They say a picture is worth a 1000 words....Here are my words. And my pictures. 
Yes...the illustrious Mr. Ford knew a "little bit" about cars and human nature. Most likely, he probably could have predicted 100+ years into the future, to know a little bit about how jazzed up the students of Eagle Cove School would be when faced with a bit of auto racing! What he might not have known about was the "clean" power of solar energy. But now, after our continuing Earth Week adventures, Eagle Cove School [ECS] students could probably teach Mr. Ford a thing or two about that!
With a little help from Solar Energy World, ECS got an inside look at how solar power works. Complete with a informational assembly, ECS students got a chance to clean energy and how solar power works. We got to see graphics, witness the sun in action through an experiment, handle a 6-cell solar panel, and ask a lot of questions. A few nuggets of wisdom we all learned: 
After all the questions had been asked and answers, we all headed out, with new sunglasses thanks to Solar Energy World, and set up around the perimeter of the basketball court. Here's what we all were waiting for!! 
The crowd, no doubt, went wild! Each car was allotted a "handler" to redirect the class car if necessary (and curve, they did!) As Kaitlyn Carr wrote in her final line of her article in the "Pasadena Patch:" "In a shocking upset, the pre-K/kindergarten car won and earned a class pizza party from Solar Energy World."
It's amazing what an old friendship with a former colleague (don't even ask how many years ago we taught together!!), an environmental education blog, Facebook, a school with a river shoreline and a view of the Chesapeake Bay, another school with a year-long study of said-mentioned bay, a hint of inspiration, and two months of prep time can give you.
The problem with a day like this is you want to be everywhere simultaneously! I was running the iPad QR Code eco-scavenger hunt which took us from one end of the campus to the other scanning bar codes and answering questions about the "3 Sisters in Native American heritage," finding our on-campus nest for "the fish hawk," and more. Given my lead in this activity, I was only with my own students for about 1/3 of the day. Additionally, I didn't get the pictures/sights I'd have loved to have gotten of the kids who were seining, nature walking, or making paper with the art teachers. 
But no matter--there were smiling faces at just about every turn... not to mention new friendships being made. Additionally, there was mutual energy in our multi-modal activities where senses were activated, music abounded, and art surrounded us; where we delved into environmental literature (and writing activities) with visiting author Maryland "Green" author Jennifer Keats Curtis, and we dove head-first into STEM activities surrounding nature studies. The outdoors governed the day and served as the catalyst for collaboration.
More than a play, "Jack and the Green Stalk" was the brainchild of our science and music teachers--a musical performance complete with guitar and student recorders playing "Stairway to Heaven" as the magic beans grew from the compost heap where they were tossed. The music continued while Jack (short for Jacqueline because her father always wanted a boy) and her musical rendition of a modified version of "Shall I Stay or Shall I Go." Name a better song to sing while trying to decide whether or not to climb a magic beanstalk (which, of course, you know she did).
It was probably what Jack found atop the "green stalk" that was most surprising to Jack... not to mention the captivated audience. The 8.5 foot giant, who was not only super-human (in both size and animation), but was also fiery, fierce, and full of "his" Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum. Did I mention the giant could chase Jack like a pro? Add in the "Magical Golden Bin" (hmmm... looking remarkably like our county's recycle bins)--"if only we ALL had one--look what we could do." Did I mention the Singing Harp? Oh yeah: Our science and music teachers/directors took Grimm's Fairy Tales to brand new heights!!
So: WHAT A DAY!! (Even better--we had a raccoon sighting on our nature trail! Check out the tiny guy in the center of the picture to the right!) Of course the weather couldn't have cooperated more. At the end of the day, we waved goodbye to our new friends, and we also started counting down the days until we meet again. (This, we're delighted, will be very soon as the ECS 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders trek down the Baltimore-Washington Corridor in a few short weeks to continue our friendship and exchange of ideas down GEDS's way.
I'm a little befuddled that Earth Day was a week ago already, and I'm only just getting back here! I think in the aftermath of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (which is what I like to call getting named the private school "Teacher of the Year" in my county) and an amazing Earth Week of daily celebration at Eagle Cove School, that's just how it happens. I have a lot stored up to write about, so it'll probably trickle in here over the next several days in several posts.
Solar Car Races ~ The Pasadena Patch has a nice article about our day at the races thanks to Solar Energy World and the cars our 5th graders built and each class designed. The Patch also has a nice video of the sun at work, pushing each vehicle closer and closer to the finish line!
