Migratory Monarchs (aka "Danaus plexippus")

Hmmm... so as much as I've trekked parks/trails and taken snapshots of intriguing
flowers, bugs, birds, deer, snakes and various other creatures, I had yet to photograph a Monarch butterfly (aka Danaus plexippus).


So as I set out my plans for the weekend, most of which included schoolwork, some of my identified tasks were to: (1) locate and doument a Monarch butterfly siting with a picture, (2) make a lesson plan for RDG 3823, (3) complete my teacher-parent interview, (4) read for C&I 4403, (5) tidy-up an ARI, (6) knock out some case-study requirements (7) add finishing touches to a C&I 4353 lesson plan packet and (8) last and probably most enjoyable... SHOP for my big sis' birthday present.


Lucky for me, the weather was nice so I decided to get my priorties in order and take care of my big sister FIRST! Before casting judgement, let me remind you that I'm a mom, Air Force wife and full-time student... so multitasking is now embedded in my DNA.
So while making mental preparations for the shopping excursion, I purposely chose La Cantera Shops here in San Antonio, TX, as my shopping destination. I figured among all the beautiful landscaping and plethora of shops, I was sure to find some butterflies AND a perfect gift.


And well, guess what! Voila...I did! I found both... the perfect gift and a beautiful Monarch butterfly. Don't believe me? Well here's the proof below...







This one didn't appreciate my paparazzi-like behavior. Luckily, I was able to capture the proof before she took off in flight again.

Somehow these beautiful and delicate creatures will make their way to Mexico. 

 

One last picture... and I PROMISE, I'll leave you alone.

 Thankfully, my family is familiar with my shananigans and they weren't at all embarassed at being spotted with me in public as I chased these beautiful butterflies.
Now it's time for me to go enjoy my sister's celebration and then get back to the books.

Simple Machines. In my home?!?? Really? I guess so!

Hmmm... so the idea of simple machines has always sounded so foreign to me.
I get the simple...easy... not complex and I understand machine...a device. However, I have never really thought of how my own home was a house to so many of these simple machines.


Levers, inclined planes, pulleys, screws, wedges, wheels-n-axles, oh my! The possiblities are endless.


After doing a little investigating, I found the following simple machines in my home:


Lever

When used for yanking, erghh, I mean pulling a nail out from the wall... a hammer is much like a lever.
















Pulley

The mechanism used to open/close and raise/lower blinds makes blinds a type of pulley.


Screw

The ability for a light bulb to be secured in a fixture, makes it an example of a screw.














Wedges

Forks and knives are simple machines (wedges) that help us on the daily.

Wheel-n-axle

Lastly, a car, is a prime example of a simple machine that helps me and my family get around and enjoy places.








So as you can see, and as I have discovered, simple machines are everywhere. They vary in size and complexity but the purpose of these tools remains the same... to make work easier!
Nevermore will I overlook or devalue these items again.

Reuse.Reduce.Recycle.

The 3Rs... reuse, reduce and recycle.

What do they mean? Why are they so important? Can anyone reuse, reduce and recycle? Does it really help?

What would happen if we didn't partake in the 3 Rs?

All these are questions I first asked myself when the concept and its slogan first came about in the late 1990s. Although today I understand the importance and can answer these questions with some degree of certainty, I realize that there are still so many additional ways in which my family and I could do our part to preserve our planet.

In the meantime, here are some examples of how we currently participate in conservation efforts. 

Reduce:

We reduce our energy use by using energy-saving lightbulbs.

We reduce waste by using these reusable bags.



Recycle:

Currently my son's 4th grade class is holding an aluminum can drive, so we are doing our share by donating our cans to this good cause.

We also participate in other recycling efforts when we put our weekly trash on the curb.









Reuse: When we do accumulate plastic bags, we try to reuse them for other purposes.

It isn't difficult to do your share to preserve our planet. What I've discovered is that sometimes it just takes a little more conscious effort during our daily activities. Oh, and having two sons to remind me of when I'm being wasteful helps our effort tremendously!

Searching for Science... at Leon Springs Elementary School

Leon Springs Elementary 

  Leon Springs Elementary School is a wonderful school in the Northside Independent School District (NISD), located in San Antonio, TX. 

The campus has rightfully earned the 'Exemplary' rating from the Texas Education Agency.

As a pre-service teacher enrolled in the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Teacher Certification Program, I have the privilege of completing my Fall 2010 coursework at Leon Springs Elementary.

I have been assigned to complete this semester in Mrs. Kruzel's 3rd grade class.

Currently, NISD is undergoing a change within its curriculum. The outcome of this change will be an intertwining of both the Social Studies and Science curriculums. Currently, Mrs. Kruzel's students are working within a Social Studies unit and will not begin a Science unit for another week or two.

As a result I found it to be a wee-bit difficult to photograph and describe science experiences within the classroom.



Science Corner



However, I did recognize and feel it was important to at least locate any classroom visuals that may aid in science instruction.



Colorful presentation of the Scientific Method



Sadly, science doesn't quite get the attention that math and reading/writing receive in most classrooms.

