Butterfly eggs retrieved from field, seen through life cycle.....

    As I was going through the few local newspapers I cam across this article that was just so full of optimism and opportunity that I thought I would share it. With all the not so good news in the world today it is such a breath of fresh air to find one that is worth repeating.
   "For first graders at Howard Dobbs Elementary, springtime is for raising monarch butterflies."
   "For the past several years, teacher Mary Akin has searched Rockwall fields for milkweed, a prime habitat for egg-laying butterflies."
   "Ms. Akin collected more than sixty eggs this spring. Each class had five to twenty eggs for students to witness the metamorphosis. The eggs were collected during migrating season in late March and into April. The milkweed sprig containing the egg is transferred into a container, such as a plastic butter dish, with air holes in the top. From there, the eggs evolve into caterpillars."
    The idea of bringing something such as this for the young students to witness for themselves will be knowledge they will carry with them throughout their lives. I do so enjoy hearing about teachers who are creative in their methods of teaching. More importantly it is so wonderful when the school as an entity encourages this type of behavior.
    I could just imagine how many more children would benefit from projects such as this one and to be so fortunate to have a teacher that has the drive, ability and wisdom to be so creative in keep their interest.
    "The caterpillar later is moved to a larger container. Over three to five days, it will increase to several thousand times its size leading to the chrysalis state, the hard green cocoon.
    Approximately two weeks later, the monarch emerges and is released within twelve to twenty four hours."
   The young students all had a role to play in nurturing these wondrous creatures. What they will walk away with from this experiment will speak volumes in later years as they remember and sometimes re-live such an exciting time in their lives.
   On a personal note, I applaud all teachers who not only perform the tasks that are required of them, but excel to perform above and beyond for the sake of the children.
   It is always a pleasure to read or hear about all the good that teachers perform, instead of only the not so good things. Recognition due to the exceptional teachers is long overdue. I applaud this newspaper for printing such a worthy article on the good that is accomplished, instead of always focusing in on the not so good.