As I perused the rethinking web site I was amazed all that it had to offer, especially some As I perused the rethinking web site I was amazed all that it had to offer, special’s I perused the rethinking web site I was amazed all that it had to offer, especially some subjects pertaining to my students.  The article that first took my eye was the article on “I See Birds Everywhere I GO” engaging urban students in the natural world by Ellen Royse

Ellen grew up in rural Kentucky she truly enjoyed the outdoors.  Ellen moved to Washington D.C. she was a science teacher, she would teach Urban Ecology to Seniors.  Her students were primarily Black and Latino and they were wary of outdoors.   The students were taken to rock Creek Park a small resistance took place the student did not want to go, because they felt it was unsafe. “They were afraid of their personal safety.”

When the students went to the park it was with great sadness because hypodermic needles, used condoms, a flat screen tv was found in a garbage bag under a pile of leaves. Imagine a beautiful place filled with filth. I enjoyed the quote by David Sobel in his book Beyond Ecophobia “If we want children to flourish, to become truly empowered, then let us allow them to love the Earth before we ask them to save it.”

Ellen tested her students with two quizzes one was about brand name items, the other common urban species of birds.  The did well on the brand name items but not on the bird quiz. This brilliant teacher wanted to share her love of birds to her students. She stated, “Adopt a bird” the setudent had to learn all about them, how they ate, where they came from, how they sounded. They were provided with professional grad binoculars, they were taught how to handle and respect them.

This assignment was a great experience for the students. Ellen stated that students found “naming the birds gave them both value and individuality” The students come mimic the sound the birds made. This creative approach (something that is offered to the elite and professional class) was something offered to the black and Latino. (thanks Michele) Some of the students went on to study biology, ecology and urban ecology. These students were truly blessed by having Ellen as their teacher.

I have my own story to share as a child, my grandmother always had Fitches and Parakeets in her home. In her basement she would have cages, she was raising parakeets, if we were quite we could see the process.  It was so interesting, I was given my first parakeet at age 4 or 5 years old.  At my grandmothers, we would sit on her porch and she would point out the different birds.

At my home in the spring time we would always look for the first Robin to be seen. In our yard, we had a tree an an owl resided for many years, we would watch her take flight in the evening sky. Once we were fortunate enough to see her teach her babies to fly.

After my father’s death in 2008 it was to our surprise that each spring my mother would find a nest near the porch and new life would begin. The birds were of different species each year, my mom felt it was a sign from Heaven that dad was watching out for her. My mother passed away in 2014 and I have not seen a new nest since then.