Homework

I have received a couple more Fed Ex deliveries from the Galapagos program directors since the initial welcome package. This week I received my flight information. I just realized I haven't mentioned the dates on my trip. I leave on September 30th and return October 12th.

One of the packaged I received over the summer included two books for me to read. Yes, class, even some teachers get summer homework assignments! My Father's Island, by Johanna Angermeyer, is a true story about a girl (Johanna) whose father and his four brothers fled Nazi Germany for the Galapagos where they lived like Robinson Crusoes. Unfortunately, Johanna grew up in the states and dreamed of returning to the islands her father had loved. Reading about Johanna's family life on the Galapagos Islands got me even more excited about my trip. One day during our trip, we will even be eating dinner at Angermeyer Point on Santa Cruz Island! The other book, written by Michael H. Jackson, is a natural history book entitled Galapagos. I'm still working on that one. It details the natural history of the plants and animals found in the Galapagos.

Any questions, students?

Did you know there was a bird with blue feet…big, blue, webbed feet? Well, there is. It's the blue-footed booby! And the male blue-footed booby dances for the female, showing off his big, blue feet! The Galapagos is also home to the red-footed booby and the masked booby. (Do they also dance for each other?) Besides the boobies, the islands have frigate birds. The male frigates have a large, red throat sac that inflates like a balloon. Sound attractive? If you were a female frigate, it would! (Why are these birds called frigate birds? Isn't that a type of ship?) Marine iguanas can only be found on the Galapagos Islands. (Marine iguanas? Does that mean they live in the ocean?) These lizards grow to about three feet long and feed exclusively on algae and seaweed. I also hope to see giant Galapagos tortoises. Years ago, people realized these tortoises were in dire need of our protection. Fortunately, the Charles Darwin Research Station was established to help save these animals from extinction. (Why were they endangered? What made the population decrease? How many are left in the wild?) Speaking of Darwin, the Galapagos Islands are the birthplace of his theory of evolution. (What does his theory state? Didn't it have something to do with the beaks of finches?)

In class, we talked about the importance of asking scientific questions. Be observant and ask questions. Be that two-year old who always asks, "Why?”

What is the purpose of the trip?

I know it sounds like I am taking two weeks off from school just to have fun, but isn't learning supposed to be fun?! There are many reasons for this expedition, and all pertain to the teaching and learning that occurs in my classroom. The program seeks to inspire the teaching and learning of environmental stewardship by meeting the following objectives:

1) to develop creative teaching strategies using the Galapagos as a case study;
2) to provide teachers with opportunities to speak with experts, community advocates, and participate in group learning activities;
3) to build global skills and perspectives;
4) to broaden awareness about environmental sustainability and stewardship;
5) to expand collaborative skills through professional presentations;
6) and to foster continued collaboration between US and Galapagueño educators.

Don’t the Galapagos Islands sound like the perfect classroom setting for these lessons?

Thank you, or better yet, gracias!

In all of the excitement preparing for my trip, I want to thank some of the people who helped make this trip possible. I can't think of a better way (other than buying them souvenirs in South America!) than to post their names on my blog.

Gracias to Robert and Judy for your support from day one...Lyn and Irene for brainstorming, proofing, and looking at my work with fresh eyes...Donna and Chris for your letters of recommendations...Mom for the many meals that provided me with the energy to slave away at my work...Toyota for funding the program...the IIE selection committee for choosing me...and gracias to the Mt. Laurel Administrative Team and Board of Education who are allowing me to take off two weeks during the school year!

And students, I want to thank you in advance for behaving for the substitute!

I am going to the Galapagos!

When I saw a Fed Ex package from Washington DC on my porch during the last week of May of 2007, I knew it had to be good news. One month prior, I had applied to participate in an international teacher program in the Galapagos Islands. The recipients were to be notified by June, and June was only a few days away. I put my heart and soul into the application essays, revising and editing almost every day for about a month. My hard work paid off! The congratulatory letter stated I was one of twenty-four United States teachers selected to participate in the Toyota International Teacher Program through the Institute of International Education. I am going to the Galapagos Islands!