Wonders Along The Water!

Crossing the bridge for the first time!

Time to get the bug spray on, lather up the sunscreen and get to work on our boats!  Some even received names…Catcher, Hardy, Big Wednesday!  That was first on the agenda for the Turtles as we started our day!  Welcome Mr. Sun!  Did you enjoy the heat?

There was much to wonder about as the Turtles wandered down the trail.  Stop right there!  What animal made those tracks?  Grey Wolf wondered what scraped up some roots along our walk.  The paw print we found was pretty big.  What could scratch the rocks? 

Did you find all the ecosystem bingo items with your small group?  It looks like there were some things that were a bit of a mystery to find.  What were the trickiest ones?  Do you remember the ones both groups couldn’t find?

Open, closed, open, closed?  The waiting is over, the bridge is open!  As we walked quietly over the bridge, what did you see, feel and hear?  When we are still, our senses are ready for action!

Time for our group to find some cool shelter.  We gathered in the library as Grey Squirrel read A Fluffle Of Bunnies, a story about a group of woodland animals searching for a missing gray rabbit. While they searched, we learned all about the different names describing a group of animals.  Did you know a group of gold finches is called a charm?  What is a group of turtles called?  What was the other name Dragonfly added?  Hint…it rhymes with rest!  Were you surprised when the animals found the rabbit with her bunnies?

Okay Hardy, Big Wednesday, Catcher!  Let’s get in the water!  How did your boat do as it floated down the river by Mill Pond?  Bobcat was busy at the repair shop fixing her boat.  Think about how your boat performed.  How would you change the design next time?  Would you leave the construction the same?  What different materials might you choose?  What happened to your boat when it sailed from the dam?  They sure moved a lot faster!

The crayfish and aquatic insects were certainly moving fast too.  Wait a minute!  Was that the same crayfish we caught last week?  It must love us!

Time to visit our tree friends on the way back to the hall.  Butterfly Hill was a great place to relax.  How has your tree friend changed if at all from last week?  As we sat with our journals in the shade or with our tree friends, it was our chance to reflect on the things we experienced such as crayfish, yellow warblers and floating our boats. 

What would you like to revisit or learn in the last few weeks of Coyote Nature School?  Any ideas or activities are welcome!  Write your top three Fan Favourites and bring them next week!