Classroom Chat

The days begin to seem long with state testing this term. I am noticing the children begin to zone out and brain power is low. To keep things up and running, engage in a classroom discussion. Ask them: What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done? Why did you do it? Did you tell your parents you did it or get caught doing it, and did you get in trouble? Would you do it again? You might find out a lot about your students and be able to connect with them on a deeper level. Always remember that the heart of teaching is building relationships with your students. Subject matter is only the beginning. 

I haven't posted on here in a while...it has been over two months! I was motivated by someone today to get back on here and share my wisdom. 

So I went to the Oregon Zoo today and had a blast. I can't remember the last time I took a trip to the zoo, I felt like a kid again! I was noticing a lot of conservation awareness signs as I was walking around. Children had made posters about endangered animals and the human role in habitat destruction, a very educational opportunity for them. Kudos to the zoo. 

My zoo-goer companion was disappointed that his favorite exhibit, the Malayan Sun Bears, were not out to play today. I found some information to share with your students if you are studying habitats, biomes or ecosystems (like we are!). What I found was that little research has been done on Malayan sun bears. Their total population size has not even been determined. But what we do know is that their populations in the wild are declining. Malayan sun bears are being poached for their gall bladders and bile, which are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. These bears have recently been classified as “vulnerable” on the World Conservation Union’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Currently, a significant international effort is underway to encourage the traditional medicine community to promote and exclusively use ingredients in their medicinal remedies which are not derived from from threatened or endangered animals, including any of the 8 remaining bear species. Herbal remedies are encouraged instead.