My first Kinderwoods experience

On Nov. 20, I began as a long-term sub in kindergarten at Moses Y. Beach in Wallingford. On Nov. 21, we had a field trip to Kinderwoods. The children had already been once in October, so they knew what to expect. We all had a fantastic experience. We spent three hours in the woods and it almost wasn't enough time. The students return to the same part of the forest with each monthly visit, so they get to know it and will watch it change with the seasons.

The first thing they all wanted to do was play in the creek. They spent some time observing, then they wrote in their journals. They all began by sitting on a couple of logs, but before long they had scattered about as they settled in to draw. After lunch, they used tins to at first build 2D shapes out of twigs and mud, and before long they were making mud pies and exploring for the rest of our time in the woods.

It was wonderful to see these children play, create, and explore. They collected leaves and proudly showed me worms that had been hiding under a rock. I got to introduce them to moss and lichens, the stars of the November woods. They were muddy and wet, but I'm not sure if I've ever seen a happier group of kids.

I'll be with them for their December trip, which is coming up in a couple of weeks. It'll likely be a lot chillier, but I suspect that none of us will mind too much.

Kelly

Publicado el noviembre 22, 2017 12:14 TARDE por kellyfuerstenberg