A-Park Questing We Did Go

A-questing we will go!

These were the opening words for my first GTG post on MD Park Quest back on June 1, 2010.  It was then that I embarked on sharing some of the Park Quest adventures of "Team Dabrowka" (which during the next 2 seasons morphed into a better-named "Team Green Gators").  Season 3 was our first year of Park Questing. 

That was two years ago, and now yesterday Park Quest wrapped up it's fifth season, bigger and better than ever! Each year, the grand finale--the annual "Rendezvous"--is a special day o'quests for those families who completed at least 10 of the 24 quests. It is a day for the serious outdoorsy folks to shine. 

 

And boy oh boy, did we all shine, as bright and wonderfully as yesterday's sun!  Patapsco State Park hosted the day-long event of 20 mini-quests, including bike riding, fishing-rod casting, leaf rubbing, geo-caching, letter-boxing, tree-identifying, animal sighting, fact-finding, game playing, learning, and laughing.  All of us embracing the PQ motto:  "Where a family becomes a team!"
 

Maryland Park Superintendent Nita Settina, in her opening remarks, quoted the recent study about how "awe-inspiring moments in nature reduce stress."  Park Quest most certainly worked to weave in a multitude of those moments into this year's Rendezvous! Richard Louv, author of "The Last Child in the Woods" and "The Nature Principle" would delight in so many families taking aim against "Nature Deficit Disorder." 

In fact, during the ceremony, we learned some pretty fascinating facts as to just how many people were defying nature deficit disorder!

• Combined this summer, over 4,000 quests were completed;
• This year's Rendezvous was by far the largest of all five years;
• 235 teams qualified for the rendezvous;
• Over 1,100 people joined in the yesterday's fun;
• Of the 1000 teams, approximately 2 dozen qualified as "Super Questers," completing all 24 quests (making our Team Green Gator's 10 quests feel kind of meager!!) 

With the sponsors numerous and well-known (REI, Diamondback Bicycles, and Deep Creek's WISP Resort, just to name a few), everyone was waiting excitedly to see if their lucky raffle ticket would be drawn. The prizes were many--from adventure trips, bikes, camping gear, and more.  It was made even extra exciting as former Baltimore Sun Outdoors writer Candy Thomson was pulling out tickets.  Piped as Park Quest's unofficial sponsor, Candy has written many times in the past about the beauty and glory of Park Quest.  Some of her most-treasured writings occurred during Season 3 and 4 when she wrote about her 24/7 experiences of hitting all 24 quest parks in a 7 day experience!  Candy also has written in the past from various Olympics, but her 24/7 feat alone makes her a true Park Quest Olympian!!

We all got the opportunity to be Olympians in our own ways, both during this year's Park Quest season and yesterday's Park Quest Rendezvous.  We faced challenges.  We battled the great outdoors.  We sometimes roughed the elements, meaning it wasn't always pretty. But, it always left you with a sense of great accomplishment.  Families came together, tackling a common goal by way of riddling through the quest questions and grabbing hold of new experiences.  Yes indeed:  Park Quest is where a family becomes a team!  That, right there, makes champions of us all!

Squirrel-shaped word cloud from Tagxedo, using text from my GTG 6/1/2010 Park Quest post, pics from the sights and scenes at 9/29/2012's Park Quest Rendezvous.  Park Quest T-shirt from Team Bay Boughey's PQ shirt they designed for this season!

Oysters Ahoy!

Oysters are nature's bay-filters and water-cleaners.
Young PreK'ers to 5th graders carried oyster
Spat from truck to pier, to the edge of the Magothy River.
Totalling 2,600 lbs, these oysters found a temporary home in
Eagle Cove School's neighboring river on Sept. 7th, 2012.
Radical teamwork at it's finest! Working together to
Serve our community and help build a better Chesapeake Bay!

To learn more about Eagle Cove School's involvement with the Magothy Rivery Association and Marylanders Grow Oysters Program, check out the September 18th article in the Pasadena Voice Newspaper:  Eagle Cove School Students Place 2,600 Pounds Of Oysters In Magothy

 

 

 

Pictures from my Camera @ Eagle Cove School, Friday, Sept. 7th, 2012.

