Timberwolf Trail - Week 4 - 2018-19 Edition

Another week of nature kindergarten brought in the old and started the new.

One new beginning was the introduction of our nature notebooks. Here we write about  and illustrate some of our outdoor adventures

One old (but awesome) activity was the continuation of our butterfly garden service project. Slowly but surely we are bordering the garden. The sprinklers may have been a bit distracting at times.

Something that will never get old is natural play. After some work, we all need to play a little.

But soon, it was back to work!

Another new adventure was the introduction of the Sit Spot. Here, we use our Scientific Senses to see, hear, and feel nature.

Of course, some old visitors came to watch us.

Later, in the week we combined our new adventures. After using our Scientific Senses to see, feel, and gear nature, we took our nature notebooks and wrote about and illustrated what we noticed.

We also discussed wants and needs and applied them to the plants and trees in our outdoor classroom. We decided that while it was nice to read and chat about the needs of plants,we wanted to do something about it. So we sang about it.

"Sun, Soil, Space, Water, and Air. These are the 

things plants need everywhere!"

After belting out a few verses of our new tree song, we decided to help our plants get everything they needed. So outside we went!

We gave them WATER.

We figured that without SUN on a cloudy day, the trees might be hungry and that might make them sad, sick, or angry.

We found great SOIL, just what plants and trees need.

 Trees without SPACE made us sad. But we saw how SPACE helps trees become adults.

We also learned that trees give us the oxygen we need and we can give them the AIR they need, so we talked to them to help us both breathe.

We also visited some old friends. Our puffballs are looking mighty decomposed.

Next week, we zoom in a bit closer on apple trees. We'll also continue our service project, practice with our nature notebooks and Sit Spots, and enjoy whatever else Mother Nature throws our way.

WOLF Introduction

Though Mother Nature tried her best, there was no stopping the inaugural meeting of WOLF, or Woodside's Outdoor Learning Families. A wonderful group of interested families came to learn about our elementary school's family nature club initiative. After the information was shared, many families stuck around to tour the recently drenched Timberwolf Trail.

For those families unable to make it, please see below for an outline of the information shared. We look forward to a wonderful community of nature-loving family fun throughout the school year.

 What is a Family Nature Club?

A family nature club is exactly what is sounds like, families getting together to enjoy all nature has to offer.

Why start one?

Over the last few years, Woodside has been expanding the outdoor opportunities presented to our student and family community. From our community garden, the creation of the Timberwolf Trail, our nature kindergarten program, and our recent expansion to an all-school collaboration with the Retzer Nature Center, we are always finding ways to infuse nature into our educational models. We are now hoping to expand these opportunities for all of our families to increase outdoor learning and fun outside the regular school day.

Where will WOLF go?

Specific locations will be determined for each event. Some will be at Woodside's Timberwolf Trail or other natural areas within the district. Additional opportunities may take place in the community, including but not limited to the Retzer Nature Center, Ice Age Trail segments, and state and county arks.

What will WOLF do?

Simply put, WOLF will take our families outside to explore, discover, learn, and of course, have fun. This will be accomplished through events that occasionally offer more structured programming, options for more casual exploration, and some service and citizen science opportunities.

How do I join?

If you have a student at Woodside, you are already a member. Of course, we would certainly appreciate an RSVP for our scheduled events. Additionally, some events may have limited space.

How much will it cost?

The goal is to have no cost for as many opportunities as possible. At times, we may request suggested donations to help cover costs of associated supplies, programming, and/or goodwill donations to community partners.

What's the schedule?

Currently, the plan is to hold events on a monthly basis. Both weeknight and weekend options will be available. Initial ideas include natural play parties at the Timberwolf Trail, snowshoeing outings, hikes and snacks along the Ice Age Trail, a visit to the Retzer Nature Center and planetarium, and maybe even a field trip.


How do I stay updated? What if I have ideas?

Check the Woodside World for regular updates. Events and updates will also be posted on the Woodside Home & School Facebook page. Always feel free to contact the WOLF Coordinator, Mr. Dargatz, at dargpe@hamilton.k12.wi.us with ideas and questions.

Get outside! Try something new! BE A WOLF!

Timberwolf Trail - Week 3 - 2018-19 Edition - Continued

Despite much rain and even  more mosquitoes, nature kindergarten had another successful week. Besides the butterfly garden planting described on this week's first blog entry, we had plenty of time to explore outside.

Even our turkey friends are getting used to us being out there.

We started the wrap up process of learning tree parts by taking our nature backpacks out and drawing some observations of the four main tree parts by studying our beautiful oak tree classroom.

After checking in on our puffballs, we agreed that decomposition is still going strong.

Branching out is an important part of nature kindergarten, so the class had some play time where they could choose between two different locations: the natural play circles and the fallen tree forest.

Even our more traditional station choices had a tree twist.

Our tree parts finale was the creation of our own tree using materials from nature. The class decided to use rocks from the rock pile, larger sticks, and already fallen leaves to make and label our own tree on the forest floor underneath the oak tree classroom.

Once our tree was complete, we finally took some time to discuss and practice the play expectations of the rock pile. It was definitely an exciting place to discover.

And of course, we enjoyed the "running of the kindergarteners" down our hill. Not as dangerous as the running of the bulls, but just as exciting.

Here are a few samples of the over twenty species of plants planted in our young butterfly garden. Besides doing a little non-fiction research into these varieties, we will be moving towards adding a new element to the garden through a new service project next week. Looking forward to showing that progress next week and moving on to tree needs and our study of leaves.

Timberwolf Trail - Week 3 - 2018-19 Edition - Butterfly Garden Day

The makeover of the Timberwolf Trail is underway. One of the next steps of enhancing the trial and outdoor learning area is the addition of a butterfly garden. Working with Mr. Joe Meyer (coordinator of the Laudato Si Project ttp://www.laudatosiproject.com/), much time was spent planning and preparing for the events of this week. Much more planning and preparation ahead as we continue the project with a a partial prairie restoration.

Mr. Meyer visited the kindergarteners this week to talk about the importance of prairies, We learned about the absolute power immense prairie plant roots,

the butterflies that are crucial to prairies and will be frequent visitors to our garden,

and the animals that once roamed the prairies of Wisconsin.

Each class had a section of time available to do some prairie plat planting. We were lucky enough to release our newest friend as well.

Once outside, Mr. Meyer showed us some tips and tricks to getting our plants in the ground. Then, it was planting time!

We don't forget about the cleanup either.

The end result is a beautiful beginning to what is sure to be a bright and butterfly-filled future.

Over the next few weeks, nature kindergarteners will continue taking care of the growing garden by watering and bordering the garden with rocks. We will also be learning more specifics about the diverse plants that we planted.

Let the learning (and growing) thrive!