Day 3- Afternoon

I was awed by the presentations of the various learning portfolios.  Tony spoke of the importance of place and the ties to family.  Alicia spoke quite powerfully about the constant , never-ending worries and joys of being a parent.  Michelle spoke eloquently about how teachers impact students every day, even when they are completely unaware of it.  Ellen's thoughts on how the small moments in our lives are often so powerful was both humorous and poignant.  Marianna's thoughts on the constant juxtapositions that exist in our families- the funny parts, the annoying and rude parts- were wise and loving.  We need to celebrate these moments of our lives as they define us.

Patricia Valley offered so many thoughtful ways for us to incorporate writing across the curriculum.  I think we all know how these methods are helpful, but just reading about them in a book is never as meaningful as actually practicing them.  Giving us time at the end of the day to experience some writing techniques we can use in the classroom was quite helpful.

I chose to close with a poem by Mary Oliver, as I feel her work so powerfully captures how deeply tied we are all to this world we live in.

Recipe for Blueberry Lemon Bread

1 1/2 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
6 tblsp. butter
1 1/2 cup butter
2 eggs
2 tblsp lemon zest
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cups of blueberries

Glaze:
1/3 cup sugar
3 tblsp. lemon juice

Oven at 325.  Coo for approx. 1 1/4 hours.  Combine dry.  Cream butter and sugar.  Add eggs, add lemon zest.  Add dry alternating with milk.  Fold in blueberries.  Pour in loaf pan and bake.

For glaze- mix sugar and lemon juice and bring to a boil.  Poke holes in bread and pour over bread.  Cool.

It's best to use wax paper on the bottom of your bread pan as it is apt to stick.