Wedded Bliss & Blissful Recovery à la Nature

In our clan, we are coming off a full-family, whirlwind wedding weekend of rehearsal parties, bridal party beautification, and a gorgeous ceremony of two people that literally shine of life and laughter. Two people who I am thrilled to call "family" (by way of in-laws,"outlaws," and upside-downs)! We followed up the wedding by hosting a late night after-hours at our house, and we followed that up with an all-day after-wedding pool party at friends so the family times and fun could continue.

It was a full weekend!!

So today, was our first day out, post-festivities; a non-event day of recovery before the reality hits us full-force tomorrow. Given that, I spent all day outside after an early morn at church followed by a fabulous brunch at a local Irish pub. With the average temp today somewhere in a the idyllic range of low to mid 70s, my lounge chair was a true and total nirvana. The rustling of leaves in the breeze, the squawking of birds arguing over the bird feeder, and the warmth of the sun on my face.  A snooze here and there, a phone chat with Mom, and the sounds of nature surrounding me--pure and utter bliss!!

I feel that the full nature of my own personal "festivity recovery" lies in "nature" itself. I have felt myself having a "What Would Richard Louv Do?" kind-of-day. Louv, author of The Nature Principle and creator of the concept "Nature Deficit Disorder" is a big proponent of finding your way outdoors in order to find yourself.  One of my favorite quotes from his book was on page 28, where Louv detailed a 9-year study (started in the 1970s) by environmental psychologists Rachel and Stephen Kaplan:

"Furthermore they have found that the natural world is a particularly effective place for the human brain to overcome mental fatigue, to be restored .... Nature simultaneously calms and focuses the mind."

That's what I needed today after a very full weekend, and I'm glad I made the time, outside, to find it.

With the lasting effects of the Irish pub brunch on my mind, and the vision of the groom's Celtic-style ring, it reminded me of two wonderful, and very fitting Irish blessing that are often used in weddings, and that seemed just made for the day, as a follow-up to my wedding weekend:

May the road rise to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back,

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

The rains fall soft upon your fields and,

Until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

May the longtime sun shine upon you

All love surround you

And the pure light within you

Guide you on your way

Akal, Akal, infinity....

Akal, Akal, no end.

Photos from my camera, and Irish blessings from http://www.acelticwedding.com/.

Back in the Business of Being at School

We have been in school a whopping 9 days here in the post-Labor Day 2012 era. (Yes, I do consider myself luckier than most in that I know a number teaching-buddies nationwide who have had very early August start dates.)

At day #9, we are still newbies this year.  We have barely scratched the surface.  Yet, on behalf of seasoned-teachers, I know that in only 9 days, we know a lot.  We can see a lot of academic, social, and behavior strengths, and we already have the wheels a-turning on how to shape or polish anything we might see cropping up.

I look at my own personal 9 days, at my own li'l "green" school... and I'm a bit amazed at the items we've both tackled and accomplished here in this "4-day-week-topped-with-a-5-dayer."  In addition to getting into the groove, figuring out class routines and expectations, and building stamina (the teacher's!!), we're already hitting the academic regime with gusto!

I am proud to say, that in these first 9 days, I've already done a nice job of hitting both the #edtech and the #eco side of life.  My 3rd graders have learned the difference between asking if they can "play" on the iPads or "learn" on them. (There IS only ONE right answer!)  They've used the iPads for building their math facts, and building a motivational poster (using the Motivational Poster app--which I love) for our school-wide first quarter theme of "Kindness."  They've been busy on the computer taking the Scholastic Reading Inventory to discover their Lexile.  They've created both a "word tapestry" using Wordle and a personal Timeline using "Teach-nology." They've watched (and begged for more) the animated video of the Bayeux Tapestry on YouTube.  I've given learning style assessments and reading assessments.  We've counted classroom collections of Capri Suns as part of our weekly upcycling program with Terracycle. We've sent our class compost to the 5th graders who weigh and carry it to our campus compost heap.  We've gone outside more than just recess--we've gone on outdoor scavenger hunts (or "Campus Quests," similar to the many Maryland Park Quests my family has done throughout the years) to work on team-building.  And, we've taken part as a school for the 4th year in a row to haul oyster spat to our neighboring Magothy River as a future pick-up spot for the Marylanders Grow Oysters project. 

