I don't know exactly what made you click on this post. Maybe you are mad that I would call you a bigot. Maybe you are curious as to why I'm calling myself one. Whatever it is, I ask that this post starts a discussion that you will have with those you feel most comfortable with.
Breathe Deep, Seek Peace
“Breathe Deep, Seek Peace” is a common greeting and farewell in Dinotopia. The first part comes from the dolphins that surround the island. They are responsible for bringing ship-wrecked sailors safely onto shore. By breathing deep, they are able to live an aquatic life even though they do not have gills. The second part is thought to come from the dinosaurs themselves, as a response to the terrible wars that once happened on the island (pg 51). This simple mantra is what I have been using throughout my teaching. The dolphins remind us to breathe deep the wonder that is around us while the dinosaurs speak from millennia of wisdom by seeking peace.
Pokemon Naturalist: In defense of gaming in Environmental Education
Now both my nature friends and nerd friends have a problem with this game. Yes, people are busy on their screens. Yes, the gameplay sucks. Yes, people might run into things because they are not paying attention. Yes, there is barely any gameplay (did I mention that the gameplay sucks?).
But to explain why this is an essential tool for Environmental Educators we need to go back. Before I climbed any mountains. Before I had even left the state of Pennsylvania...
(Cover photo courtesy of Nieris on Deviantart)