We were busy sowing seeds in young brains today with hopes that a forest full of change is part of their future. Earth Week is our chance to take the plunge into our personal relationship with nature. Kids feel the pressure of our changing world, especially when it comes to the environment. We want our little people to feel powerful to make things better. Today we brought in a local earth healing hero, Todd Sleeper. Ask your child about Todd’s story; what did he notice while paddling in his canoe on the Thames River? What did Todd do about it, and what did his personal passion turn in to over the next 25 years. Hope this brings you out to the Thames River Clean Up this Saturday. Check out the video on this website of all the strange things thrown into our watershed!
Todd also makes bird nesting boxes. What does he make these out of and why is that so COOL! (waste pallets, so it’s repurposing). There are a few species of birds that like to nest in the box, but one type is endangered. So he was pretty happy to discover this bird nesting in one of his boxes. What bird is this? (Eastern Bluebird). Todd gave us one for nature school and we added some painted pictures. This will put up beside the crop field next week. Why would birds like this spot?
Our morning started with some hunting for animals we might see right here at the farm. What species make their home around Stoneridge?
For our older kids we found some pictures of problems and solutions. What were some of the matches between what’s wrong and how we can take steps to fix it. Talk about actions your child is already taking and what else they could do along with your family to make a difference for the environment. They may talk about some gases from cows that contribute to climate change.
Even when it rains we can put on our waterproof coats and get outside. This is what we did with the horses today. Which pony does not wear a raincoat and why? (Jester: He has learned to take off his coat and leave it outside in the mud).
Acrostic poems are made using words and attaching meanings; feelings, ideas, concepts, or actions to add description. It’s a great way to teach adjectives in a fun way. We collected objects in the forest that attracted us and used them to build our own NATURE acrostic poem. Try some more of this poetry writing at home.
Different cultures and different types of people care for the earth in different ways. In the Andes mountains, Indigenous people there call Mother Earth by the name Pachamama. She is beautiful and loves her people and all living creatures. Taking a moment of reflection on how our planet provides us with everything we need. Can you child name a couple of things provided by Mother Earth to us? On land, in the water and the sky there is so much to be grateful for.
At Stoneridge Farm, there are lots of trees and today we added a big more diversity by planting two new species. What are they? (Red Maple and Ninebark). Does your child remember what you need to do to plant a tree? Making sure you have a good spot is the first thing to do. What is the next step? And as a final step how did we mark the spots so we can visit them next week?
Trees are homes to bugs. Sometimes bugs live in our trees but they are not from around here. We call those bugs Invasive Species. Bugs like the Emerald Ash Borer lays lots of eggs and the they tunnel into the tree and as larva they eat and eat and eat. Then the tree has a hard time surviving because it can't get nutrients and water up and down the trunk. In the end, trees die which is just like in our musical tree game where we had fewer and fewer trees. Ask for an explanation.
After an inspiring day, we finished with some colourful painting and also started an acrostic poem for the word "EARTH". Given all the words, we brainstormed, how would your child complete the poem?
Ask about some favourite moments, learning, fun and discoveries...
Kids brought home their own little piece of nature to care for. This succulent wants a window seat view and only likes water once each month. Begin watering for the first time on Earth Day. With care this little plant will thrive and give you more plants to share through cuttings of stem or leaves. Give her/him a name, pretty pot, and watch the miracle of change. Thanks to Dorothy, a friend of CNS, who started these plants for the children at nature school.
We are grateful to Ladybug, Heron, Dragonfly & Raccoon for bringing their nature loving spirit to share today. Keep getting out into the beautiful wild world until we meet again Forest Friends.
