Animals and kids

I love this snap. I don't know if you can see them, but there are two rhinos on the left and a giraffe in the center background. The munchkins so enjoyed this zoo. I think the two best parts were all the grassy areas to play in and the yummy slushies we drank!

I just read an article in the New York Times on a new type of desk being tried out in some classrooms. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/25/us/25desks.html?em&exprod=myyahoo The desks have swinging foot rests and stools. They allow the kids to stand or sit and to even 'wiggle' their feet a bit while they stand. I think these desks are brilliant. I can not tell you how many times (especially in middle school) I have seen students, especially boys, who can not sit still. When they are up on their feet working at laboratory stations, then they seem to focus so much better. When I have helped students after school who are struggling with math, we ALWAYS work on our feet and at a large dry-erase board or chalk board. I don't know why, but the info just goes into the brain better that way. To someone like me who's a BIG believer in setting up rotating 'lab' stations in the classroom (and yes, in a lab), these desks come as no surprise. Kudos to the teacher who did this, the furniture company and the SCHOOLS for taking this chance! Awesome!

Well, time to go get my hair 'styled.' I have not had it cut since November or early December? It's time! Then, it's on to playing taxi for the munchkins. At least I got a touch of shopping and a serious swim in this morning.

Peace.