Summer Activity: How Do Your Garden Friends Grow?

A frequent family visitor to my garden on a summer morning.

A tiny garden, a whole farm--size doesn't matter. Creating a lovely habitat for garden critters (including yourself) is a dynamic way to love a summer.

Butterflies, bees, lizards. hummingbirds all become part of the family when you live part of your summer outside in a garden. Kids thrive just like the rollie pollies Pill Bug (Rollie Pollie) http://www.bugfacts.net/pill-bug.php#.U7MWF7GmV5M in a well mulched garden plot. Morning sunrise is a lovely time to see how the garden and its inhabitants are doing. Bird Song Hero http://biology.allaboutbirds.org/bird-song-hero/ Later, during a lunch picnic, your kids' butterfly family will flutter by. Butterflies and Moths of North America http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/

How to Create a Butterfly Garden in a Pot

http://www.hgtv.com/gardening/how-to-create-a-butterfly-garden-in-a-pot/index.html

Kids quickly learn most garden dwellers are not dangerous and are deserving of respect. Kids have a serious vested interest in the environment and can make positive contribution through loving your local bees. Help save our bee population with this easy DIY project!http://www.care2.com/greenliving/help-the-bees-with-this-diy-bee-water-garden.html

Extra credit! Helping bees and growing mint for Mom's summer tea.

A garden is an adventurous place, an eco-system alive and active. Kids know when to leave it alone and just observe. Anyone who eats black widow spiders is welcome in my garden, and these mojave

lizards really love it. They are characters that can win a staring contest. When claiming their territory, they do push ups. It is also good to know what else might be in your garden that's not so innocuous. Living With Wild Reptiles and Amphibians

http://www.californiaherps.com/info/livingwithherps.html 

A garden attracts an exciting variety of birds--your kid will be just as excited about the bird feeder as old great Aunt Maxine--and they will have a lot to talk about! Hummingbirds are curious, funny friends in the garden, finches keep a regular schedule of feeder visits, and around here we even get the occasional roadrunner (beep beep.) Ravens here are so regular in their habits, you can name them.

Backyard Bird Identifierhttp://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birding/backyard-bird-identifier/

 

The Unloved.

The Loved.

Kids love bugs. Digging around in the garden doing maintenance can transport a child into the marvelous world in the dirt, on the plants. The interrelated lives of garden insects. Good Garden Bugs, the Ten Most Wanted http://www.clean-organized-family-home.com/garden-bugs-good.html#sthash.DE8v0D2E.dpbs 

 

Loving those worms, lacewings, pillbugs, kids joining all the community of the garden.

This is my favorite post, probably because it reminds me of so many lovely visits to the garden. 

Keeping Butterflies, Bees and Hummingbirds Happy 

http://melanielinktaylor.mzteachuh.org/2014/05/summer-activity-keeping-butterflies.html?spref=bl

Summer Activity: How Do Your Garden Friends Grow?

A frequent family visitor to my garden on a summer morning.

A tiny garden, a whole farm--size doesn't matter. Creating a lovely habitat for garden critters (including yourself) is a dynamic way to love a summer.

Butterflies, bees, lizards. hummingbirds all become part of the family when you live part of your summer outside in a garden. Kids thrive just like the rollie pollies Pill Bug (Rollie Pollie) http://www.bugfacts.net/pill-bug.php#.U7MWF7GmV5M in a well mulched garden plot. Morning sunrise is a lovely time to see how the garden and its inhabitants are doing. Bird Song Hero http://biology.allaboutbirds.org/bird-song-hero/ Later, during a lunch picnic, your kids' butterfly family will flutter by. Butterflies and Moths of North America http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/

How to Create a Butterfly Garden in a Pot

http://www.hgtv.com/gardening/how-to-create-a-butterfly-garden-in-a-pot/index.html

Kids quickly learn most garden dwellers are not dangerous and are deserving of respect. Kids have a serious vested interest in the environment and can make positive contribution through loving your local bees. Help save our bee population with this easy DIY project!http://www.care2.com/greenliving/help-the-bees-with-this-diy-bee-water-garden.html

Extra credit! Helping bees and growing mint for Mom's summer tea.