Not to mention, my daughter accompanied her 4th and 5th grade peers to Echo Hill Outdoor School for a 3-day outdoor education/community building annual field trip.  Tonight, she couldn't wait to show us how she had learned to build a fire, all on her own!!  Not a "fake fire" (as she called it, with lighter fluid), but a "real fire" (with "timber, kindling, and true fuel.") And what a "real fire" it was!!

Day 9?!  In some ways, it's hard to believe, when you look at all we've done. Yet, I think that is the beauty as a 21st Century Teacher.  Even more so, when you are given the autonomy to do what you need to do with your class of visual/hands-on learners, who are largely "Nature Smart" (as determined on a Multiple Intelligence inventory that I have the kids do during their first week of homework). 

As teachers, every year we are reminded that our students come to us from many different places, at many different levels, with many different sets of expertise, and many different needs.  It is up to us to take that ball and to run with it.  Teaching through the environment, and teaching through technology are two great ways to capture that momentum, and show our students what a true love of learning is all about!!

 

 

All photos from my camera.

Saving the Earth: One Step at a Time

On the flip side of a full week, the FIRST week of school, I've got that deep kind of tired that seems only applicable to teachers on the tail end of their first full week of school.  Given that, an infographic seemed to be just what the doctor ordered on a Friday night.  This is a great one to help yourself darken your own shade of green!



Infographic from http://www.neontommy.com/news/2011/04/make-earth-day-everyday

On the Cusp--A New School Year On the Horizon

It's funny the realizations that crop up at the mere posting of a Facebook Status.

I was writing about my back-to-school brood that is nestled safely in bed for the start of school tomorrow, the day after Labor Day.   My comment:

"We're on the cusp of 3 F's: First, Fifth, and my twentyFirst year of teaching."

It was then that it hit me... this would probably be the final year of all 3 of us being in the same school. Middle School next year for my daughter, which is then a short commute to High School, then College, and Beyond.  My last year of classroom "Spy Cam" for two (which is what I call it when I do a  classroom "drive by" solely to peek in one of their classrooms.  My last year of personally knowing both of my kids' teachers on an intimate professional level of being fellow teachers with them.  My girl will be doing all of those things you do when you "rule the school" at the top of the class: 5th grade class trips, taking out compost (never a 5th grade favorite), being the school leaders, and graduation speeches.

If I know anything about time after all of these years, it's that it goes faster every year...so no doubt, this one shall fly.  Ready or not, here it comes.  Moral of the story:  not sure I'm ready... but ready or not, here it comes.


I remember starting here at my "green" school, 6 years ago, with such a great pressure because it wasn't just for me, but it was to become the "home away from home" for my then-kindergartner and my then-2 year old who would follow in the backpack-path of his sister.   I chose right--for both myself and my peeps.  I have enjoyed seeing them embrace nature, science, friends, and academic-wonderland here at my "green" school.  I have found my personal teaching niche, and teacher friends I adore.  My kids--and my family--have done the same.

Yes, I am on the cusp.

On the cusp of a new school year, my last year of Spy Cam.

On the horizon of the Magothy River!

Insert big "kid hug" here!

Make It an Outdoor, Unplugged Kind of Labor Day!

As I was kicking my kids outside (and off the electronics) this morning, I was pondering how this is our last weekend of "freedom"--our last weekend before school starts.  Brought to mind this infographic!!  May you have an outdoor, active, and unplugged Labor Day!!

Infographic from http://www.swingsetmall.com/pages/Keeping-Kids-Active,-Outside,-%26-Unplugged-Infographic.html

The Principles of Nature ~ Balancing the Tech

I have always been a stream-of-concsiousness kind of thinker... where one thing mentally leads you from on thing to the next.

Here, on the cusp of my first day back to school tomorrow (for my 21st set of "back-to-school teacher meetings" tomorrow), I'm finding myself in that kind of wistful mode of "reflection." As I ponder
"Teaching" and "Education" in general, I'm also simultaneously landing on my regular themes; my roles beyond being "Third Grade Teacher." Namely, all things "Eco" and all things "EdTech." 

Which of course, in thinking of school, naturally it gets me thinking of books.

I feel firmly that there are a few books that everyone in life should read, for their value goes far beyond entertainment alone. A mandatory life reading list, if you will.

