[Field Trip] Sweet Berry Farm

[Field Trip] ASNC: Fossils and Faults @ Pease Park

This field trip was hosted at Pease Park and we explored the banks of Shoal Creek. We searched for evidence of ancient marine life and discovered the geologic forces that shaped Austin’s unique landforms that we see today. We also identified and collected marine fossils.



In the above photo, each child holding a number represents a layer of rock that was laid down over a period of time, arranged from the oldest layer on the bottom to the newest on top. On the right, a fault line is slightly visible, which cut through the layers.





Clair took the parent education class and she found out that there are many different kids of limestone and that our area is diverse in geologic zones. Our area has the most abudant amount of granite in the world too. There are also some dino prints in Leander, so we'll have to check those out for those who haven't seen them.









Damon's grandmother is visiting Austin and was able to join him on this field trip. It's always nice to see grandparents join when possible!

Fossils, cont.

Tree Map, different types of fossils.



Violet brought in this terrific fossil collection that was handed down to her by her grandmother. We added it to our fossil table for all to investigate. Damon brought in a large piece of petrified wood that his grandmother gave him. What wonderful things for grandparents to hand down!



Our fossil table. I could sit here all day admiring and investigating.


The children later chose one fossil from Violet's collection to write an informational paper about. Here, the children are beginning with their circle maps. Later, they created a tree map, and finished by transferring to a short paragraph.




Garrick and the children made fossil imprints of their feet too!

[Field Trip] National Fossil Day @ Texas Memorial Museum

National Fossil Day was October 17th, so we took a group field trip to the Texas Memorial Museum.







Where the Paleontologist works. She showed us all sorts of fossils.


















UT film students interviewed some of the children for a film they're making on how children interact with dinosaurs.



Such a phenomenal museum. We will be back!

Picture Day!

2012-2103 Group Photo



It's always quite entertaining trying to get a group of children to look at the camera at the same time, and smile, but I finally got this one. Here is our group shot from last year.

Headshots were taken too.
I just love these kids. Each and every one.

Thirst for Learning and Power of Imagination

This is something every good educator and parent wants to see from their children. Igniting that fire.

I was emailed this article last night (thank you Tess!) and all these points are informative, and oh so true. I especially connected with the last one.

"Allow time for your own learning. A teacher can’t really be inspiring if she is burnt out. It’s important to take time for your own learning. The things that interest you, might very well be things that you can bring into your classroom." 

Crystal Singing Bowl
Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo =
I call upon the teacher within me and outside of me.

As all our families know, the schoolhouse is my other child. My baby, so to speak. The co-op was only born a year ago, and now that we're past the post-partum haze, the dust has settled and we're in a steady groove, and it's a space that we all enjoy being in.

What I enjoy about teaching in our setting is the flexibility and freedom that not only the children have, but that I have as an educator. Being able to learn the things I want to learn, bring in things I love, truly help me be a better and happy educator. Where else could I bring in my crystal signing bowls, and do a opening mantra with the children every morning? What a way to start our day! Thank you Ruxi, for teaching us this mantra.

Even though I've been teaching a while, I'm still learning, still growing, and still transforming as an educator.

This beautifully written article is a good reminder and worth the read.

Read More: How To Ignite Passion In Your Students: 8 Ways Educators Can Foster Passion-Based Learning.

This Year's Tribe

Here's a group shot from our creek day last week. The ranch is bursting with vibrant yellow wildflowers right now. What a beautiful landscape.



Other group school pictures to follow...