My second visit to Kinderwoods and the third for my class was earlier this week on December 5. We had mild weather for December, although it rained a little bit off and on. We talked about getting wet before we headed to the woods, and of course, the children didn't mind at all. Their favorite places are the creek and mud puddle.

We didn't make as many new observations this visit, although we did find lots of earthworms. The children have been learning about them as part of the Kinderwoods Collaborative with their librarian. They loved finding them, holding them, and studying them for a little while in yogurt cups before putting them back in the leaf litter where they found them. We loved how iridescent green one of the earthworms was. Some of the children surprised themselves because they ACTUALLY TOUCHED A WORM!!

The children are also becoming wonderful observers. A small group brought me over to show me their special discovery--some small mushrooms tucked into a little nook among the tangle of roots of a tree that tipped over.

I love how different each class's experiences are. We return to the same site each visit. This is likely my last visit with this class. I am sad that I won't be going back with them. I'd love to watch them experience the woods after a snowfall and the special, deep quiet that accompanies it.

If another MYB teacher would like to take over as project curator and occasional journalist, please let me know. I'd love to keep following you to see what you observe.

Kelly

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