The Challenge of Comments

It's been a while since I have posted. Lots of ideas and things I've wanted to share, but so busy with other projects that I have neglected this blog.

Anyhow, I ran across this blog post today and it was too good to pass up.

The Challenge of Comments

All Creatures Great and Small

From furry friends who are members of my family to majestic eagles flying high, dolphins dancing at sea, horses gaily galloping, or brown bats performing ballets in the sky, animals have always held a special place in my heart.

Check out the following You Tube video about caring for our animal friends. The video is touching and the message inspiring. Scott Simpson, a dear friend and colleague entered the Humane Society of America Video Hymn Contest. The lyrics were written by Carolyn Gillette. Scott composed and performed the music. Scott does great work and his music is always moving.

What stories do you have of your relationship to God’s creatures? Do you have a moving story about a family pet? Is there a particular animal that inspires you? What have you learned from the wild kingdom?

Bat Festival! What's That?



Button says "Bats need friends"



Don't you want to hang out with this little guy?



This August, I attended the 6^th Annual Bat Festival. Every time I wear my festival t-shirt I get  “A Bat Festival! What’s that?” This event is held in Custer State Park every year and put on by the South Dakota Bat Working Group. I had the distinct pleasure of helping people of all ages, from two years old to youngsters in their 80s, assemble foam bats. They are super cool!




Bats exiting the bathouse
Photo by Nick Altadonna



This event is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about bats. There is a wonderful  presentation that includes a catchy little song about echolocation. My kids have been singing it ever since. The yummy bat cookies also made the trip worthwhile.  The highlight of the event was witnessing over 100 bats exit from the bat house at the campground. We were even able to hear the bats with the use of bat detectors.  



 The SDBWG is involved in many educational efforts. As part of that effort, our school  received a set of twelve wonderful nonfiction books from the South Dakota Bat Working Group Books for Schools Program.



To learn more about the South Dakota Bat Working Group, please visit http://sdbwg.org/. You can also sign up for Echoes, an e-newsletter devoted to bat issues in South Dakota. Subscriptions are free- just email joeltigner@gmail.com.

One section of the newsletter is devoted to poems and artwork related to bats. If you have submissions for future editions, please send them to me at Cary.Roller@k12.sd.us. You may also send them to me through snail mail, C/O Knollwood Elementary, 1701 Downing Street, Rapid City, SD 57701. Please state how you would like to be published (for example, first name and school or first and last name). We can only accept original pieces of work, not work copyrighted by someone else.





Long-eared Myotis

photo by Joel Tigner

A Rumbling Good Time

I recently returned from the 2011 South Dakota Reading Council State Conference which was held in Sioux Falls this year. I took the trip with three colleagues and fellow Reading Council officers. It was fantastic.

One of the highlights was meeting Chris Rumble.  The first night there, I took part in a Murder Mystery (cool experience- my first time, but definitely not my last). It was called Murder in Margaritaland. The first time I met Chris, I simply knew him as Managing Mo (a manager for Sandy Beachbum, a surfer on the island). I was initially impressed by his infectious smile and his love of life.

Later I found out who he was- children’s book author, illustrator, musician, and speaker. Chris is the genuine article. I love his sense of humor and his positive, upbeat personality. He gave a wonderful presentation that included audience participation. It got both adults and kids fired up to read and write. Chris was also the keynote at the Student Award’s Ceremony.

Please check out his website at http://www.chrisrumble.com/index.htm. His video blogs are great. You’ll want to watch Episode 3: How to Wind Up Your Child’s Day with Joy and Happiness. This one had me wiping tears from my cheek at the conference. You can also hear some of his motivational songs (click Author Visits and check out the right hand sidebar). Chris has a true passion for children and spreading the love of literacy.

"Gone to the Fields to Be Lovely"

Our Summer Courage to Teach Retreat was held at the Moreau River Sanctuary in Isabel, South Dakota. Many of you have heard me share my thoughts on the picturesque prairie setting and have asked to see photos. Although the pictures don’t do justice to the setting’s beauty, here they are as promised.

A slideshow design by Smilebox

The title of today’s post comes from a poem by Lynn Ungar which was shared at the retreat. It is titled Camas Lilies. Here is a snippet:

And you- what of your rushed and
useful life? Imagine setting it all down-
papers, plans, appointments, everything
leaving only a note: “Gone to the fields
to be lovely. Be back when I’m through
with blooming.”

I often struggle with slowing down and just being. I feel like I need to be doing, doing, doing (often multiple things at once). As part of my Courage Work, I am learning to embrace solitude and celebrate living in the moment. I am reminded of the flight attendant’s mandatory pre-flight message “Please secure your own oxygen mask before helping those around you”. When I’m not taking care of myself, I can’t be much help to others. It’s important for me to be rested and refreshed so that I can fully give myself to others and the experiences of life.