A garden is an adventurous place, an eco-system alive and active. Kids know when to leave it alone and just observe. Anyone who eats black widow spiders is welcome in my garden, and these mojave

lizards really love it. They are characters that can win a staring contest. When claiming their territory, they do push ups. It is also good to know what else might be in your garden that's not so innocuous. Living With Wild Reptiles and Amphibians

http://www.californiaherps.com/info/livingwithherps.html 

A garden attracts an exciting variety of birds--your kid will be just as excited about the bird feeder as old great Aunt Maxine--and they will have a lot to talk about! Hummingbirds are curious, funny friends in the garden, finches keep a regular schedule of feeder visits, and around here we even get the occasional roadrunner (beep beep.) Ravens here are so regular in their habits, you can name them.

Backyard Bird Identifierhttp://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birding/backyard-bird-identifier/

 

The Unloved.

The Loved.

Kids love bugs. Digging around in the garden doing maintenance can transport a child into the marvelous world in the dirt, on the plants. The interrelated lives of garden insects. Good Garden Bugs, the Ten Most Wanted http://www.clean-organized-family-home.com/garden-bugs-good.html#sthash.DE8v0D2E.dpbs 

 

Loving those worms, lacewings, pillbugs, kids joining all the community of the garden.

This is my favorite post, probably because it reminds me of so many lovely visits to the garden. 

Keeping Butterflies, Bees and Hummingbirds Happy 

http://melanielinktaylor.mzteachuh.org/2014/05/summer-activity-keeping-butterflies.html?spref=bl

Summer Activity: Can You Swim?

Olympic Gold Medal Winner Cullen Jones and the Make a Splash Initiative http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/USA/34367.asp?q=Water-Safety-Make-a-Splash-Tour-Featuring-Cullen-Jones-Hits-New-York

Swimming is so much fun--as close to flying as you can imagine. But lots of kids don't have instruction in swimming and water safety. And, btw, grown-ups, do you swim? Or do you just sit by the pool/lake/river/ocean and watch the kids have fun? Let's get with it! Just for safety's sake if nothing else. And girls and ladies, wet hair shouldn't deter you. There are caps, if desired. Sunburn shouldn't deter you--wear a tee shirt and waterproof sunblock, and watch the time. Find a cool summer hat. Too fat, too skinny? Who cares. And if you swim enough, it will give you a marvelous, smooth, muscular bod, and improve your physical and mental health amazingly. Mostly,  IT IS JUST SO MUCH FUN! And we're not even discussing games, sports, and activities involving water. Here is some inspiration to learn:

Simone Manuel,, USA 2016

"The gold medal wasn't just for me. It was for people that came before me and inspired me to stay in the sport. For people who believe that they can't do it. I hope I'm an inspiration to others to get out there and try swimming. You might be pretty good at it."

See girls, swim caps can look cute.

Water Safety Make a Splash Tour Featuring Cullen Jones Hits New York

http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/USA/34367.asp?q=Water-Safety-Make-a-Splash-Tour-Featuring-Cullen-Jones-Hits-New-York 

The Importance Of Swimming Lessons For Safety, Health and Enjoyment

http://www.enjoy-swimming.com/importance-of-swimming.html 

17 yr old Lia Neal wins Olympic swim medal

Why Is It Important to Know How to Swim?

http://www.livestrong.com/article/457393-why-is-it-important-to-know-how-to-swim/ 

5 reasons swimming lessons are important for older kids and tweens

http://www.chicagonow.com/tween-us/2013/10/tween-pool-swimming-lessons/ 

Confidence in the water--oh yeah.

Disabled Swimmers Gus and Nia Swimming at Northern Arena 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcCs9nWl7ZY 

What's Good About Being a Swimmer

http://swimming.about.com/od/swimworkouts/a/swim_benefit.htm 

 

What's good about being a swimmer? Well, guys, you can look like Michael Phelps. http://www.michaelphelpsfoundation.org/

 

Summer Activity: Can You Swim?

Olympic Gold Medal Winner Cullen Jones and the Make a Splash Initiative http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/USA/34367.asp?q=Water-Safety-Make-a-Splash-Tour-Featuring-Cullen-Jones-Hits-New-York

Swimming is so much fun--as close to flying as you can imagine. But lots of kids don't have instruction in swimming and water safety. And, btw, grown-ups, do you swim? Or do you just sit by the pool/lake/river/ocean and watch the kids have fun? Let's get with it! Just for safety's sake if nothing else. And girls and ladies, wet hair shouldn't deter you. There are caps, if desired. Sunburn shouldn't deter you--wear a tee shirt and waterproof sunblock, and watch the time. Find a cool summer hat. Too fat, too skinny? Who cares. And if you swim enough, it will give you a marvelous, smooth, muscular bod, and improve your physical and mental health amazingly. Mostly,  IT IS JUST SO MUCH FUN! And we're not even discussing games, sports, and activities involving water. Here is some inspiration to learn:

Simone Manuel,, USA 2016

"The gold medal wasn't just for me. It was for people that came before me and inspired me to stay in the sport. For people who believe that they can't do it. I hope I'm an inspiration to others to get out there and try swimming. You might be pretty good at it."

