Missing Alaska

95 degrees today!  I took my science club students out to launch rockets during advisory.  We had a great
time but it was really hot.  Made me miss last summer in Alaska.  Here are a few things I miss...

My class 2

2 1/2 more days of school.  My students are having a fun time working on their projects.  They enjoy using their MLDs to complete their research.  When I first gave them the rubric to complete their projects they asked "how do I do this?"  "where am I going to find the answer to this?"  "What does this mean?"  My answer continued to frustrate them..."Did you read the instructions?"  However, after day 2-3 they started doing more research and the questions were clarifying - "can I add this?" and "would you take points off if I included...?"  I can't wait to see the final products.

Saturday!  What a beautiful day.  Rob trimmed the palm trees and we planted more flowers.  But I just can't keep myself from thinking about our future farm.  I added a few more dollars to the farm fund.
I have been working on a new spread sheet with multiple formulas for our farm.  I like the idea and practice of rotating animals on different fields to reduce parasite issues.  I am setting up a formula to determine rotation lengths...set up in 10 acre fields.  Goats should eat tall grasses and shrubs, while the sheep and cows can eat grasses under 6 inches.  Also putting chickens or guinea fowl in rotation helps keep parasites down as well.
How do you feel about concrete floors or wood floors or dirt floors?  I can't decide which is going to be better for my animals especially in the winter.  Again, lots of pros and cons...but I want to hear from people who have success with one over the others.  I realize this is a bit early in the process but it will help me determine the barn(s) we build.
I spent a lot of time reading this week.  Does anyone rent their goats?  I have read a lot about using goats to remove non-indigenous plant species from government property, including dams, state parks, and national monuments.  I would love to hear from anyone who has been hired to help.
I better get back outside, I think the rabbits need more water.  Here are a few picture of several babies.

Carbon Creek Property

I found this great piece of property in Colorado!  40 acres in the mountains and near an airport for Rob.  I contacted the listing agent and found that there are no restrictions on livestock.  I wonder if I can convince Rob to take a trip out to Gunnison to take a look at the property?  Take a look at the property below...

My classroom...

Tomorrow starts the last 6 1/2 days of school.  My students will be working on a project for their final.  I really like projects over exams.  Projects allow students to express themselves in their own words, show what they know about content without sounding like a parrot, and choose the medium to present their knowledge.  The basis of this project is 4 levels of the ecosystem; organism, population, community, and ecosystem.  We go further by including abiotic and biotic factors as well.
I have stopped giving examples of "a final project" and how the project should look.  Instead I want to see each project through the eyes of each of my students.  Student projects should NOT reflect me!  I am just a guide on their journey through science.  I give a purpose for their ideas to make sure that the outcome includes the concepts they should learn.  I can't wait to see where their creativity leads!

We love Alaska...but we are developing a 5 year plan to start a ranch in the West. We are leaning toward Colorado.