Habitat Hunt
“This place is fancy,” shouted a little girl as we rounded the corner into the outdoor classroom on her very first visit. While, Loudon Elementary is extremely fortunate to have an amazing outdoor space complete with tables and benches, the forest is a “fancy” place. We only get to spend a brief period of time in the forest each week, but that brief time is full of such great learning, playing, and practice. On our way out to the forest, we must follow directions, stopping at designated spots to make sure the group is all together and safe. During our journey to the outdoor classroom we visit about the weather, noticing differences in the temperature or more recently the humidity. We notice slight changes from the week before. This week we noticed a few red leaves starting to fall to the ground. There had been very few red leaves available for our eco art last week. While walking to the classroom, kids visit with each other, and visit with me. They share nature note stories from home. Kids chatting with each other develops relationships and connections but also gives children an opportunity to practice with new language. Science words like habitat, larvae, and metamorphosis frequently find their way into our conversations. Is that an amphibian or a reptile? A body of science knowledge is growing very organically in a very low risk environment.
The older children spent some time this week assessing the habitat around the outdoor classroom . What elements are present around the classroom that would make it ideal for an animal? Would a Cedar Waxwing like to live here? Does the classroom have the habitat elements of food, water, shelter, and a place for the animal to raise its young? Would the outdoor classroom be a preferable home for a monarch butterfly? Why or why not? While being habitat detectives the children slowed down and started making more observations. . . “What has been eating this stick?” “There aren’t many mushrooms out here. There aren’t any red mushrooms.” My response is always - “I wonder why?” “I wonder what was eating that stick?”
Before, we know it, our time is up and the children are asking for more and resistant to leave. Life is busy, but if you can take a few minutes this weekend to go for a walk in the woods with your child, you might just find it is the best thing you do all weekend!
I am not super familiar with local trails in the Loudon area, you may already know of some great ones (You might share your favorite nature walks on the school’s FB page), but Ms. Staples recently shared with me that she really enjoys the Pond Trail that is part of the Broken Ground Trail System. You can find out more information here. You will be surprised how much your kids will love to get outside with you.
“If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in.” -Rachael Carson, Biologist and Writer
Have a wonderful week and weekend ahead.