Slice of Life Day 18 A little birdie

Throughout the month of March, I am participating in the Slice of Life Challenge, hosted by Two Writing Teachers. The goal is to write a daily post during the month. This is my second year to participate. 

www.twowritingteachers.wordpress.com

Yesterday, around noon, the weather appeared spring-like. 

A group of teachers took a short walk in search of common birds.

Soon we found this colorful guy.

He would not move from his perch, even when we walked under the high branch.

Teachers were able to locate and identify several common birds.

Mourning dove, robin, sparrow, red-winged blackbird and crow were spotted.

Hopefully the teachers will return to their classrooms, searching

for birds common to their schoolyards.

SOL Day #17 Birding for Common Core

Throughout the month of March, I am participating in the Slice of Life Challenge, hosted by twowritingteachers.wordpress.com. The goal is to write a daily post during the month. This is my second year to participate. 

 

Today a co-worker and I shared a presentation with forty educators. We discussed how teachers could use field guides to teach students the specific details required in reading informational text. Over the past year we created and used an activity with 3rd and 4th graders. Part of the activity was done in the classroom and the follow up was completed outside. Students were excited about their learning and anxious to extend it beyond the classroom. Today teachers displayed similar excitement.  We expect several educators to apply what they learned today by teaching their students how to use field guides and taking them outside in nature.

SOL Day #16

Yesterday we enjoyed the warm sunshine by sitting outdoors.
Today a blizzard kept us sitting indoors, making me a procrastinator.
Should I prepare for a snow day tomorrow?
Or should I practice my scheduled presentation one more time?

I can surely watch one movie and still have time to practice.
I also need to affix labels to 40 folders.
But I think I'll fix dinner first.
Maybe I need to check the weather forecast once more.

Has the cold front already passed?
I can't forget to print the mailing labels for those "Save the Date" cards.
They must be mailed tomorrow.
Some things can't be postponed.

SOL Day 12

Windy day, too windy for a prescribed burn
Sunny day, perfect for drying out the puddles
Working day, time to create folder labels
Preparation for science literacy

After work walk, feed and hug the Retriever
Evening, scheduled time for dinner with family
Night time phone sister regarding travel plans
Write post number 12 for Slice of Life Challenge

SOL Day 11

I took off work today so I could make the 3 hour trip with my husband to the eye doctor. He had a good checkup. Then we had lunch with our son and his fiancé. I left with 50 "Save the Date" cards to mail out to family and friends (wedding is in Oct). We took the country road and got home early enough to go outside with my dog (a neighbor took her out at lunch). The weather was warm and sunny. I took my iPad outside to purchase airline tickets for my sisters and me.  In May, we plan to attend a memorial service for our Aunt. By then it was time to start dinner. The beautiful day was nearing its end.

SOL Day # 10 Celebrating Birthdays

Yesterday we had a family get-together to celebrate several March birthdays. Even though I was exhausted from traveling, I was excited to visit with everyone, all 38 in attendance. We had a buffet with chicken, pork, salad, fruit, pie, and cupcakes, all quite delicious.

For one sister-in-law, it was her first venture out since her knee replacement surgery 3 weeks ago. Two grand nephews turned 2 years old on March 5 and 9, one nephew would be 23 on the 10th and his dad will be 70 on the 16th.

A niece and I sat with several of the young children to create with play dough. All three of the two year olds used plastic knives and learned to cut long strips. The 4 year old girl made flowers and decorated a Christmas tree. The 5 year old boy created a wall of bricks. The six year old, walked around the table without taking part. The newest baby slept as we took turns holding him. Great Grandpa watched over the group and shared in the story telling.

That isn't the end of March birthdays, we will have another party to celebrate those near the end of the month.  And then we will set a date for April.

SOL Day # 9 a wedding reception

Friday my sister and her family spent the night at my house. Saturday, two sisters with their husbands and one daughter and I left early to drive 4 hours so we could attend the wedding reception of our cousin's son. They were married at a small church on Friday.

The fog was heavy, but we arrived safely and had the afternoon to shop and explore the city. The venue was in the historic downtown section of the city. We had visited this city several times before but never ventured downtown. We were pleasantly surprised. We found lots of quaint shops amidst bars and restaurants. We plan to return this summer.

The reception was suited to fit the newly married couple. The music spanned decades. The couple met in college, several years ago. They became friends, even best friends. And life quickly passed until they were in their 30's. The two families became one. You could see happiness just looking at the couple. They beamed and we were witness to their love. It seemed very special.