Life Lessons from a Terrarium
by Jessica Meacham
@jessicameacham
@jessicameacham
Nine years ago I added a terrarium to my classroom.
It’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made for my students and me!
The learning that takes place is immeasurable.
We learn about insects, amphibians, reptiles. We learn about our world. We learn about ourselves!
A classroom is kind of like our terrarium. Critters visiting our terrarium call it their temporary home. They visit with us for awhile. We watch them and observe them and learn from them. Similarly our students visit with us for a short while, we watch them, observe them, and learn from them. We then send them off into the world.
American Dagger Moth Caterpillar
The changes we will go through in life are sometimes unknown to us at the moment.
With patience and and time the new version of ourselves will soon be revealed.
Crickets & Grasshoppers
Sometimes starting small has its benefits.
It gives us time to get used to new situations, environments and to grow!
We’re all singing a song.
What tune are you sharing with the world?
Toads and Frogs
Once we get used to new situations, challenges, or experiences we are better able to be at ease in our own skin and let others get to know us!
Sometimes it’s hard to leave a place of comfort.
Releasing new friends can sometimes be hard to do.
But there will be other opportunities to meet new friends or reunite with old friends!
Praying Mantis
Be patient.
Don’t rush.
Watch for opportunities to come your way.
Slow and steady wins the race.
Monarch Caterpillar Eggs
http://youtu.be/LaoC9hGqAxI
Know what you're passionate about.
Feed your passions.
Share your passions.
When you know your passions and feed them, they’ll grow!
Others may join you and/or be motivated to find and feed their own passions too!
Change is inevitable.
Change is inevitable.
It can be exciting.
Change is inevitable.
It can be exciting.
Sometimes it leads to a new beginning.
Sometimes, despite even our best efforts to prepare...
Sometimes, despite our best efforts to prepare…
Despite our best efforts to research and plan...
Sometimes, despite our best efforts to prepare…
Despite our best efforts to research and plan…
Despite our best attention to detail, watchful eye, and careful dedication...
Sometimes, despite our best efforts to prepare…
Despite our best efforts to research and plan…
Despite our best attention to detail, watchful eye, and careful dedication…
Life doesn’t go as planned. But keep moving forward!
Cecropia Moth
Treat each day as if it could be your last.
Treat each day as if could be your last.
Show the world your beauty. Listen more. Share more. Love more.
Treat each day as if it's your last.
Show the world your beauty. Listen more. Share more. Love more.
Show them how unique and special you are.
Polyphemus Moth
Seek help when you need it.
Accept help when it’s offered.
Leave your mark on the world.
Fishing Spider
Face your fears.
Study your fears.
Begin to understand and shed your fears.
Garden Spider
Every life has value.
Your skills, craft, and purpose add to our world.
Use them!
White-Lined Sphinx Moth
& Praying Mantis
Sometimes things happen in life that we don’t want to happen!
But we can still learn from those experiences.
Garter Snake
Forcing something to happen won’t make your attempts successful.
Sometimes we find ourselves in sticky situations. It doesn’t mean that we’ll be there forever though. There’s always light at the end of the tunnel.
Daddy Long-Legged
& Praying Mantis
Outsmart your tough situations.
Be smarter.
Be stronger.
Be braver.
Take time to learn about and enjoy how our world works!
Virginia Ctenucha
Moth Cocoon
Be on the lookout for new opportunities, experiences, and challenges.
Embrace them when you find them. Face them head on with an attitude of determination, resilience, and gusto!
When you find yourself in a new situation, opportunity, or challenge, the outcome might worry you.
The “unknown” can be scary.
Whatever the outcome, embrace it.
Learn from your experience and apply it to new situations, opportunities, and challenges.
Praying Mantis
and Ootheca
Life can be full of suspense and anticipation.
Sometimes it leads to disappointments.
Other times it leads to joy and satisfaction.
Embrace life.
Four-SPot
Orb Weaver Spider
When you’re unsure of how to approach the task at hand, study it, learn about it, and let it teach you. Seek help from others who’ve had experience with that situation. Learn from them.
Enjoy the learning process!
Nursery Web Spider
Identifying a solution to a problem can be daunting and exhausting.
Don’t give up!
Wooly Bear Caterpillar
& Tiger Moth
Sometimes we just feel like curling up in a ball.
That’s OK.
Just be sure to relax and enjoy life after you’ve had your “moment.”
Unexpected problems will happen...even when you’re trying to accomplish something grandiose.
Embrace the failures, problems and challenges as ways to further your knowledge and grow as a learner.
Blue-Spotted Salamander
Get out of your comfort zone every once in awhile. You might be surprised what you learn from new life experiences.
A community of critters
Learn to cohabitate or coexist.
Desire to learn.
Be a lifelong learner.
Learn from others and teach others what you know.
@jessicameacham