See girls, swim caps can look cute.

Water Safety Make a Splash Tour Featuring Cullen Jones Hits New York

http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/USA/34367.asp?q=Water-Safety-Make-a-Splash-Tour-Featuring-Cullen-Jones-Hits-New-York 

The Importance Of Swimming Lessons For Safety, Health and Enjoyment

http://www.enjoy-swimming.com/importance-of-swimming.html 

17 yr old Lia Neal wins Olympic swim medal

Why Is It Important to Know How to Swim?

http://www.livestrong.com/article/457393-why-is-it-important-to-know-how-to-swim/ 

5 reasons swimming lessons are important for older kids and tweens

http://www.chicagonow.com/tween-us/2013/10/tween-pool-swimming-lessons/ 

Confidence in the water--oh yeah.

Disabled Swimmers Gus and Nia Swimming at Northern Arena 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcCs9nWl7ZY 

What's Good About Being a Swimmer

http://swimming.about.com/od/swimworkouts/a/swim_benefit.htm 

 

What's good about being a swimmer? Well, guys, you can look like Michael Phelps. http://www.michaelphelpsfoundation.org/

 

Summer Activity: How Do Your Garden Friends Grow?

A frequent family visitor to my garden on a summer morning.

A tiny garden, a whole farm--size doesn't matter. Creating a lovely habitat for garden critters (including yourself) is a dynamic way to love a summer.

Butterflies, bees, lizards. hummingbirds all become part of the family when you live part of your summer outside in a garden. Kids thrive just like the rollie pollies Pill Bug (Rollie Pollie) http://www.bugfacts.net/pill-bug.php#.U7MWF7GmV5M in a well mulched garden plot. Morning sunrise is a lovely time to see how the garden and its inhabitants are doing. Bird Song Hero http://biology.allaboutbirds.org/bird-song-hero/ Later, during a lunch picnic, your kids' butterfly family will flutter by. Butterflies and Moths of North America http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/

How to Create a Butterfly Garden in a Pot

http://www.hgtv.com/gardening/how-to-create-a-butterfly-garden-in-a-pot/index.html

Kids quickly learn most garden dwellers are not dangerous and are deserving of respect. Kids have a serious vested interest in the environment and can make positive contribution through loving your local bees. Help save our bee population with this easy DIY project!http://www.care2.com/greenliving/help-the-bees-with-this-diy-bee-water-garden.html

Extra credit! Helping bees and growing mint for Mom's summer tea.

A garden is an adventurous place, an eco-system alive and active. Kids know when to leave it alone and just observe. Anyone who eats black widow spiders is welcome in my garden, and these mojave

lizards really love it. They are characters that can win a staring contest. When claiming their territory, they do push ups. It is also good to know what else might be in your garden that's not so innocuous. Living With Wild Reptiles and Amphibians

http://www.californiaherps.com/info/livingwithherps.html 

A garden attracts an exciting variety of birds--your kid will be just as excited about the bird feeder as old great Aunt Maxine--and they will have a lot to talk about! Hummingbirds are curious, funny friends in the garden, finches keep a regular schedule of feeder visits, and around here we even get the occasional roadrunner (beep beep.) Ravens here are so regular in their habits, you can name them.

Backyard Bird Identifierhttp://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birding/backyard-bird-identifier/

 

The Unloved.

The Loved.

Kids love bugs. Digging around in the garden doing maintenance can transport a child into the marvelous world in the dirt, on the plants. The interrelated lives of garden insects. Good Garden Bugs, the Ten Most Wanted http://www.clean-organized-family-home.com/garden-bugs-good.html#sthash.DE8v0D2E.dpbs 

 

Loving those worms, lacewings, pillbugs, kids joining all the community of the garden.

This is my favorite post, probably because it reminds me of so many lovely visits to the garden. 

