Handle With Care

There’s nothing quite as exciting in nature as getting to see it up close. In order to get that opportunity, we’ve learned how to walk with quiet footsteps and communicate with only a gesture or a whisper. We are also realizing how to slow our bodies down so we are better able to watch and wait patiently. These can be big challenges for kids but we’ve discovered what comes next can be even more difficult. How do we catch ‘gifts of nature’ safely if given the chance and how can we release them back into their environment safely?

A Gift of Nature: Water Striders

We’ve been noticing water striders since mid-spring as they scoot across the surface of the creek. We have been curious to discover how they are able to stay on top of the water so we decided to take a closer look. Use the following photos to talk about what you did and what you learned about making and catching water striders.

A Gift of Nature: Crayfish

We have been searching for signs of crayfish in the creek for weeks now and have only noticed a few from the banks of the creek. We understand that they’ve needed time to lay their eggs and molt (shed their own shells). Today we were able to get into the creek and catch some of them in order to examine them up close. What crayfish wisdom did you learn from Antman that will help you become a better caretaker of these amazing creatures?

Self-Exploration and Discovery

Whether you chose to spend time on your own or time with others today, what kinds of things did you discover?

Happy birthday this week to our one and only Squirrrel!

We hope that the wishes for each bead on your birthday bracelet come true!

It’s important to remember that people, just like crayfish and water striders need to be handled with care too. Let’s keep thinking about how we treat each other at nature school. Are we using kind words, giving others the space they need, letting small issues go? Our goal should always be to live in harmony with each other as well as with nature. Let's see how great of a harmony-maker you can be at home and at nature school this week.

One last reminder about the open houses this Saturday. Come and show your family around or even better, bring a friend who might like to become a Chickadee next year!