Take Off!

 Author: Annette O. Brown  Date Created: February 20, 2017 . (Excerpt)

I was imagining the intricacies involved in constructing an airplane.  These devices are equipped with the necessary mechanisms for flight!

A few hours earlier I decided to take a very brisk walk to one of my favorite areas.  I checked the estimated time for sunset and I had about twenty minutes of daylight left.  Motivated to beat "nature's clock"  I raced out of the house armed with my phone and camera.

The sun was setting and as I got closer to the park I could hear the noisy cries of the ducks wading on the pond.  The park lights were on, these lights, together with the last visible rays of the sun, created an interesting sparkle of color on the shimmering pond.   

Not much happening, I thought, but it is peaceful.  Just then a group of ducks took off, up and away from the other ducks wading on the pond.  I watched them effortlessly fly up together, soaring above the water, the trees and forming themselves into a familiar V shape as they pressed into the sky.  Now that was interesting to watch.  A few other groups of ducks seemingly decided to leave in a similar manner taking off easily and seamlessly....Take off, came to mind......

Definition of takeoff (Merriam Webster)

1. 1:  an imitation especially in the way of caricature
2. 2a :  a spot at which one takes offb :  a starting point :  point of departure
3. 3a :  a rise or leap from a surface in making a jump or flight or an ascent in an aircraft or in the launching of a rocketb :  an action of starting outc :  a rapid rise in activity, growth, or popularity <an economic takeoff>
4. 4:  an action of removing something
5. 5:  a mechanism for transmission of the power of an engine or vehicle to operate some other mechanism

Catching the Sun (excerpt)

Author: Annette O. Brown

Date: December 24, 2016

I woke up early this morning.....the Sun was not up yet.  After opening the Bible to read and receive a word and then meditating on the scriptures, I was inspired ....."I'm going to get a picture of the Sun rising" I thought.

I put on some outdoor clothes, adjusted my hair and grabbed one of Mum's hats.  "Dad I'm gonna take some pictures of the sunrise."  I called out as I made my move quickly for an exit.

Outside the dew had kissed the ground.  White flowers in the manicured lawns looked like the freshly fallen manna I just read about in Exodus.  I just started walking, looking forward into the sky.  I saw streaks of sunlight and moved in the direction I sensed I would see the actual Sun.  

I walked swiftly around the corner, however, the view was blocked by the carefully placed homes opposite Carr Circle and along Palm Bay Road.  "I'll have to cross the street and turn down the next block".  I thought to myself.  I was getting a "better view", however, I was still only seeing the effects of the Sun on its way up.  More bright rays colored the sky.  "Wow, I need to walk further than I thought"....I decided to go back for the car.....

Educators in Tortola, British Virgin Islands - Exploration of measurement tasks for elementary mathematics (Grades K-5)

 MATH IN ACTION

 I had the pleasure of facilitating a professional development opportunity for a group of public school teachers in the beautiful country of Tortola, British Virgin Islands. 

Teachers experienced math explorations to support elementary understanding of measurement as it relates to parts of the body.  For example, what other part of our body has a length that is equal to the distance measured around our heads?