Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Zinnias and 'Reflecting Accurately'


When I was teaching (high school English), on occasion in the midst of a lesson,

I would think to myself, ‘ I am not going to do this lesson this way again’.


This was all happening in my thinking while I was teaching the lesson.

Why?  Because it didn’t feel right, or because it didn’t sound as interesting as I thought it should,or because my students weren’t ‘getting it’.


This kind of teaching mental gymnastics happens in classrooms daily.

In teaching lingo, this is called 'reflecting accurately'.
Now to my zinnias of 2016.

They look pretty, I am enjoying them as I always do, but something

is a little off.

At first, I couldn’t quite figure out what it was, and then I thought of this.

I have shared this video before as my zinnia gardening inspiration.


I am not going to separate my seeds by color again.
I thought that would make things so convenient in cutting zinnias for bouquets.
 I won't separate the colors again-

not because it isn't beautiful, but because it isn't natural,
it isn't working, they don't 
get it, and they don't like it-

just like my students.

Here's to 'reflecting accurately'.



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20 comments:

Stacey said...

You're so smart. I like for things in the garden to seem natural too. Still, your zinnias are beautiful.

Laurie said...

Social little things, aren't they? Just wanting to hang out with their friends. I just want mine to hurry up and bloom. I keep thinking...any day, now. Your bouquet is very pretty and looks even prettier with your blue and white.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

A riot of colour is much more fun!

Simply LKJ said...

I agree. I love them all mixed as nature intended.

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

I adore zinnias.

Nancy's Notes said...

Natural is perfect! Your zinnias are certainly perfect performing by color too! Your perfect zinnias are special. πŸ’›

Creations By Cindy said...

Well I think your zinnias are beautiful but I agree with you...I like the mixed look too! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Linda said...

Well...I like them, smiles. I had heard that (or read it?) somewhere about Zinnias...smiles

Jeanie said...

I think it drives the guy who does my beginning of the season garden weeding and mulching crazy that I like the colors a bit haphazard. I like it to look like they just grew! (OK, the sweet peas tend to OVER grow, but I can work with that, once they bloom!). I love zinnias any way you plant them but the all-colors-everywhere does so remind me of the wonderful zinnia rows of my grandmother. Next year, Laura! Toss them all in a jar and sow away!

Lea @ CiCis Corner said...

Zinnia's are some of my favorite and I would naturally want them by color. I am OCD. :o)) You always have such wonderful posts!

Blondie's Journal said...

Lesson learned! I admire that you can grow them from seed. Are they perennials in your area?

Wondering if you knew my youngest is a high school English teacher? It definitely takes energy among many, many other things as I'm sure you know.

Jane

Manu said...

I do love colored flowers all together...they make me feel happy!
Have a nice day

Theresa said...

I want some zinnias! Perhaps I will go get me some today:) Have a blessed day picking flowers and "reflecting accurately"! HUGS!

JB said...

I love them no matter what! ❤️πŸŒΈπŸŒΌπŸ’›πŸ’šπŸ’™πŸ’œ
JB

Pondside said...

Laura, that was a lovely illustration of 'reflecting accurately', and one we can all understand.

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...

My husband and I are always in opposite spectrums of gardening.
He prefers groomed, manicured and precise. I prefer natural, unruly and the way that God would have planted a landscape.
So, I totally agree with you!
xo
Jemma

Sandy said...

I love your zinnias and I have that same vase with the zinnias. I actually have two on a stand, but one has the lid broken. You have inspired me. I got mine way back in 1978.

Preppy Empty Nester said...

Your zinnias look gorgeous. I have a list of things that I am not going to do again but then I forget what they are and don't remember til I'm knee deep in the task! Have a great week!

Pam Richardson said...

Well said, Laura! Zinnias are such happy flowers when they are mixed! Have a wonderful week! Pam @ Everyday Living

Bonnie said...

Wish I could grow zinnias like you. Yours are beautiful anyway you choose.

 

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