapter I’m wishing that I had! I have seen so many personal connections just in the preface and first chapter. So why did it take me until now to read it? Will my students appreciate reading now as much as I am, or will it just be another entry in their reading logs? If today was any indication, they are as excited about the book as I am…several wanted to take it home to read in addition to their regular homework and books they are already reading. I suppose we will only know as we move towards the end of the book…only time will tell.

Quick Post…it’s late and I need to go to bed!

But first a question-boys and girls-what author’s  tool do you see in my title?  Now I’ll apologize-you aren’t babies-far from it!  But because I’ve known so many of you since you were babies, then you will always be “My Babies” (just like my own kiddos).  Besides, it gave me a chance to see if you can recognize an author’s tool!  So-do you?

This first exploration into blogging with my students has far exceeded my expectations.  After the initial set up (which was very tedious) my kids got into their blogs, most have posted their first entries, selected their themes, and many have commented on their friends blogs in our class and others.  They really seem to be enjoying it and I have been pleased to see that they are not just saying “Good Post” in their comments.  They are beginning to actually comment on the writing itself, such as “That was a great ending”.  This entire experience truly has the potential to expand their writing tremendously.

I’ve had a few parents post comments on their own children’s blogs and their friends (thank you!) and I have invited several of my friends throughout the community & country to visit our blogs and comment.

I can’t wait to see what this becomes!  I’ll say it again…WOW! It’s going to be a great year!