Well, year three of my Class in the Woods Project is off to a great start with a new group of 15 enthusiastic kindergartners! We started as in years past...with readings from the Fairy House Trilogy...and off they went, armed with a few safety rules and visions of building fairy houses!
(This Journal entry is more pictorial than narrative. Clicking on a pic will enlarge it.)
With this new group, I have begun a new activity which I think will be very valuable. When we first started the year, I told the children they would need to think about looking for a special spot in the outdoor classroom that we would call their 'thinking spot'. Now, when we go out into the woods, each child goes to their 'thinking spot' for 10 minutes. They will will always use the same spot. The idea is for them to spend 10 minutes quietly observing changes around their special spot, as well as to listen...for birds, for whatever. After the 10 minutes, we have a round table discussion as each child shares, from where they are, what they noticed while sitting quietly.
(This Journal entry is more pictorial than narrative. Clicking on a pic will enlarge it.)
With this new group, I have begun a new activity which I think will be very valuable. When we first started the year, I told the children they would need to think about looking for a special spot in the outdoor classroom that we would call their 'thinking spot'. Now, when we go out into the woods, each child goes to their 'thinking spot' for 10 minutes. They will will always use the same spot. The idea is for them to spend 10 minutes quietly observing changes around their special spot, as well as to listen...for birds, for whatever. After the 10 minutes, we have a round table discussion as each child shares, from where they are, what they noticed while sitting quietly.
I had the students draw a picture of their Nature Spot in their journal and I labeled them as they described their drawings. In the future, we will see more student self-labeling. On the road to writing!
The Butterfly Project
I always like to get caterpillars in the fall and teach the children the life cycle. It's an exciting project as they watch the changes and oh, the excitement when the butterflies finally emerge. Sadly, due to the downfall/decline of the Monarch Butterfly in the northeast, I now have to buy the caterpillars...although I love that Painted Lady Butterflies have coloring similar to Monarchs!
First grade also had a Butterfly Project. When all of the butterflies had hatched, we prepared a Butterfly Snack and then went outside together to release them!
First grade also had a Butterfly Project. When all of the butterflies had hatched, we prepared a Butterfly Snack and then went outside together to release them!
The fall is always a time of exploration. That being said, following are a few pictures of the students getting to know their woods.
One of this year's projects was a study of owls. The culminating event was dissecting Owl Pellets....wow, that was a lot of bone sorting!
As we do every year, this class was also introduced to the fine art of making paper as a means of recycling.
We always begin our planting project in February. This year we planted flowers, lettuce, radishes, and carrots. For the record, the carrots did not produce!
Celebrate Earth Day by cleaning the neighborhood. Stewards of the Earth!
Springtime discoveries!
Our end of year Field Trip was a visit to a Fish Hatchery followed by a picnic and activities at a local state park. The students went on a nature scavenger hunt...great fun!
(Note: Click on the child holding the bag to see the Scavenger List better)
