Day 50 - Tues Nov 20: Administrators have been notified. Notes have been coming in all morning. Double checked to make sure all students have approved media release forms.
Immediately folloqing dismissal, eager young birders congregate in my classroom. Mostly, 6th graders ready for the first time. I was able to get some of my older kids there as well = ) The more experienced brood was tutoring the future fledglings in the way of the binoculars.
With a few last minute additions, I actually ended up one pair of bins short. Guess who didn't use any!
The photographer shows up as we play a little bird ID game with mounted specimens abnd field guyides. Two groups of kids working together to cooperatively identify two different species: Green-winged Teal and Brant.
Listening to them stumble through the process was quite enjoyable. Each kid chiming in with a different field mark. It took both groups a little while to find the first onein the field guide. But once they had the waterfowl section at their fingertips, the other was ID'ed much quicker.
We then went outside to look for a few birds. Juncos, robins, vultures, starlings, and grackles had the kids' eyes and minds going in several directions at once.
The photographer was shooting away.
As we returned back to the class, the kids left for home.
Before departing, the photographer thanked me for teaching him a few things about birds. He particularly liked the Dark-eyed Juncoes!
The resulting article can be found on CourierPost Online.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
P2F - Awkward Request
Day 49 - Mon Nov 19: My last period class was quietly working on an activity so I quickly checked my e-mail.
The reporter had a request from her editor. She wanted to have another photographer come out to the school TOMORROW. This time, the focus was to be KIDS.
Granted, this made total sense given the subject of the upcoming article. There were several problems with this request.
First, I have yet to have this year students in the field. I usually wait to get the new batch out into the field until we know each other better. This allows for a much more pleasurable and productive birding experience for all involved, especially the birds.
Second, it would be no small task to get in touch with my 7th and 8th grade birders on such short notice.
Decisions, Decisions.
I announced that I would be going out to look for some birds afterschool tomorrow and asked who would be interested in joining me. More than half the class raised their hands. When I explained the newspaper/photographer situation, several more hands joined the legions.
I'm so comfortable with practically staging the shoot but the kids are up for it.
I will let you know how it goes ; )
As an aside, the name of this group is the Wings!
The reporter had a request from her editor. She wanted to have another photographer come out to the school TOMORROW. This time, the focus was to be KIDS.
Granted, this made total sense given the subject of the upcoming article. There were several problems with this request.
First, I have yet to have this year students in the field. I usually wait to get the new batch out into the field until we know each other better. This allows for a much more pleasurable and productive birding experience for all involved, especially the birds.
Second, it would be no small task to get in touch with my 7th and 8th grade birders on such short notice.
Decisions, Decisions.
I announced that I would be going out to look for some birds afterschool tomorrow and asked who would be interested in joining me. More than half the class raised their hands. When I explained the newspaper/photographer situation, several more hands joined the legions.
I'm so comfortable with practically staging the shoot but the kids are up for it.
I will let you know how it goes ; )
As an aside, the name of this group is the Wings!
P2F - Weekend in Preview
Day 48 - Fri Nov 16: A few of my classes worked extremely well on today. As a result, there was some unanticipated time left at the end of the period.
I threw out a general question to the class, "any big plans for this weekend?"
The normal middle school itinerary entries were flying around the room - games, birthday parties, Bar Mitzvahs, sleeping late, movies.
Then it happened. They turned the interrogation back on me with an ulterior motive, "What about you Mr. Mag?"
"I;m not sure what we're doing yet."
Several adolescent voices chimed in with a less-than-rehearsed chorus, "Are you going to find any Life Birds this weekend?!"
My heart was warmed. Did I think they really cared about my enjoyment of finding new birds? Of course not, they were only wishing to celebrate a new discovery next week. Then why was I so delighted you might ask.
First of all, they were all using birding vernacular - Life Birds! Several of them were even able to recall that the Calliope Hummingbird was my first life bird this year.
Secondly, their teacher's excitement of a new bird is oozing into their consciousness via our class' Life Bird celebrations. These small but well-received tokens of accomplishment are effective. Definitely worth the expense of buying snacks for 140 kids once in a while.
Walls of birding ignorance are being cihpped away in their minds and hearts. They are becoming familiar with the world of birdwatching = )
Isn't this the first step in becoming a birder?!
I threw out a general question to the class, "any big plans for this weekend?"
The normal middle school itinerary entries were flying around the room - games, birthday parties, Bar Mitzvahs, sleeping late, movies.
Then it happened. They turned the interrogation back on me with an ulterior motive, "What about you Mr. Mag?"
"I;m not sure what we're doing yet."
Several adolescent voices chimed in with a less-than-rehearsed chorus, "Are you going to find any Life Birds this weekend?!"
My heart was warmed. Did I think they really cared about my enjoyment of finding new birds? Of course not, they were only wishing to celebrate a new discovery next week. Then why was I so delighted you might ask.
First of all, they were all using birding vernacular - Life Birds! Several of them were even able to recall that the Calliope Hummingbird was my first life bird this year.
Secondly, their teacher's excitement of a new bird is oozing into their consciousness via our class' Life Bird celebrations. These small but well-received tokens of accomplishment are effective. Definitely worth the expense of buying snacks for 140 kids once in a while.
Walls of birding ignorance are being cihpped away in their minds and hearts. They are becoming familiar with the world of birdwatching = )
Isn't this the first step in becoming a birder?!
P2F - Mocking Some Kids
Day 47 - Thurs Nov 15: It's rather normal to hear students say things like, "Mr. Mag, Billy said I was . . . " or "She just told me to . . . "
But this morning was different.