An action-packed outdoor adventure day with visiting 1st--5th graders from Grace Episcopal Day School (from Kensington, MD). To help enhance their yearlong study of the Chesapeake Bay, Eagle Cove invited them to come and hang out with us for the day for: seining in the Magothy River, cast netting, geocaching with iPads on an eco-QR code quest (complete with an impromptu raccoon sighting), paper making using recycled paper, nature trail hikes, and a visit from local children's author Jennifer Keats Curtis. The grand finale... a student musical production from our 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders (written and directed by our science and music teachers) entitled "Jack and the Green Stalk." Oh yeah, this day alone is a whole other post!!
Songwriting from our annual favorite visiting musician, Linda Richards from New York. She has a knack for creating amazing songs with each class that are parodies of time-honored songs like "Row Row Row Your Boat." In a half hour, magic happens as the kids and Linda write an environmentally-based song that we then perform the next day at a fabulous Earth Week culmination concert that has us all moving and grooving in our seats. Yes, magic in motion, and a great way to end up the week!!
"He tells students that it doesn't matter who they are, what color their skin is, where they come from, or how much money their family has. Education is the great equalizer....Education and determination were all he needed to fulfill his dream of becoming a doctor."Dr. Ben Carson's philosophy for success in life is simple: "THINK BIG." Each year after reading this book to my students, I use his acrostic as one of our weekly dictations, just as I did this week, along with a quote:
"To THINK BIG and to use our talents doesn't mean we won't have difficulties along the way. We will--we all do. If we choose to see the obstacles in our path as barriers, we stop trying." ~Dr. Ben CarsonAs I was stating it for the kids, I was struck by how many of these traits (plus education and determination) had led me to where I am right now (including being on "this side" of my award, which still leaves me humbled and honored). All of my years of hard work helped me earn this recognition. Most certainly, I am filled with gratitude and the awareness that every experience in my past has led me to this place where I am now. In looking at it with this perspective, with this vantage point, you most certainly see the gifts... the gifted hands... that have set me here on this path. Moreover, it's clear what a teachable moment truly is!
Green Team Gazette's EcoMania Pinterest BoardWhen one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world. ~ John Muir
There's a ride at DisneyLand (one of the originals to the park since 1955, in fact) called "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride." That title seems appropriate for my week. I think I am at the place where not only has the magic and wonder of Disney has crept in, but yes, indeed, it has been a wild ride!!
Richard Louv (with his 2005 book Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder) and Governor Martin O’Malley have seen the problem—and its solution. Nationwide, Maryland stands out as being the first state to demand an environmental literacy graduation requirement. When outdoors, we can help our students build connections, sharpen their awareness, observe, collect, measure, write, do math, read, and learn about limited resources and global sustainability. We can approach student motivation and success through a “no child left inside” vision. In doing so, teachers integrate real-world situations as a means of developing critical thinking skills in our students, while immersing them in their surroundings. It is a “win” for all!
On behalf of true disclosure, I am a Titanic nut. I find it fascinating. I am drawn to it, like a ship drawn to an iceberg. Er, I mean...well, you know what I mean.
Anyhoo... the historic, gigantic, "Titanic" 100-year anniversary is upon us, along with pomp, circumstance, and the 3D re-release of the 1997Kate-Winslet/Leonard DiCaprio movie. Ranking 3rd in movie earnings this week, it's not too shabby for a fifteen year old movie.
Which leads us to IcebergAhead. This environmental website has the Titanic in mind. Created by Dennis & Judy Holm, the site focuses on social and environmental issues that America faces. The site name was chosen specifically to be aligned to the Titanic. Just as it was the lookout's job to be on iceberg patrol, it is our job to be on watch for environmental issues. Just as the Titanic was viewed as "unsinkable," the planetary problems Earth faces are often, unwittingly seen as non-issues. We are not recognizing our own environmental, "sink-worthy," self-created "icebergs." Let's hope we do before it becomes too late, and let's hope we have enough lifeboats aboard if/when we get there!! Again, case and point: The Titanic At 100 Years: We’re Still Ignoring Warnings, This Time It’s Climate Change, Says Director James Cameron.
Four-year-olds are wise--it's no surprise! 
Just when you thought it wasn't easy to be green, it just got a little easier with a new book for your book shelf. And, if you're in the Tampa, Florida area, you might just find yourself visiting with the book's author! |
| Stephanie Armenia with Elementary/Middle School Principal Trudi Buscemi & Carrollwood Day School 2nd Graders. |
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| Author Stephanie Armenia |
Here we sit, on the cusp of the Filmfest DC: April 12th to the 22nd. This 26th Annual International Filmfest will have more than 80 films will be shown in the 10 day period are being shown at more than a half dozen locations. The selection is huge, and you can download a copy of the film catalog here.
The Future of Education. Now, there's a big topic! Even bigger is answering the question of what kids need most from education. 