Kate diCamillo's "Tale of Despereaux" is one. (Although I must say her "Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane" is equally exceptional with its own incredible message for life.)  Also in the category of amazing books and messages is Randy Pausch's "The Last Lecture."  Likewise, there "The Little Prince" which beautifully leads one to see clearly what is important in life--which is love.

I also adore anything by Dan Gutman (in particular his compilation "Recycle This Book").  Dan's books are always funny, sometimes irreverent, and certainly powerful in building book lovers out of reluctant readers.

Then there is the book I just finished tonight, which marries my two professional loves:  Eco and EdTech.  It, also belongs on the list of lifelong required reading as a road to enlightenment. Richard Louv's book "The Nature Principle:  Reconnecting With Life in a Virtual Age."  This is his follow-up to his equally incredible (and list-worthy book) "Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature Deficit Disorder."

 In "The Nature Principle" Louv poses that we are in the middle of an "info-blitzkrieg" [page 22].  We live in a world of electronics galore, which leads us to a state of "continuous partial attention" [p. 22] as we are distracted by texts, Facebook updates, and Smartphone interruptions. We need to combat our over-attention to the tech-world and balance the unbalance out by reconnecting with the natural world in order for "human health, well-being, spirit, and survival" [p. 3].  We need to load up on "Vitamin N: Nature" [p. 47].



One of my favorite quotes in the book is actually a hundred-year-old quote from environmentalist John Muir, which still holds true (perhaps more so) today:

"Thousands of tired, nerve shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wilderness is a necessity; and that mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life."

Yes, we all need a little bit of nature therapy, and perhaps even a prescription like the one from Richard Louv's Children and Nature Network Website (where you can get your own downloadable copy):

 

So I come back 'round, in my reflective space, and I consider what needs to be on my prescription notepad. I ponder it as a teacher who plans activities for my students; as a parent of two children whose eyes gleam at the mention of electronics; as an educator who is promoting iPad use in the classroom; and as an individual who routinely gravitates to my own computer/iPhone/iPad.  I need to look to my own required reading list, and see how I can work to start "even-ing out the balance."

One final quote from "The Nature Principle:"

"There's no denying the benefits of the Internet.  But electronic immersion, without a force to balance it, creates the hole in the boat--draining our ability to pay attention, to think clearly, to be productive and creative.... The more high-tech we become, the more nature we need." [p.24]

Go out and get what you need this school year!


Richard Louv books from http://richardlouv.com; All other book images from GTG's Pinterest Page "Books Worth Reading" http://pinterest.com/dabrowka/books-worth-reading/; Prescription from http://www.childrenandnature.org/pediatricians/; "Nature Principle" book trailer from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1B8wkkmayc&list=UUdn29btS707Qivi92TkvKeQ&index=3&feature=plcp

Heading Outdoors In These Last Lazy Days of Summer

As the lazy days of summer are winding down, I think I am appreciating the great outdoors even more.  (It may be more of a matter of "livable humidity" rather than anything else, but I'm choosing to look at it as appreciating the valuable and non-renewable resource of "the days are few.")

Given that, I am trying to grab time with both hands. 

Whether you still have a few more days until your wee ones start back to school, or if you are a teacher looking for ways to embrace the outdoors with you class, here is a great list from "No Time for Flash Cards" blog entitled "50 Simple Outdoor Activities for Kids."  Tons of good stuff here!!

My favorites?  Going on a sound safari, going on a photo scavenger hunt, and painting like Jackson Pollack! 

At the end, I think the basic moral of the story is:  No matter what, go on and get yourself and your crew outdoors.  If it happens in your classroom, odds are it'll make the dinnertime conversation.  That's a wayyyy better answer than "Nothing" to the "What did you do today at school, dear" question!!


Pic from http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2012/03/50-simple-outdoor-activities-for-kids.html

Get Your Class Moving With iPads

Once again, Twitter and Pinterest come to the rescue, and help blog fodder land in my lap, marrying the edtech and the eco worlds of mine.

Here's an awesome SlideShare presentation I ran across, created by Shelly Terrell entitled "10+ Activities to Get Students Moving with an iPad."  It is great food-for-thought to get your creativity flowing here at the start of the new year to tie in real-world learning, creativity, student activity, and building a clarity of the senses. 

Cheers, kudos, and "Green Gracias" to Shelly Terrell. 
And now... get thee outside and discovering what's around you (with or without your iPad)!!

