Tyke Hike #70 - Delafield (Cushing Memorial Park)

Fifteen hikers of all ages came out for the final Tyke Hike of 2019. We are only fourteen hikers away from 2,000 for the Tyke Hike program. That should be reached at the First Day Hike at Lapham Peak.

This energetic and spirited group cruised up and down a stretch of the Delafield Segment near Cushing Memorial Park. Stopping only to enjoy some natural play, the creativity of the children was on display as they created and played their own games as we hiked.

There was climbing and balancing, running, and crawling, and an occasional fall.

When the hike returned to the starting point, the energy release continued as many tykes tested out the amazing Fort Cushing, the playground of the park.

Another successful year of Tyke Hikes in the books. The third child and some unfortunate weather did limit the hikes in 2019, but we look forward to a bigger and better 2020. Hopefully, you'll join us as well!

Timberwolf Trail - Trail Camera Captures - November 2019 Edition

Happy Thanksgiving from the Timberwolf Trail. The animals who visited our trail camera wish you  a wonderful holiday break!

Timberwolf Trail - Week 13 - 2019-20 Edition

With it being only a two day week, on might expect it to be carefree and slow going. Not nature kindergarten. We put the pedal to the medal and enjoyed two fast-paced, play-filled days of creativity and fun.

Our first act of creativity was based on the picture book Perfect by Max Amato. Teamwork and collaboration at the forefront of our actions lately, this was a perfect fit and allowed the class to create pencil and eraser art in a much different way.

As we took a play break outside, we noticed a hawk hanging out in a tree near the back of the land. Naturally, we went to investigate. This beautiful bird was quite patient with us, letting us talk about birds of prey, observe the creature up close and personally, and predict what behaviors we were observing before flying off to another tree further away.

we enjoyed our jetpack creations so much last week, it was crucial to give the class more time, space, and opportunity to create again. The children were given free reign of supplies and ideas to create anything they wanted. We had more jetpacks, board games, cardboard cities, and so much more.

There will definitely be plenty more free play creation time in our future.

Back outside and back at nature play, we had a fantastic final afternoon together before break.

I LOVED LOVED LOVED LOVED LOVED catching a few of my students re-enacting and role-playing an outdoor phonics lesson from earlier in the year. Very funny and exciting to see!

It was also awesome to watch their creativity blossom as their mouse houses have now turned into all out communities with the addition of loose parts from a deconstructed insect hotel. Teamwork, problem-solving, and communication in action. Three pillars of a great nature-based foundation.

Ever wonder how to corral over twenty engaged, nature kindergarteners quickly???

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Timberwolf Trail - Week 12 - 2019-20 Edition

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we were very thankful for all the wonderful time we spent together this week across the curriculum.

In Math, we made obstacle courses and were thrilled to test all of them out.

Take a close look to see the trail cam we set up to capture the resident of a newly discovered burrow

In Science, we searched for animal habitats and added new details to the mouse house habitats we created a few weeks back.

In Phonics, we searched for letters in nature and then used our stick pencils and mud to make the ones we couldn't find.

IN Art, we continued with our nature pencils to make dirt drawings.

We also did some excellent work inside. As part of our Wisconsin Picture Book Pan Pal project, we wrapped up our study of the Wisconsin author Lisle Detlefsen by celebrating two of her stories: If You Had a Jetpack and Time for Cranberries.

Connecting our science study of how people can save the Earth through reusing and recycling with our reading, we saved recyclables to make our very own jetpacks.

We also enjoyed (sort of) some cranberry snacks. We tasted raw cranberries, craisins, and cranberry juice.

Back out in nature, we continued with some science by searching for evidence of animal life. We found holey leaves, burrows, food scraps, bug holes, and even a worm that has survived the last few weeks of freezing temperatures.

Camera shy

In a very short writing lesson, we practiced our Sit Spots, shared some ideas to make a class list of observations, and quickly illustrated how working and learning in our outdoor classroom made us feel.

One picture really captured my attention as it was the only sad face. I was relieved after I did some further investigation. The gentleman in question said his picture was sad for two reasons that day: it was very bright and he didn't have sunglasses and he knew we would be going back inside soon. 😀

In Social Studies, we played. It doesn't get much better than that.

Snake boards