
There’s a certain kind of magic in the way nature unfolds, and this week at Harrington, we had the pleasure of experiencing that magic in a few incredible ways. From discovering the wildlife that calls the forest home to embracing the joys of fun in the outdoors, our time this week has been filled with exploration, learning, and even a few surprises.

It’s easy to miss the signs left by the animals that roam through the woods, but once you know where to look, the forest becomes a fascinating world of clues. We’ve been learning about different types of animal tracks and what stories they tell us about the creatures that made them. From the delicate prints of deer to the distinct imprints left by foxes, animal tracks offer a peek into the daily lives of wildlife. It’s like being handed a secret map, showing you what they’re doing, and sometimes we can learn about their journeys through the forest while we are away.
While hiking, we came across some wildlife signs. On the half frozen pond, we spotted a swan gliding and flying across the water and a muskrat at the edge of the open water. There were lots of rabbit tracks and a few squirrel tracks too. These little creatures leave behind telltale signs, such as half eaten plants and even scat. What a sight! Tracking animals in the forest is a great winter activity.
We have been learning to pay closer attention to the way animals move. Each species has its own way of traveling, whether it’s the bounding leaps of a rabbit, the deliberate strides of a deer, or the rapid dash of a squirrel. Animal movements aren’t just beautiful to watch; they also offer clues about their behavior, their needs, and how they interact with their environment.
Time in Mystery Forest is spent hiking or observing wildlife but there is also Wander Time. There’s something wonderfully simple about spending time just wandering. Sometimes, it’s about swinging, exploring, building and creative play including an ice cream shop. There is some cedar ice cream made by Owl (I hope the deer don’t eat it). Also Firefly was building a new privacy fence. So many interesting things on the go but some will be a surprise for Beaver’s return next week.
At the library, students immersed themselves in books. Grey Squirrel shared part of a story which got us thinking about the changing season from winter to spring. She also helped us with a special nature project. The library is a great space for reflection and learning.
The winter season has brought some unique adventures of its own. One of the best activities has been tobogganing down the hills—racing the cold wind and feeling the rush of excitement as we glide across the snow. Owl also found and fixed up Ice Eleven (a snow sculpture from last week which is now ice).
We played Fox and Goose in the snow. It’s a simple yet exhilarating game of chasing and evading, where the “fox” tries to catch the “geese” running in and out of snowy tracks. The patterns we create in the snow remind us of animal trails, and there’s always a sense of playfulness in the way we move across the landscape, like the animals we’re pretending to be. We also had an Owl and a Wolf as a predator as they tried to catch the squirrels and the mice. Talk about this game at home.
Comparing animal tracks with our own boot tracks is another way to make connections. There’s a fascinating contrast between the two—while human footsteps are heavy and obvious, the delicate marks of wildlife show a more subtle and graceful movement through the world. It’s a reminder that we share this space with so many other beings, each with their own unique path to follow.
Using clay to be creative with animal tracks some students made clay tracks or prints on bowls and coasters. Some made life size tracks and have a memory to take home and share.
Nature notebooks are used as a record of observations and a place to collect sketches and wonderings from the forest. Rose drew many different animal tracks in her notebook and Firefly drew a wonderful sketch of a winter night in the forest. There’s something calming about documenting these small moments, turning fleeting experiences into lasting memories.
Thank you to Raccoon, Tamarack and the Herons for making this a great day!
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