10+ Activities to Get Students Moving with the iPad from Shelly Terrell

Active Learners & Learning to Be Active

Yesterday, in my morning tiptoe through Twitter, I ran across what I imagined might become 2 future GTG blog posts. Yet the more I marinated over them the more I realized that they were truly two sides of the same coin--both of which complimented the eco-edtech focus of Green Team Gazette simultaneously.

My first discovery led me to the brief video below.  Entitled "The Voice of the Active Learner," it defines the digital learner of today. I know that in just the year-and-a-half of iPad use at my school, I've seen how the trends are turning, and how heavy hitting mobile learning is becoming in the educational playing field.  I often feel like I am a scrambling sponge who can't get enough or can't keep up with the rapid changing pace in education.  This is coming from someone who is a fairly connected teacher.  Knowing where teachers range on the tech-spectrum from compu-novices to fabulously fluent (with most somewhere in the middle), it causes me to wonder--and sometimes worry--about our nation of teachers.  I think this video does a great job of showing educators how current they do need to be/become in order to keep pace with the active, digital learner.

Yet, watching this video, I was struck too by how inactive (physically) the "active learner" can become with so much screen time.  It is here I often see myself reflected as I count up my own computer/tech-connected hours.  It doesn't take much to get me sucked into the "plugged in" vortex. Yet it is through this that it reconfirms to me how important it is as educators to reconnect students to the natural world.  The more "plugged in" we all become as a society, the more our Nature Deficit Disorder increases, the less connected we become with the outdoors, the more we become a nation of "Obesity in America," and the more we truly are in need of becoming "unplugged."   This is yet another reason why (as a nation) we need to ramp up our environmental literacy.

It was here where I found my second "find" du jour.  And why it made even more sense to combine these two "finds."

Bay Backpack ran a post yesterday on their blog about having a Recycling Relay Race.  In reading the article, I found beauty in the way they married a physical, outdoor activity with a recycling-awareness activity. As I thought more about that, and then again about the above video of the connected learner, isn't physical activity equally engaging?  Aren't we all more connected when our whole body is a part of it?  Can't the outdoors entice us and capture our attention--in the same way any electronics can?  Reminds me of a photo I've seen floating around Facebook and Pinterest:

In addition to Bay Backpack's Recycling Relay, check out the Bay Backpack's resource page for a slew of other lessons/activities to connect you to the outdoors.

  

While you're at it, here are some other resources to investigate in order to become an active steward for our environment.  Don't be surprised if many of them lead your students to become active learners in the whole-body, outdoorsy kind of way.

• The Environmental Literacy Council
• The Green Education Foundation
• The Children and Nature Network
• Other resources highlighted in GTG under the tag "Outdoor Education,""Curriculum" or "Lesson Plans"

Video from   http://youtu.be/CZ5Vy9BgSeY, green grass & iPad image from http://blog.ipevo.com/?cat=126, "The Original Playstation" from http://imgace.com/pic/tag/the-original-playstation/, Bay Backpack pic from http://blog.baybackpack.com/?paged=2.

Interesting EdTech Finds in iPadLandia

'Tis the season for us teacher-folk to start mentally gearing up and getting back down to business.  Some of my Florida teacher friends even started back up this week.  I still have a few more, but the wheels are turning, especially when it comes to iPadLandia. 

Here are some interesting summer finds I've sent my colleagues.

First off, here is a really interesting article from the Langwitches Blog ("There is More to iPads in the Classroom Than Apps"), which I think is helpful in shifting from iPads as an "app" machine versus a "thinking" tool. There are some good graphics when you scroll down on multiple intelligences, different literacies, and Bloom's Taxonomy.  Here is an example of one of the ones she includes.


Additionally, Here are some great lesson ideas & apps in the world of iPadLandia. Something in here might be especially helpful if you are still looking for inspiration for any iPad lesson Summer Homework assignments.

--Learning and Sharing with Ms. Lirenman: Using an iPad in a Grade One Classroom
This is a great link. There are screenshots of all sorts of apps this teacher has had good success with--with 1st graders!!  I can't study it enough!

--Back to School App-pack: This link is just a downright treasure trove. It is listed by your goal of what you want the student to be able to do...to word process, record audio, use as a camera, etc. Lots of good ideas just waiting to happen here!!

