Although our time outside was brief, we had a wonderful afternoon filled with play and learning. The new snow provided a fresh canvas for our fun. We followed animal tracks and selected places to hang our popcorn birdfeeders. The children really enjoyed sliding down the big hill and taking turns on the vine swing. A group of students unearthed a long, white pipe buried in the snow. They worked together to carry the pipe to another spot in the forest. They wedged one end of the pipe between two tree branches, creating a tunnel that we could yell into to hear our echoes. They asked for a ball and took turns dropping the ball through the tunnel. Their curiosity, concentration, and collaboration were amazing!
Our interesting find of the afternoon was a “sapsicle” hanging from a broken tree branch. The children were fascinated by how the golden sap dripped slowly from the cut end of the branch and solidified into ice due to the cold temperature. Nous sommes des scientifiques !
Walking back up the schoolyard from the forest, we encountered gusty winds and large snow drifts. What a workout! After a few months of long forest walks and strenuous play and exercise, we are definitely noticing increases in the children’s stamina and physical fitness. Bravo, les amis!
Thank you for always sending your children to school in appropriate winter clothing! Being dressed for the weather makes our outside time safe and enjoyable for everyone.