You brought it with you, this really happy vibe with double thumbs up all around our check in circle. We’ve missed each other and got right down to having FUN! This beautiful white mountain won’t last (and who knows when we’ll have this much snow again) so everyone made the best of it. Talk about what you did in the morning when play was all that was on the menu.
Salmon and Frog questioned whether it was the right time, but we know that sap starts running when daytime temperatures inch above freezing. Chickadee and Snail started us off, finding the right drill bit and figuring out where to place the spile (tap). Can you share what you know about what sap is and how we tap a tree? We hope this tasting tree is dripping soon. More next week!
We are learning to look for small critters in winter who may be hiding or sleeping in the cold. Who is this little one and can you talk about it's life cycle. What's the surprise ending (Isabella Tiger Moth).
Stories don’t always have happy endings. Can you tell your family about the Opossum that was in the straw bale pile. What did Coyote do with it and how do we imagine things ended for this unusual critter?
We love wander time, with its free choice of what and who we spend our time with. Who did you hang out with and what were you up to?
Thank you, Pine Haven for providing us with a cozy place to enjoy a winter lunch. The winter wind was calm today and we enjoyed listening to the sound of the fast flowing stream as we exchanged stories with each other. Our ‘dessert’ was exploring the slippery slope of the tippy trail hill.
Nature inspired poetry was also flowing like a river. Have members of your family close their eyes and listen as you read this line to them: “Skittery, scattery, gathery, chattery - stashing my treasures where no one can see. “Ask them if the words painted any pictures in their minds? Share some of the lovely language you used in the poem you wrote today.
Here’s an interesting fact: a 6 inch snow snake is called a ‘snow dart’ and a 36 inch snake is called a ‘mudcat’? What do you think our snakes should be called? They are longer than a snow dart but shorter than a mudcat. Everyone made a lot of progress shaping the head of their snakes. Did you find it easier to use a whittling knife, a peeler, or sandpaper? Our next step will be to make our snakes more colourful by adding some details. If you can try out some different designs by using the paper snakes you took home.
We love having new faces with us. Hawk was flying along with us all day, and Tree Frog (Monique) from the Turtles Program came to help out in the afternoon. We are so grateful for your time and caring for the kids and nature education! You are always in the background making sure we can have times like these together and recording it in photos! That's why we couldn't find you in a picture:).
Each season brings its share of gifts with it. Winter is no exception especially when you’re a nature school kid! Whether it’s inspiring us to write beautiful poems, allowing us to zip down the slopes, or revealing which animals have been moving around, let’s enjoy it while we can!
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