Keeping Butterflies, Bees and Hummingbirds Happy 

http://melanielinktaylor.mzteachuh.org/2014/05/summer-activity-keeping-butterflies.html?spref=bl

Educational Links 5/23/15

Sierra Club Inner City Outdoor Program http://content.sierraclub.org/outings/ico

Learning With Nature

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/learning-with-nature-marina-robb-victoria-mew 

How Schools Can Help Nurture Students’ Mental Health

http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/05/22/how-schools-can-help-nurture-students-mental-health/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+kqed%2FnHAK+%28MindShift%29 

Facing the New Realities of Special Education 

http://www.specialneedsdigest.com/2015/05/facing-new-realities-of-special.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FLUdSt+%28Special+Needs+Digest%29 

Making Your Classroom More Like A Playground

http://www.teachthought.com/teaching/bringing-a-sandbox-approach-to-your-classroom/ 

6 Summer Learning Activities to Do With Kids

http://www.teachercreated.com/blog/2015/05/6-summer-learning-activities-to-do-with-kids/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TeacherCreatedTips+%28TEACHER+CREATED+TIPS%29

The Week in Review - The Most Popular Posts 

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2015/05/the-week-in-review-most-popular-posts_23.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+freetech4teachers%2FcGEY+%28Free+Technology+for+Teachers%29#.VWEEVUbQMo0 

Top Tips to Create an Organized, Blended Learning Space for Students! 

http://www.kleinspiration.com/2015/05/top-tips-to-create-organized-blended.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+http%2Fwwwkleinspirationcom%2Ffeeds%2Fposts%2Fdefault+%28Kleinspiration%29 

New Math Websites for Teachers

http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2015/05/5-new-math-websites-for-teachers.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+educatorstechnology%2FpDkK+%28Educational+Technology+and+Mobile+Learning%29 

Best of the Best: Apple and Google Educator Programs

http://www.edudemic.com/what-are-apple-distinguished-educators-and-how-can-i-be-one/ 

 

Summer Activity: How Do Your Garden Friends Grow?

A frequent family visitor to my garden on a summer morning.

A tiny garden, a whole farm--size doesn't matter. Creating a lovely habitat for garden critters (including yourself) is a dynamic way to love a summer.

Butterflies, bees, lizards. hummingbirds all become part of the family when you live part of your summer outside in a garden. Kids thrive just like the rollie pollies Pill Bug (Rollie Pollie) http://www.bugfacts.net/pill-bug.php#.U7MWF7GmV5M in a well mulched garden plot. Morning sunrise is a lovely time to see how the garden and its inhabitants are doing. Bird Song Hero http://biology.allaboutbirds.org/bird-song-hero/ Later, during a lunch picnic, your kids' butterfly family will flutter by. Butterflies and Moths of North America http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/

How to Create a Butterfly Garden in a Pot

http://www.hgtv.com/gardening/how-to-create-a-butterfly-garden-in-a-pot/index.html

Kids quickly learn most garden dwellers are not dangerous and are deserving of respect. Kids have a serious vested interest in the environment and can make positive contribution through loving your local bees. Help save our bee population with this easy DIY project!http://www.care2.com/greenliving/help-the-bees-with-this-diy-bee-water-garden.html

Extra credit! Helping bees and growing mint for Mom's summer tea.

A garden is an adventurous place, an eco-system alive and active. Kids know when to leave it alone and just observe. Anyone who eats black widow spiders is welcome in my garden, and these mojave

lizards really love it. They are characters that can win a staring contest. When claiming their territory, they do push ups. It is also good to know what else might be in your garden that's not so innocuous. Living With Wild Reptiles and Amphibians

http://www.californiaherps.com/info/livingwithherps.html 

A garden attracts an exciting variety of birds--your kid will be just as excited about the bird feeder as old great Aunt Maxine--and they will have a lot to talk about! Hummingbirds are curious, funny friends in the garden, finches keep a regular schedule of feeder visits, and around here we even get the occasional roadrunner (beep beep.) Ravens here are so regular in their habits, you can name them.

Backyard Bird Identifier http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birding/backyard-bird-identifier/

 

The Unloved.

The Loved.

Kids love bugs. Digging around in the garden doing maintenance can transport a child into the marvelous world in the dirt, on the plants. The interrelated lives of garden insects. Good Garden Bugs, the Ten Most Wanted http://www.clean-organized-family-home.com/garden-bugs-good.html#sthash.DE8v0D2E.dpbs 

 

Loving those worms, lacewings, pillbugs, kids joining all the community of the garden.

This is my favorite post, probably because it reminds me of so many lovely visits to the garden. 

Keeping Butterflies, Bees and Hummingbirds Happy 

http://melanielinktaylor.mzteachuh.org/2014/05/summer-activity-keeping-butterflies.html?spref=bl