In order to live to my fullest potential, I am committing to go into the fields often. Here are my fields:
• Nature: It is crucial for me to be in nature. It is both relaxing and invigorating for me. Nature has restorative properties. I love to relate to the magnificence of the earth and marvel at her dynamic beauty.
• Garden of “flowers”: Cultivating a garden of striking flowers- a community of positive, uplifting people who respect me, accept me, and embrace me for who I am. There are far too many toxic weeds out there. While I don’t need to pull them out, I also don’t need to put them in a vase on my table.
• Youthful perspective: Seeing the world through the eyes of my children (and my students) helps me appreciate the exciting in the seemingly mundane.
• Music: I appreciate all types. Music speaks to me and moves my soul. I am becoming introduced to many new pieces and genres thanks to my garden of flowers.
• Poetry: Mostly reading other people’s poetry (I am amazed at people’s way with words), and also experimenting expressing myself and writing some of my own.
• Dancing: Movement is another remarkable form of expression, both watching others and participating myself.
• Reading: A passion- yes. Therapeutic- yes. Getting lost in faraway stories, being involved in thought provoking questions, and reviewing old letters and notes (true gifts written by those that care).
• Journaling: A great tool of self-exploration. One in which I am honest with myself, my thoughts, and my feelings, not simply a log of the day’s events.
• Photography: A growing passion of mine. Seeing things from a different perspective. Humbly trying to capture the world’s wonder.
• Scrapbooking: Combining journaling and photography. I often joke about being a “scrapbook collector” and now I am finally making the time to create some pages. It’s great therapy and I’m beginning to do some pages just for me.

What “fields” do you go to “to be lovely”? And if you don’t often go into the fields, why not start making regular trips today?

What If ...

... you read this post and were introduced to a new book? What if that new book led to a new way of thinking? What is that book opened the doors to reaching your full potential? 

 

Distinguished author Melanie Hurley signing copies of her books.

Today’s book recommendation is What If? written by Rapid City native Melanie Hurley. I have known Melanie for many years and was delighted when she became a published author. We graduated from Black Hills State University together and taught at the same elementary school for several years. Melanie was Rapid City’s 2005 Teacher-of-the Year.  She is currently a professor and the Professional Development Schools Coordinator at Black Hills State University.

  





I had the distinct pleasure of attending
Melanie’s first book signing party.

Melanie's book is everything she is- beautiful and inspirational. The text is written in the format of questions, such as “What if you never gave up on yourself?”.  Just imagine! The powerful message of believing in yourself and achieving your dreams is relevant to both children and adults. This book would work great in the classroom setting or be perfect as a gift. Of course, you'll also want a copy for yourself! Let me know if you are interested in an autographed copy and I'll send you Melanie's contact information.

Splinters and Needles

The other day I took my children to Reptile Gardens for a fun filled day of adventure. We were enthralled by the Bird Show, grossly intrigued by the Snake show, and entertained by the Gator Show. We enjoyed a nice lunch and then ventured to the Sky Dome to marvel at the exotic flowers and various reptiles and amphibians. As my middle son was taking a closer look at a lizard, he lost his balance and ended up in a bed of cacti.  These were not the type one could easily pull out with tweezers, but nasty, fuzzy little splinters and needles that infested his entire hand and were nearly impossible to see. I felt his pain and had no clue what to do at this moment.

My son must have been a first because the accommodating staff of Reptile Gardens didn’t seem to know what to do either. Luckily, my good friend from Arizona, Shelly, was with me. She knew exactly what to do (from several personal experiences with her own kids). Shelly worked with Elmer’s glue and duck tape while her children gently and lovingly tried to reassure my son and take his mind of the pain. Although the good staff at Reptile Garden’s didn’t know exactly how to handle my son’s hands, they were great by stepping in and making us feel welcome. We got to go in a private room, a staff member gave all 6 kids special stickers, and they joked with the kids. We even got to have special time with a two year old baby alligator named Fluffy.

I couldn’t help but relate this experience to the cacti we encounter in our educational lives- unsupportive administration, cantankerous colleagues, irate parents, angry children, clueless policymakers, and misunderstanding public. At some time or another, we are all going to get poked. When we do, we need to know what to do to handle the slivers. Do we wash our hands, try to brush them off, blindly stab with the tweezers, or grab the Elmer’s glue? Just like I couldn’t have handled this little incident on my own, we need each other. Surround yourselves with positive people. Learn from others who excel at what they do. Develop and nurture strong relationships with supportive educators. Lean on an encouraging colleague, mentor, or friend. Check out your personal learning network on Twitter, Edublog, or other sites.

What do you do when you encounter spiteful little splinters? How do you remove the nasty needles without pushing them in further and causing more pain?

For those of you planning a trip to the Black Hills, be sure to visit Reptile Gardens for a fun and educational experience that won’t disappoint.