Teaching Moments

“I guess you could call it a "failure", but I prefer the term "learning experience".” 

― Andy Weir, The Martian

Are we truly nearing the middle of March?

I get a little fickled this time of year.  I'm not quite ready for winter to end, but at the same time I love seeing all the spring blossoms.

No matter the season, I've been buried under my "weekend project" which has become a two week marathon.   I underestimated the time, and possibly my ability.  I think most guessed my mystery project as curtains.  Yes, I am making the curtains for my grand-daughter's nursery.   We couldn't find ready-made curtains exactly as desired, so of course, I quickly said I can easily 

make something.   

I spent most of the first days of this project measuring, measuring and measuring again.  Once I have a vision I am not one to spend a lot of time planning; however,  I believe in measuring.   So yes, I measured not twice, but three times.   When I was satisfied everything was the length needed, I pulled the welt thread to make sure my cut would be straight and on grain.  Well, it didn't end up how I expected.

I moved from table to floor, back to the table and back to the floor.  (This was much easier the last time I made curtains....possibly 20 years ago.)  No matter where I laid the fabric the lines were not straight.  Finally with the help of my husband I squared everything and one 60" x 102" panel was constructed.

I spent last weekend with my daughter, and had hoped to take two sets of  finished curtains with me.  I had planned to hang, photograph and post my fabulous success.  It didn't happen.

I'll have another chance to deliver the finished curtains in a couple weeks.

My fingers are crossed.

I'm not certain there is a moral to this story other than measure, measure, measure when necessary... if things don't work out, step back, rethink and try again.   Perhaps purchasing a L square might be a good idea as well.

It has been raining here most of the week.  While I find a rainy day perfect for settling in, at home, with a good book, four consecutive days in the classroom without playground time is not fun.  Midweek I finally gave up and took my children outside to play under the covered walkway.  I gave them perimeters and told them to run and yell.  When I opened the flood gate they rushed out screaming, only to quieten when they found hundreds of worms stranded on the cement trying to escape the saturated ground.   While a few children continued to run and jump, most wanted to pick-up and save the worms.  We talked about earthworms and why they were on the sidewalk.   We observed and measured.  By the time we were ready to line up to go in and wash hands, most of the worms were nothing more than a smashed mush.  I think a few (worms) may have posthumously been given names.   

Every day we are given amazing opportunities to discover and learn.  We need only to slow down,  open our eyes, our minds, and stop, observe and listen.  Yes, even those moments when we have deadlines or think we are about to lose our ever lovin' minds.