--Free e-Book: 20 iPad Lesson ideas - HOME - Edgalaxy: Where Education and Technology Meet: Most of this book is above elementary levels (more for HS or middle school), but it is really good at giving you some of the potentials of the iPad--especially for special classes like art, music, and PE!!!! 

--100 apps for Preschool: This Google Doc has a boatload of links for our littler folks. It is a spreadsheet where they list prices and easy links to iTunes for downloading.

--200+ Teacher Blogs over at "Mrs. Smith's Classroom" blog: These are educational blogs rather than iPad apps. But a wealth!

--If you are on Pinterest... here are 2 of my boards where I've been stockpiling a bunch of things that might also be helpful (there's a ton of educational items on Pinterest, which is a very visual way to save links to other pages).
       My iPad stockpile
       All things "EdTech"

--And last but not least, Rainbows Within Reach is hosting the "Great Edu-Pinner" Link Up, where she had posted a sign up for educational Pinterest pinners.  At last count, over 240 pinners had linked up (including yours truly).

Of course as usual, I'm awestruck at how much this is just the tip of the Internet-wealth iceberg!  Would love to hear any other great finds you'd love to share!


Pictures from:  Ipad image from http://www.zdnet.com/blog/mobile-news/the-ipad-success-story-giving-us-what-we-want-again/7110; Multiple Intelligence apps from http://langwitches.org/blog/2012/08/07/there-is-more-to-ipads-in-the-classroom-than-apps/

Conservation Comics: Adrian Raeside's "The Other Coast"

It's amazing the things you find on Twitter.  Special thanks to @theblackfishorg for sharing a special Sunday conservation comic strip.  It takes me back to the days of yesteryear when I got my news not from the Internet, but from the newspaper--where the thick Sunday Funnies section was a particular favorite.  "Poignant" and "telling" rather than "funny" would perhaps be the better words to describe Adrian Raeside's 8/5/2012 "The Other Coast."  Who knows, it might inspire either you or your students to come up with a comic of your own!!





Comic from http://www.gocomics.com/theothercoast/2012/08/05

Befuddlement Day: What Would Jamie Oliver Say?

I am a strong supporter of a lot of "Days."  There's Earth Day, Mother's Day, Memorial Day, Father's Day, World Water Day, Labor Day, Global Wind Day, Veterans Day, and more.  I even get the cathartic kick out of a little melodramatic soap opera every now and then by with NBC's "Days of our Lives." 

But I'm a little curious (perhaps even befuddled) about today's "food" day:  Mike Huckabee's proposed "Chick-Fil-A Day."

Unless you've been living under a rock the last two weeks, you can't help but to see the latest in bipartisan vitriol between Chick-Fil-A, The Muppets & Jim Henson Company, and all the Fox News (& other media) coverage and commentary about city boycotts, restaurant bans, and beyond.  Odds are you can't even scroll very far down your FaceBook news feed without seeing a rash of commentary on both sides of the political stance.  Here are two of my "favorite" pics I've seen there:

There is no question that there are seriously strong opinions at play on both sides.  But here's where I'm befuddled.  Promoting a "Food of Choice" day?  Encouraging all Americans to dedicate a day and go out and eat fast food to support your cause?  I can't help but wonder "What would Jamie Oliver think?"

[In case you are uncertain, Jamie Oliver is the fella who took on Huntington, West Virginia in the 2010 TV series "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution."  Huntington was our American city that ranked highest in obesity.  Here in the past, I've written almost a dozen posts about Jamie Oliver and his quest to tackle the super-sizing of our waistlines .]

Here's what I personally think Jamie Oliver would say (& I haven't a clue--nor do I care--about his politics): 

Instead of boycotting or promoting restaurants, why don't Americans write letters to their congressmen.  Additionally, why don't Americas boycott calorie-infested, energy-empty food?  THAT might solve a whole feast of problems, starting w/obesity in America. (Pun intended.)

One of the commentaries I have heard is that the Chick-Fil-A argument is about our First Amendment right of Freedom of Speech.  Agreed.  I've also heard it is a matter of voting with our dollars.  Equally agreed.  How we, as global citizens, spend out hard earned money should be not only a vote for our political opinions (as is being argued here on Huckabee's Chick-Fil-A day), but also for our health.  And unfortunately, due to convenience and often cost we don't always economically-vote in a healthy manner.  (Case and point: which is cheaper--a bag of potato chips or a bag of organic fruits and veggies?)  More times than not, we are shopping with time, convenience, and "crap food" rather than shopping with "health" in mind.

