We have been so grateful for the beautiful weather this week and have made so many new discoveries! As we enter the forest we can quickly hear all the different types of bird songs. We have heard and seen blue jays, cardinal, crows, grackles, sparrows, chickadees, Canada geese, red-winged blackbirds, mallard ducks, and yesterday some of us saw a heron!
We talked about the male being the one who is colourful to attract the female birds and why the females are brown as a way to camouflage themselves in their nest to protect their eggs and babies.
We spotted some daffodils that were transported into the forest, fungus growing on trees, tiny bees in the dandelions, and we also found many trees that were so rotten that when we stepped on them they crumbed into the soil. This gave rise to a mini discussion about the life cycle of trees.
In class, we have been reading, La chenille qui fait des trous (The Very Hungry Caterpiller), and have been discussing healthy and unhealthy foods, the life cycle of a butterfly, as well as the beginning, middle, and end of a story.
Yesterday, we saw a turtle sunning itself. Today there were two! The children and I talked about warm blooded animals and how we can sweat to keep our temperature steady when we are too hot, and how we get goose bumps when our body hair is puffing up to try and keep us warm when we get cold. Turtles are ectothermic meaning that they take on the temperature of their environment. So it they need to warm up, it is important that they stay in the sun. When they are too hot, they need to find water, mud, or a shady spot to cool down.
Thirteen deer crossed our path as we ventured deeper into the forest. They were not too scared of us, since they did not lift their tails up too much to warn the others of danger.
Today we challenged our bodies as we crawled or walked across branches and tree trunks to get to the other side of the stream. Thank you for sending in rubber boots to make water play that much more enjoyable!
We continue to meet people on our community walk and learn the importance of sharing the trail, being polite, and to ask permission to pet someone's dog.
Have a wonderful evening!
Mother's Day Celebration: Monday, May 15th 2pm! The children are excited to invite their mother or special female friend to the class for a small celebration. We hope to see you there!