Wow, what a day.  A full day of teaching.  2nd grade in the morning and 5th grade in the afternoon.  We had large groups this morning - I don't think I even counted but I had lots of parent support.  The kids were really into it and we almost could have spent the whole time on one stretch of trail.  They were really into finding insects at first, then we took a stretch of path and I showed them where some salamanders had been found in the past and then onto the dipping pond.  Not nearly enough time at the dipping pond and it was amazing no one fell in considering how crammed they were.  Two strainers fell in because the water was so low.  The afternoon had that fifth grade energy and since they had been here since the morning I think they were feeling pretty comfortable with their surroundings.  I lead a hike for amphibians and reptiles.  We did see one snake but it got away pretty quickly through the cattails and I couldn't even tell what kind it was.  When we had a stopping point I thought I'd try to disspell some of they snake fears and myths and ended up with a few of the guys telling stories of cutting off heads, poking in the eyes, burning in fires.  They were all trying to outdo each other with gore until the teacher and I put a stop to it.  I wasn't sure how to deal with that one exactly other to let them know it was innappropriate and talk about what good snakes do us.  All in all, a good day but tiring.  I'm glad I didn't have the fifth graders all day cause I'd really be pooped.