The 6th grader rushes to my room to some harassment that occurred as he was waiting for the bus. He said a bird was "yelling over and over" from the top of small tree.
"Ok. What did it sound like?"
"It sounded was loud and rude."
Let's narrow it down from my 3 prime suspects. "What did it look like?"
"It was like a grayish color. When it flew away, the wings were really white."
I turned and grabbed a field guide from the desk. I extended the book toward my young inquisitor while simultaneously flipping to the Mimids. The guide landed in front of his face just as the Northern Mockingbird page was reached. (If only the choreography had been planned!)
"That was it!"
"It's called a Northern Mockingbird. They can be really cool birds. They learn how to sing the songs of other birds."
"Was he mocking me this morning?!?!"
"Probably not."
But this morning was different.
The 6th grader rushes to my room to some harassment that occurred as he was waiting for the bus. He said a bird was "yelling over and over" from the top of small tree.
"Ok. What did it sound like?"
"It sounded was loud and rude."
Let's narrow it down from my 3 prime suspects. "What did it look like?"
"It was like a grayish color. When it flew away, the wings were really white."
I turned and grabbed a field guide from the desk. I extended the book toward my young inquisitor while simultaneously flipping to the Mimids. The guide landed in front of his face just as the Northern Mockingbird page was reached. (If only the choreography had been planned!)
"That was it!"
"It's called a Northern Mockingbird. They can be really cool birds. They learn how to sing the songs of other birds."
"Was he mocking me this morning?!?!"
"Probably not."
P2F - Shooting Birders
Day 46 - Wed Nov 14: Yesterday, I met with a local reporter to talk about the benefits of birding with kids. We spent more than an hour chatting about one of my favorite topics. As the conversation closed, she said, "can I send a photographer out to get some pics of you in the field tomorrow afternoon? It will only take about 15 minutes."
Aargh! "Sure, that would be fine."
Fast forward to this afternoon . . .
The photojournalist arrives promptly after school. Our salutations complete, we head behind the school to look for some birds. It's rather overcast and few birds were out and about. Regardless, I scanned the treetops, bushes, and skies for all manners of birds while she shuttered away.
Not being one to just sit there and get shot, I started chatting birds and birding with kids with her. We talked about different species in flight and how to tell them apart. We talked about various birds she has noticed lately. We talked about how kids are enthralled by wildlife.
And we talked about how rare birds can show up so far from home.
And we talked about the seasonal rhythms of birds.
She left about 90 minutes later with several decent pics of a barely salvagable subject and a nice chunk of new avian knowledge.
Aargh! "Sure, that would be fine."
Fast forward to this afternoon . . .
The photojournalist arrives promptly after school. Our salutations complete, we head behind the school to look for some birds. It's rather overcast and few birds were out and about. Regardless, I scanned the treetops, bushes, and skies for all manners of birds while she shuttered away.
Not being one to just sit there and get shot, I started chatting birds and birding with kids with her. We talked about different species in flight and how to tell them apart. We talked about various birds she has noticed lately. We talked about how kids are enthralled by wildlife.
And we talked about how rare birds can show up so far from home.
And we talked about the seasonal rhythms of birds.
She left about 90 minutes later with several decent pics of a barely salvagable subject and a nice chunk of new avian knowledge.
Monday, December 3, 2007
P2F - Mixed Flocks
Day 45 - Tues Nov 13: Today was Mix-It-Up Day. Our school participates in this national campaign to build awareness and acceptance of others.
As tolerance.org explains, The Mix It Up concept is "a project supporting student efforts to identify, question and cross social boundaries within their schools and communities."
As the kids entered the cafeteria, they were sent to random tables. Instead their normal crew, they would be breaking bread with a new set of peers today. The students were both shaken and stirred by this simple logistical maneuver.
My routine was also disrupted. I usually make the rounds and go through my repertoire of individualized interactions for each group of kids. Talking sports at some tables, music at others, books with other still, and birds with all of them at times.
Today, the music kids, sports kids, and all the rest were as mixed as flocks of migrating shorebirds or wintering blackbirds. While this made my daily performance unique, it definitely allowed for birding discussions as I explained the mixed flock analogy to each table = )
As tolerance.org explains, The Mix It Up concept is "a project supporting student efforts to identify, question and cross social boundaries within their schools and communities."
As the kids entered the cafeteria, they were sent to random tables. Instead their normal crew, they would be breaking bread with a new set of peers today. The students were both shaken and stirred by this simple logistical maneuver.
My routine was also disrupted. I usually make the rounds and go through my repertoire of individualized interactions for each group of kids. Talking sports at some tables, music at others, books with other still, and birds with all of them at times.
Today, the music kids, sports kids, and all the rest were as mixed as flocks of migrating shorebirds or wintering blackbirds. While this made my daily performance unique, it definitely allowed for birding discussions as I explained the mixed flock analogy to each table = )
Monday, November 19, 2007
P2F - Hanging Birds
Day 44 - Mon Nov 12: My first task this morning was clean off my desk. I have a habit of dropping papers on my desk until it looks like one of Dilbert's nightmares. He would have been screaming this morning!
The series of Eastern Bluebirds photos (see day 42) was among the desk debris. Obviously, I proudly hung the pics on my front board.
A new round of inquisition was inspired as many students saw, for the first time, the sequence of a parent bluebird feeding its fledgling young a mealworm.
The series of Eastern Bluebirds photos (see day 42) was among the desk debris. Obviously, I proudly hung the pics on my front board.
A new round of inquisition was inspired as many students saw, for the first time, the sequence of a parent bluebird feeding its fledgling young a mealworm.
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