With a Little Help From My Friends

Peace sprout by mj*laflaca
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License

After writing an environmental project with various activities, I discovered that I couldn't decide what to name the Kitchen Composting Activity where students will receive 3 redworms, kitchen scraps (no protein or milk) and shredded paper to watch as the worms make soil through composting.

I NEED YOUR HELP! I hope you would select one of the titles that I have listed or suggest your own really cool title.

I hope you agree with me that this survey is a very effective use for Google Docs: Forms in educational processes, and I want to thank you in advance.

WORDLE: Summer Time Writing Together

Some of my favorite edtech bloggers are using Wordle, to make word clouds from a text sample. The resulting visualization is great. I want to learn how to use Wordle, so I decided this was the best opportunity to begin another PLN activity. I am selecting various blog posts that are important to me, inserting the text into the Wordle generator and posting the resulting Wordle.

The Wordle in this post was created from the wonderful Day In A Sentence submissions for the July 4th week. Established by Kevin Hodgson(DogTrax), this week's Day In A Sentence was sponsored by the authors of TechnoSeeds

Feed the Birds

Feed the Birds! In this time of ever increasing habitat destruction, we can help through habitat creation in our yards, gardens, parks and farms. Many of our smaller, native birds continue to be at risk from imports like starlings.

Since these native birds evolved within our local ecosystem, they fill a niche in the local food web. They are an important link to an ecosystem. Frequently, they need help to make it through the winter. You can help by setting up a feeding station.

Before you consider making a feeding station, remember:
1. birds will depend on your food supply
2. don't start if you think you will tire of the project
3. place feeders in places where cats can't get the birds
4. don't mix seed for larger bird species (set up feeders just for them)
5. keep squirrels out of bird feeders

My favorite small bird feeding station is a very unique feeder that uses a 2 liter bottle to hold the seeds and a small platform screws on the existing bottle threads. It is convenient to refill, and you can replace the bottle whenever you want. I purchased my feeders at my local Ace Hardware. I found this supplier, The Yankee Gardner, online.

Squirrels can't get to the seed because they are too heavy, and the feeding station tilts when they try to use it.

Since I feed small finches, wrens, chickadees and similar types of birds, I use two types of seeds: thistle(black) and safflower seeds. Most of the smaller species love these seeds. The largest birds that will eat these seeds are cardinals, but they don't travel in flocks. They are not a problem for they seem to co-exist with the smaller birds.

Some of my friends, family and colleagues create small bird habitats also. It would be wonderful to learn what they are doing.

If you love beauty, you will be rewarded by feeding the unique, small native birds in your region.