The boys have been so interested in the lake. We have been looking online at photos of the garbage island in the Pacific Ocean. The boys have been drawing their ideas of a ocean cleaning machine. This week they have built their ideas out of Lego. The boys have discovered the pump system for the waterfall at the pond inlet. While we were there the voles were out running along their paths and the rocks. It was like a vole highway.
Written by S Robitaille. Here are some of the boys drawings of machines to clean the ocean.
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This week after the days of rain the lake was very polluted. The children were curious why it was so dirty. We went to rock island and found more pollution. We also saw a mysterious creature for the third time. Each time it is in a different spot. It bobs up and down in a random pattern. Each time it rises up it varies in height. We are beginning to draw what we think it is. We are also working on ideas how to clean the lake or the oceans. There is a challenge happening that inspired us to design machines or robots to clean the ocean. We will try to draw them and/or build them with Lego.
https://www.littleinventors.org/ There is so much going on in our classroom. Photos to come. Written by S Robitaille. We love to find and watch creatures. Today we went to the big bridge and were visited by a family of ladybugs. They landed on all of us. We saw a red dragon fly too. It landed beside R and startled him. T carried a ladybug for a long while. We were worried it might have been squished by accident but it was fine. It flew away after it woke up. It must have been so comfortable it fell a sleep. We also found a slug. E, Z & R checked the bug guide to see what type, European. T,B & W watched the slug move about a foot to a cool spot. Yesterday we had to visit the dead raccoon again. T needed a photo taken. Written by S Robitaille
We have been visiting the lake each week. We check the water for the depth and hoe clean the water is. This week when we wanted to check the lake there was a group of people at the look out. We could see they had a boat, a motor and a cooler. What could they be doing? The Professor arrived and answered our questions. They were there to take water samples from the lake via the boat. The children and I went around to "rock island" to watch them in the boat. It took a while but they came. The students were like celebrities, the boys shouting "Hi!" over and over again. The good bye was the same. The next day we returned and did our own science testing. We scooped up some water and used test tubes to examine if the water is clean. Some boys chose to add plant material to the water. The fun of scooping, pouring and stirring kept us busy for an hour. The boys also used the test tubes to collect water during the afternoon rain. They measure the collection until they reached 1000ml. The boys have been looking for the storm drains and have realized they are all connected to the lake. The boys love to "fish" for seaweed. We choose to catch and release. We have made a pretend campfire to cook our "fish". Cooking in one pot inspired a quick story about the one dish one spoon wampum belt. We discussed how everyone shares and only takes a small amount to be sure everyone gets some. Written by S Robitaille
We have been working on symmetry. We first drew a leaf to notice the two sides. Next Susanne cut the leaves in half and asked the boys to draw the other half. Later we used a card with a sting to show the centre line. We looked through the card at leaves, flowers, trees and faces. I class we used glass beads to make patterns. The boys have been also exploring measuring tools.
Written by S Robitaille We went to visit the old camp. While we were there W wanted to make a tent. There was several branches at the base of a tree. Working together the children and grownups placed the branches to create the tent. We made sure everything was stable. The next day at camp the boys were enjoying out own fort. Susanne placed the tarp on top to create the roof. Susanne and Roxane were taking turns gathering some found cut down logs to upgrade the gathering area. The boys have been drilling and chiselling the original logs and seating has become limited. Z asked to help Roxane bring back logs. We then noticed carvings in a couple of the logs. Who wrote on the log? Is it writing? Written by S Robitaille
We wore our orange shirts today. Z wore his favourite shirt. We read the story Phyllis's Orange Shirt (4-6yrs version). We saw a video of children in their regalia outfits dancing. We remembered the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe and Indigenous Peoples who lived here before us. We discussed how "Every Child Matters". We wrote down why we matter and what makes us special. We discussed how everyone is different and we should be allowed to wear an orange shirt if we want. We are all different and special. Written by S Robitaille
We thought it was a good day when we were able to hold and see a grasshopper. A few minutes later after Susanne was inside, she came out with a small snake. The snake had managed to make it's way inside and was found by S.K. outside the office door. Susanne and S.K. coaxed it into a bug jar. The children were surprised to see the snake. They all had a turn holding the jar (if they wanted) and watched as it was released into some tall grass. Later Susanne found out it was a Queen Garter snake. We have continued to find several amazing creatures during the week. We have seen chipmunks and squirrels cross our path, a dead frog on the road and a variety of birds. The most interesting bird was the two woodpeckers. At the pond we watched and drew frogs and gold fish. At the daycare B&T followed and observed a wasp crawling through the grass. B picked a dandelion and brought it over to feed the wasp. So much learning about habitats and caring for the creatures all around us. Written by S Robitaille
W, B and Z were looking at the acorns the squirrels had cracked open. W added more acorns and B and Z gathered some more to add to the pile. We were listening to bird sounds on an app to help us identify the bird sounds we hear in the forest. The children were able to identify the woodpecker. Some of the bird calls sounded familiar, we may do more exploring on this! Back at the centre, W drew a bird, anatomically, adding the feet, tail, head, beak and a happy face. R A warm welcome back from the Kinders and a tour of the forest was the highlight of my first week back. The Kinders were so excited to share ALL the special places they found in the forest with me, it was like a tour of the forest. Our morning started along the trail to the lookout, where I they pointed out there was a grate underneath of where we were standing. Then off to "Rock Island", which Susanne noted was what they have named the lake lookout. The children went "fishing" (catching long, large amounts of swamp grass and seaweed). We discussed 'catch and release' and the importance of caring for the water by keeping the sticks on the ground and out of the water. Off to base camp to enjoy some tea, hot chocolate, breakfast and a few naps under the forest canopy. The children showed me their tree climbing skills and tool skills. On our way back to the centre for lunch, we had time to visit the car and the dead raccoon, or was he sleeping? The children had varying views on whether the raccoon was dead or sleeping. I was reminded that they wrote a book about it. A must read! I was enjoying the day so much, this was the only photo I captured on Thursday, the children noticed these berries on the trail to Rock Island. Thank you Kinders for a great tour, looking forward to next week. Roxane Hendrie RECE |
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AuthorSusanne and Roxane are Registered Early Childhood Educators, Forest School Practitioners and National Geographic Certified Educators. Archives
August 2021
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