I have been traveling for nearly the last 2 weeks.  During that time, I have frequented a lot of fast food joints.  Healthy eating hasn't been my top concern, but rather maximizing the time I spent with the people I was visiting.  I must admit though, I have felt that choice in my body (high levels of saturated fat and sodium aren't my friend), in my lowered energy levels, and with the numbers that are popping up on my scale in the aftermath.  So for me, I'm not going to be frequenting any fast food restaurant today.

 

All that being said, here is another reason

I think I'll be hanging out at home as well.

Images other than Facebook post pics I have run across: Food in Education" poster from http://www.jamieoliver.com/us/foundation/jamies-food-revolution/home; "The New (Ab)Normal" from  http://www.feedourfamilies.com/2012/07/startling-facts-about-weight-our-future.html, "Childhood Obesity" Infographic from http://infographipedia.com/childhood-obesity-a-norton-center-infographic-eating-disorder-pro.html

The Power of Spreading Environmentalism Through Social Media

It's a week of Infographics! Here's one about "Responsibility for the Planet" and the idea of if environmentalism was spread amongst social media. What would that look like?



Infographic from http://mashable.com/2012/04/19/social-media-environmentalism/

You Had Me At iCloud

I've been fortunate enough to have iPads available in my classroom for the past year, and a few months of the prior school year.  As will happen, prolonged exposure to one at school let me to having one at home.  Then came the time to upgrade my phone.  That happened right about the same time as Apple introduced us to "the Cloud."

It goes without saying:  They had me at iCloud.  I officially become one with AppleNation. I love that my iPhone and my iPad sync and I can access information on both.  Yes, they had me at iCloud.

Here's a great infographic about Cloud computing and its eco-benefits!



Infographic from http://www.cloudinfographics.com/2011/08/cloud-computing-save-energy-save-green/

TV Room Becomes "EcoRoom"

TV Room Becomes EcoRoom from Vicki Dabrowka on Vimeo.

I often tease my husband that if he is not careful, he's going to be accused of drinking the "eco-koolaid" just simply due to prolonged exposure to me. He typically laughs, and agrees with me, telling me it's a risk he's willing to take. Well, it just may be beginning to happen!

You know you have truly become a grown up when you find yourself saying things such as "For my birthday I want to get rid of the carpet in the TV room and put in hard wood flooring."  These were the words this past spring from my husband.  Truthfully, who can blame him given that the off-white carpeting has been more "off-colored" than "in" for years.  My question: who puts in white carpeting?  The eternal optimist apparently, who doesn't have kids or dogs, and moves out before reality sets in!

So, we bit the bullet and made the plan for wood flooring.  And, as I mentioned in a previous GTG post, my husband (good man that he is) agreed that we could go the bamboo, sustainable route.  Even better, we went with an eco-friendly underlayment made from recycled tires, which will ultimately help with sound reduction and insulation.  Very cool. 

So what's an eco-koolaid-drinking, edtech-kind-of-teacher to do to celebrate her sustainability home plan?  Why, make an iMovie about it, of course.  So, check it out above

For those of you on the fence about whether to "bamboo" or not, here are some interesting bamboo flooring fun facts:

✒ Strand woven bamboo flooring is one of the hardest types of wood flooring out there.  Our friends at Lumber Liquidators told us that it is the 5th hardest wood out there.

✒ Bamboo (a grass) grows incredibly fast--faster than any of our other planetary plants. It regrows and regenerates from the same roots.

✒ Fully matured, "old growth" bamboo for flooring happens after 4-7 years...as opposed to matured hardwood trees, which takes approximately 60 years to mature.

 ✒ The bamboo yield per hectacre can be up to 20 times a greater yield than a typical timber forest. Ergo, it is a much more environmentally friendly option.

✒  The species of bamboo used for flooring is not on panda's diet, so no panda will starve due to your desire for sustainable flooring.

Pictures and videos from my camera; "Determination" poster made using the Motivational Poster iPad app with our pics; iMovie made from my pics and housed over at Vimeo http://vimeo.com/46211081