Despite the changes that are undergoing, science textbooks are still issued to students. Pictured (above and to the left) are snapshots of the textbook that will be used during the 2010-2011 school year. 

Additional reading materials that include science topics 

As I continued my search for any and all evidence of science, I was please to stumble upon a few science-related books within the classroom Reading Center.

As the year progresses, there is sure to be more in-depth and hands-on opportunities for science exploration. As a science enthusiast, I look forward to sharing some of these science experiences with my 3rd grade class.

Here is a quick update...
As the semester has continued, I have had the opportunity to teach a couple of science lessons at Leon Springs. I have taught about wetlands and matter.
Both lessons were interactive and brought science INTO the classroom. Children LOVE science and all the discoveries that come with science. Here are a few pictures from the lessons.

His name is Jumper and we created a wetland habitat for him.

His wetland.

Below are pictures from our Making Sense of Matter lesson. Students were allowed to blow up a balloon using the carbon dioxide they created from a vinegar and baking soda mixture.  This activity allowed students to think and act like scientists!

Children love experiments.

www.nisd.net

All things living

It isn't difficult and it only requires a spontaneous second to look around and spot life, even if in the smallest form.

Here are just a few examples of living organisms that my family and I have encountered in our numerous outings to various nature parks and trails.

Trekking through Comanche Park in San Antonio,TX. One of our many family-treks throughout the year.

In my opinion, the state of boredom is for the boring. Similarly, I believe that technology and its conveniences are a privilege and not necessarily a right. So within the last two years, I have been diligently working and aiming to instill an appreciation of the outdoors in my two sons.

Working our way up the Texas Hill Country's very own, Enchanted Rock.

With such a mild climate like ours here in South Texas, beautiful days for outdoor play are easy to find. With careful preparation and appropriate precautions, one can even enjoy the hottest of summer days outdoors. Our personal routine often includes: an early start, hydration, snack/lunch, walking stick and first aid supplies.  

Bountiful field of Texas wildflowers found along Baumberger Nature Park in San Antonio, TX.

Whilst on our various hikes and treks we've encountered a plethora of wildlife of various shape, form and species. We've photographed four legged creatures, animals of flight, slithering snakes, and interesting insects.

  



White-tail deer seen at Enchanted Rock.

Beautiful cardinal enjoying the beauty of Enchanted Rock.

South Texas quail spotted at Nanez Ranch (San Antonio, TX)

One of our biggest thrills and scares came during the first few minutes of one of our very first treks last summer when we caught a quick glimpse of a coral snake.

The infamous jingle, "... red touch yellow, kills a fellow. Red touch black, friend of Jack," has not left my memory since this experience.

By keeping a keen eye and an interested awareness, you can spot even some of the smallest or camoflaged organisms. (Pictured to the right is a stick-bug crawling the grounds of Texas' own Natural Bridge Caverns).

Crawly caterpillar inching its way across a paved path at Comanche Park.

While I personally encourage and enjoy the adventures of our outdoor escapes, I also want my children to realize that the beauty of nature can also be found in their very own backyard and not solely at"designated nature parks." Within our own yard we've found beautiful bluebonnets, an appealing apple tree and even Mud Swallow bird nests.





Mud Swallows nested in our home's porch overhang, These birds return yearly to rebuild and nest their eggs.

http://www.naturalbridgecaverns.com/
www.sanantonio.gov/sapar/
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/

Project Wild at Eisenhower Park

With the residual rain from a tropical storm named Hermine, today was a perfect example that we must sometimes cater our plans to Mother Nature. San Antonio and its surrounding areas are so often victims to drought, that even our youth cheer at the sights and sounds of rain.

Top picture is Susan Campbell using song as a lesson demonstration. Pictured below Susan, is Chris Moseley  providing explanation of today's activities.

Unfortunately, today's downpour cancelled a few of the planned activities. However, our facilitators-- Chris Moseley, Susan Campbell, Matthew Driffell and Koy Coffer did an excellent job in ensuring that not a dull moment was to be found under our pavilion.

Each workshop participant was given an assortment of materials
and two textbooks. These textbooks will undoubtedly, be a priceless addition to any K-12 classroom.

Several of today's activities required that participants work  individually and in both small and large groups. The mixture of teaching strategies made the learning experience more enjoyable, especially given the weather conditions that we were each required to work through.

Our final group project (pictured below) was a larger project. Using an activity chosen from our textbooks, we created and presented a fun and interactive science lesson to our peers.

The lesson titled, How Many Bears Can Live in This Forest, required the use of materials that are readily available in nearly all classrooms. The objecitves, methods and procedures for this lesson were all very simple and user friendly.

Five other groups presented their lessons as well. After completing our lesson and watching/interacting with the remaining five lessons, I definititely appreciate the importance of incorporating these tools into the classroom. Often times education is the best prevention. Educating our youth about the importance of preserving nature is now even easier with the help of Project Wild.  Thank you Texas Parks and Wildlife Department!  

http://www.projectwild.org/

http://www.sanaturalareas.org/

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/