Like "Where's Waldo", the hidden word lives for what it is.

I originally started this blog so that I could focus on the art and pedagological "moments" of teaching. Then I got re-routed to http://www.sciencewithmrshunt.tumblr.com/ because our elementary school is evolving technologically. This is all both interesting as a sociologically experiment and as a personal-evolution vehicle. As teachers I think we have to be careful about making assumptions about what learning is. We exist as macro-facilitators in the unique petris dishes of our classrooms. [Please do not reveal to my English teachers that I just wrote that sentence!!!!] My point is that we are involved in the daily "primordial ooze" of learning and we cannot take for granted that the learners always know that the process could take seconds or years. Some learners give up very easily if they do not get instant gratification while others take humble nourishment from knowing that today they brought their sharpened pencils, homework, textbooks, and lunch all at the same time to the places where these things needed to be. A smile, a thumbs-up, and a collective "we can do this together if we try" can mean a lot.

I'm trying to teach science to 241 kids, grades 2-8. This is my first year to do this but my 12th year of teaching. I sometimes go to work feeling both ectstatic and terrified because beyond the state and national standards, the hidden agendas, the cultural webs, I do not yet know if I have helped the students who may depend on me as well as the students who need to be liberated from my ancient and possibly obsolete ways of thinking. Your comments on my conundrum are welcome...otherwise, teach on.

How can you identify a professional show squirrel? When ground and tree squirrels are alarmed, they may bark or freeze. If a squirrel is in a tree, he/she may lay flat against a branch, not moving and looking slightly dazed. A professional show squirrel will lay down but look coy, with a flirty, winky glint in the eye. If provoked, squirrels will chitter, bark, and, sometimes, jump quickly at the intruder. Professional show squirrels tend to growl, hike their tails up magnificently, and pose. Some of the best show squirrels can be found in Eagle Rock, California.

"She waited for the light to filter through the last half of her tail. Each strand needed to reflect the unique colors and textures early morning sun brought to her look because afternoon sun created a completely different mood. As she puffed the tail up with just the right amount of energy, she turned her almond-shaped espresso eyes towards the sky to check for red-tailed hawks or migrating raptors. Seeing none, she relaxed and turned her attention towards the backyard with the walnut tree. If the photographer was there, she would need to keep her tail and fur groomed. If it was just the cats, rabbit, and songbirds, she could relax and dive into the green feeder for seed snacks. And so, a professional show squirrel's day begins....

It's been a while, like spilled air and the smell of blown-out candles. I'm refining this blog with my feet sitting in a bath of rock salt, hot water, and blackberry face wash. This is not standard solution for foot baths, but it works for me. Here's a picture I found made me forget about global warming for a few minutes. My parents use to worry about things like communism. I worry about why mammals are migrating northward because it is too warm to mate or nest in their normal habitat. I say "Don't mess with the thermostat!"

The spirit bears in this photo belong to someone else who I will try to give credit to, once I find the source again. I thought the compositions, colors, and mood were beautiful. The day is still groggy for most of us. If you are a dog, chewing on a rawhide bone could be the trendsetter. If you are a laborer, not having to go to work might be a great day. If you are a grey wolf, making a kill, breeding, and knowing this all went into another day of survival means a good day. If you are a lawyer, either solving or causing a dispute translates into a good day. For me, I am still musing.

I tried to secret a mini-vacation today. This involved going back to sleep in the morning about four times. Then I played Alchemy and made it to Grand Wizard 1st Class with 12000 points! I felt like a kid. I stared at my bedroom mess I am supposed to clean up before school starts. Staring at things does not seem to be very effective. So I organized a few things, cleaned bunny poop off the front entrance, made dinner, watched "Amelie" and made dinner: black beans, cornbread, red peppers, pork marinated in eggplant pomade. Then I painted this picture....Tomorrow I go to a singing workshop, whole body singing. Next summer I am going to Ireland!!!!

I finished my graduate work August 5, 2006, at Loyola Marymount University and now have my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and my Masters in Elementary Education. So my students will only be limited by my imagination. Thank you to all of you who helped me, had faith in me, and were patient, especially my husband, Bob.