Forest Classroom

September Sun!

Week 2; September 9th 2024

This week we had a 30-degree temperature change! Last we were bundled up, some even wearing hats, but today it was shorts, tee-shirt, and cool water! Upon arrival we all got to meet Truman who will be sometimes with us during the year. We also engaged in an alphabet scavenger hunt! The goal was to find something out in nature (that is naturally occurring in nature) that starts with every letter of the alphabet. For A we had acorns, B was Bark, C was cone, etc.

student at picnic table
working on our alphabet scavenger hunt Photo: Emily Kaplita

During snack one student brough a wonderful bird song book and we got quizzed on some of the songs, but also learned new ones, and made guesses about what the bird song might be too. We also enjoyed some rounds of park ranger in the field.

In the morning before it got to hot, we investigated Beaver Pond. We got crayfish, newts, tadpoles, minnows, and even a green frog! Some friends worked on understanding the workings of a dam. Concepts of stopping water and how to do that action were there, but we are still trying to learn ultimately what needs to be done since the water is continually flowing and overflowing our damns.

Students at beaver Pond
Catching critters at Beaver Pond Photo: Emily Kaplita
student with a net
Photo: Emily Kaplita
students building a dam
Building 1 of many dams Photo: Emily Kaplita

In the afternoon we cooled off in the shade of the Sherman Hollow brook where some of us caught water striders, another green frog and a dusky salamander! We also played with some yogurt cups and sent them sailing down the brook. A couple of friends also enjoyed smashing rocks and making rock paint too!

green frog
Green Frog Photo: Emily Kaplita
Student exploring brook
Exploring the Sherman Hollow Brook Photo: Emily Kaplita
students with rocks
Photo: Emily Kaplita

Before we knew it we were ending our day journaling and sharing our favorite part of the day. What a wonderful September day!

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