Final Post!

Floating Mat!

I wasn't quite sure what Bio 340 would be like or what would be expected of me. I wasn't quite sure what the set up would look like or what the expectations of me were. I am sure that Bio 340 was the most engaging and exciting education class I have taken at GC. This class showed me how funnel and focus intense student energy into something educational. This class showed me that even things that are hyped up by society to be disgusting are just trying to live their lives and are not that bad (ticks, snakes, coyotes...). This class showed me it is okay to come back with a group of students that are a little dirty. Most of all, this class was an exercise in attention. It was an exercise in paying attention to what all your students are doing, what is happening in the environment, what is in the environment that may heed your attention (which ties back into what the students are doing), and what you are doing. 

More Floating Mat!

Snake Show!

Final Blog!

I started today out with some great adrenaline for the final session! Stacy Squirrel and I partnered up and we had an awesome hike. The kids were so excited and the parents were asking just as many questions. We even got to practice our Spanish in some explanations! The sun was great to us and it was a perfect closing hike.

And what followed after, was just as awesome. In the midst of the trampoline like ground, with water all around me, I was not sure if I enjoyed mat hiking. But upon completion, with my soaked shoes and my sweaty face I felt accomplished and unbeatable! Hiking on water was about the coolest thing ever.

Beyond today, I know that I will miss my time at Merry Lea and will treasure the skills it has taught me. Each day I acquire more ideas for the class room as well as knowledge about the outside. I have also been reminded of the sheer joy of playing! All month, after classes I get a chance to play outside with my friends and it is just great. This class as a great reminder that you are never to old to play!

Thanks Paul!

Thursday Third-graders!

On Thursday, we had a huge group of third-graders for an exploring nature hike. It was a great 'almost end' to Merry Lea, because it felt classic. Returning to the exploring nature hike, like we started with, seemed to give the experience great closure. We ran it solo and I felt in control and connected to my energetic group.

We started the hike with one of my favorite observation ideas: taking photos! The kids take turns making each other into cameras in order to to share a beautiful sight with someone. Then about half way through I tried something new and had the kids find an observation spot! We sprawled out across the shoreline of onion bottom and the students shared their stories of peaceful spots and great discoveries! We even ended the hike with the classic predator/ prey game.

 Walking the trails with third graders and answering their numerous questions, I was also able to reflect on how much I had learned and how much the trail was changing. Even though, we were learning so much about the area, it was a great reminder that the learning never stops.

Pictures!

I've had a lot of trouble getting my pictures to post.  So here they all are in one blog!

1.  Kayaking.  I used this as my cross training workout for track.  It was both a workout and relaxing.  It was nice to take advantage of a free afternoon at Merry Lea.

2.  Kayaking with Emily was really fun.  It was great to catch up.  We were on a mission to find the goslings.

3.  We found the goslings!  They were so cute.  Definitely one of my favorite parts about Merry Lea.

4.  Listening to Stacy talk about Don, while Emily waited to talk about Obsy.  I love how engaged and excited the kids were about the snakes.

5.  Ryan got Sippy out early because we had never used her in a snake show before.  Don was at the farm.  She must have really liked him because she knotted herself into a heart on his lap!  

6.  I held Sippy for a long time after the snake show.  She was so chill!  I am over my fear of holding snakes!  For now...

7. We found a turtle with our first group today.  The students loved it!  Unfortunately we only found it with the first group and not the last three.

8.  This girl was awesome.  She asked a lot of questions and was really into everything.  She was with the central noble seventh graders.  She wanted me to take a picture with her.

9. Learning how to peel trees.  This was really neat.  We were at the point where he wasn't sure how well it would peel.

10.  It ended up peeling really well.  This is such a cool process.  It was really fun to watch.

11.  The day Ryan first discovered bed straw.  Technically, Paul started it all.  Such a proud face after successfully sticking bed straw on every member of our class.

12. Paul collecting methane gas.  Despite seeing this multiple times, I still think it is really cool every time.  And the students love it!

13.  We found a baby turtle after the swamp gas on my last day.  Under the tree on the hill ryan almost stepped on it but I noticed it before he did.  We named it Troy.  He was really, really fast.  And adorable.

Ride on Nature's Trampoline!

Starts with an S

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txG5XPD1GBQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0JDc7v2-Sk&feature=youtube_gdata_player

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5rV6nVuruY&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Forever Young

So, here it is. My last day of school ever. I am not a processor, so this moment is not hitting me as dramatically as it may seem. But 18 years in school! That is a LONG time, and I do not really know what is next for me.

What I DO know is that I had a great final class of college. The group today was awesome, with lots of little smarties. We had fun hiking and I finally got to see (and almost catch) a snake. We also saw lots of other kinds of critters, and learned a lot together. It was a good way to end the class.

Hiking to the mat was also awesome. I got soaked, but I loved it all. I could have never imagined something like that even existed.

Lastly, I made lasting friendships and great memories. I really really loved the "Forever Young" song, and even teared up because it hits a little close to home now that college is over. I'm tearing up right now writing this. Thank you, Paul, for a wonderful learning and growing experience. I will take what I have learned and continue staying forever young.