Day 55 - Thurs Dec 5: It was my third period of the day discussing the Holocaust and other genocides with 11 year-olds. My mind needed a break from introducing these relative innocents to one of the darkest realities of human nature.
Talking about death with kids all morning is not very pleassant.
That's when it happened. A bird dropped into clear view of my windows. The class' work was done so I eagerly pointed out this diversion to the death and despair of Darfur.
The question was thrown out to everyone, "what do you notice about this bird?"
"It's huge."
"I can't believe it's so close to us."
"He keeps going around and around. Is he gonna get dizzy?!"
"It's all black."
"No it's not! Look - it has gray under its wings."
"Why is it wobbling so much?"
The two minute drill was nearly expired.
We talked for a few minutes about this very cooperative Turkey Vulture circling over the soccer field. I had answered most of the questions when one more popped up.
"Does it even have a head?!"
The final inquiry led to explanation of vultures' featherless heads and their niche as scavengers.
BEEP!
"Time for LUNCH!"
I guess it was unavoidable that today's class closed on the topic of death.
1 comment:
Have you seen MONSTER QUEST episode BIRDZILLA yet Its about people seeing giant birds and of a man who claim a giant bird tried to carry him off when he was 10 and of others who have encountered giant birds including a indian who took a film of two large birds
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