Two days felt like a very busy week.

The past week's teaching was an interesting mix. After two days I don't have a feeling of cohesiveness in relationship to the whole. So, I'll discuss the pieces.
Seeing the farmstead in the morning fog, or quiet, after-craft mellow, is somewhat magical. This environment is really wonderful, and I expect many children remember their special farmcraft experiences for a long time. The muffins were magic for my first graders on Friday. Amy H walking through the garden with her bushel of apples, and the fun of the toys and laundry, brought all of us to how real the "make-believe" of farmcraft is (and was).
I brought Stanley Clark's 7th graders to the prairie for our botany piece. Most were really excited to get off the trail. Dave (Englsh teacher) was concerned though. When we went into the lower area, he pulled me aside and asked if there were ticks to be concerned about. I haven't had one on me since coming here, so that was my response. Many of these children completed their writing assignments surrounded by tall grass, by themselves. That was an awesome study carrol. Could be a memory maker.
I have not been on a night hike since being lost alone in the woods when I lived in Southern Indiana. I was REALLY grateful for Ken and Laurina's leadership and inner gps's . During the nighthike, walking mostly with Karen (art teacher) at the back of the group, I recognized this as a long-time parenting habit of mine. I often walk or bike behind the others, able to see what's going on. This is probably only occasionally workable for teaching. It was good, that evening to have someone lead.