Hello Arroyo Nature School families,
Can you believe it is already February? We are so lucky that we are an outdoor school that truly gets to see and experience the seasonal changes around us. The children have been bundled up well and really looking forward to exploring the park. We have felt the cold of the mornings and observed the new plant growth throughout our locations.
Even in rain boots, the children have been working on their climbing abilities. They have been strengthening their coordination and balance when moving from branch to branch.
The children have also become more confident in their large motor skills ( running, pulling, climbing, hopping). We are sure you have seen how quick they can move!
During one of our walks, we had a chance to see a fallen Eucalyptus tree. The children had many questions as to why this happened. This massive tree was on a small slope that had been hit by the heavy rains. This opened up a conversation about the anatomy of the tree. We talked about the roots, trunk and branches. We talked about size and how heavy rain can affect its stability. Eucalyptus trees don't have a very strong root structure, so when extreme weather hits, they can be the first to fall.
We have been learning about the importance of worms and how they benefit plant growth. The children have also been practicing how to carefully hold these gentle little squirmers.
On our field trip days, we usually have a couple large blankets or a big tarp (when too wet) to picnic on. We talk about the food we are eating and try to find others with the same fruit or crackers. These conversations are so wonderful to hear amongst the group. They are connecting and beginning to show much interest in their classmates. Thoughts and questions are being said often during our snack and lunch times.
"What's that you are eating?"
"Do you have an apple too? What color?"
"My daddy bought these oranges at the Farmers market. We go after nap"
Sometimes we lay down and look up at the clouds. Some days we talk about the large gray clouds that come before the rain. They have become familiar with the rain clouds and can spot them right before we would get a rainy afternoon.
The clouds can be quick and massive, blocking the sunlight off and on. We notice it immediately and look around to see why it got darker.
We talk about how the wind can move the clouds.
There are days when there are no clouds to be seen and some will ask where did they go?
Why do they move?
What a natural way to incorporate earth science into their learning!
We checked out these beautiful Dudleya succulents growing from the hard cliffside. These plants can grow from the hard rock and sandy soils. They are hearty plants that need minimal care. The rain has made them very happy and they're spreading all over!
The children love exploring the bridges. You can hear your voice echo pretty well under there. You can also hear the cars above moving quickly. We talk about how this structure was built by people. They worked together to plan, get their materials, use heavy duty equipment and build it up.
There is a bridge above us and below us in this area.
Some fresh dirt was brought in from the rain onto this second bridge. The children used the wall as a stove to cook up their pancakes.
A couple children started building their own structures with sticks in the soft sand. This structure has "crystals" all gathered at the bottom. The home sits next to a big mountain on the left.
A group of children helped to gather the branches that we found in a pile by the Oak tree. They wanted to cover it with fabric, so the teachers helped to stabilize the branches into one point. After it was secure and safe to crawl into, the children started working on the walls.
In the little treehouse, a few children work on creating their clothing shop. They imagine the fabrics as beautiful, fancy clothing and you have to order at the counter to receive one.
Sometimes the fabric becomes their own personal clothing collection and they hang them up in their closets.
Now that the rain has stopped, we can start bringing the art materials out again! We worked on large primary color paintings recently. The children were so excited to mix their own secondary colors and see the magic that happens when mixing colors with their brush.
The instruments are back and the children love to sing-along to our music books! We have been practicing how to care for the instruments and how they should be used. They have had a great time working on playing loud and soft. Sometimes we don't sing any lyrics and just focus on the movement of our bodies while playing. Now that we are at the Treehouse location, we can be free to play a little louder and not disturb the horses.
We have some more of Jane's written observations and conversations between the children.
F.J. and Z.K. dig in the mud.
Z.K: What are you making F.J?
F.J: I'm making soup and chocolate.
Z.K: Chocolate soup?
F.J: Uh, no. Chocolate AND soup.
Z.K: oh.
F.J: You can have some.
Z.K. (pretending to eat): It's good!
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O.N: I need water.
(mixes dirt with water
I made a fire truck soup.
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A.W: I have ice packs at home for my brother and my parents. And for me.
Jane: I have a lot of ice packs at home. And I have one in my lunchbox.
A.W (with a smile): Your lunchbox is always hurt?
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D.M. climbs out of a tree with a stick in his hand.
D.M: I was sleeping in my bed and I was snuggling with this.
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F.F. sits in a hole that Jose, L.R.,S.R. and R.R dug.
F.F: I'm almost disappeared!
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R.R. stands over the hole.
R.R: I'm Santa, ho ho ho.
R.R. jumps in then climbs out and walks over to a pile of dirt. He grabs some dirt then returns to the hole.
R.R: I got all the presents.
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L.R. and F.F. pretend to be S.N's horses.
S.N: You have to stay here. It's raining outside.
L.R: But I have my raincoat on. I have my raincoat on.
F.F: I have my raincoat on.
S.N: But you need a real raincoat.
L.R: But look- the sun is out!
S.N: Oh, it stopped raining! We can go, but when it rains you have to stay home.
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Z.O. Rules for School
1) You are not allowed to put holes in the cheerios.
2) Stay outside. You can only go inside if you want to get some food.
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Jose digs a hole while S.R. and R.R. remove the loosened dirt.
S.R: I'm a big excavator.
R.R: I'm a big excavator.
S.R. leaves and returns with a cup filled with dirt.
S.R: Hey, R.R. here's your birthday.
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L.R. hangs fabric on a tree branch.
V.C: It looks like L.R.'s planning a surprise.
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A.A. and L.F. play in the mud kitchen.
A.A: L.F, I have an idea. You put the dirt in and I'll mix it. I just need to mix it until it turns into mud.
L.F: I'm just going to put pepperoni leaves in it. Okay. That's okay.
They mix the dirt and water in a small bowl.
A.A: Leo, are you wearing your pajamas?
L.F: No, I'm just wearing pants and a jacket.
A.A: And what's that? (points to L.F's shirt)
L.F: That's an outer space shirt.
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J.M. looks through his journal.
J.M: Markers. I like it. Maybe black. Where is it? I don't know.
(finds black oil pastel)
Black.
(draws with the black oil pastel)
Jane will continue to collect conversations of all of the children and include them as we go along, so keep an eye out!
We also wanted to thank you all for your flexibility when it comes to trying out different locations for the children to learn. With the changes that come throughout the year outdoors, we have to be ready to plan accordingly with what works for the safety and interests of the children.
Lastly, Fabienne's recovery is going smoothly. We are hoping she can be back by the end of this month. We all miss her very much. Let's keep sending those positive thoughts and hope for a speedy recovery<3
Thank you for reading!
Arroyo Nature School
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