Timberwolf Trail - Week 17 - 2016-17 Edition - Retzer Nature Visit #3 - Tracking

Our snowshoeing field trip to track animals at the Retzer Nature Center was wonderful. . . .even without any snow. The Retzer staff and volunteers made it work despite Mother Nature's plan of bringing spring-like weather to this winter-themed excursion.

We spend much of the morning inside engaging in a variety of activities. We listened to the story Over and Under the Snow, by Kate Messner,

investigated some "sleeping" plant parts,

viewed a presentation on different types of winter travelers (Walker 1's, Walker 2's, Bounders, Gallopers),

 practiced each of those traveling techniques,

heard about and tried on various traditional-style snowshoes, including Ojibway, Bear Paw,and Alaskan Trail,

 and worked on a tracking stamp poster.

Then, we headed outside for some well-deserved natural play.

Timberwolf Trail - Week 16 - 2016-17

It was amazing to get back to nature kindergarten, The cold streak and subsequent rain put a damper on our outdoor time, but it was back to normal today. It was also interesting this week. My student teacher took over, making me more of an observer. I am astounded at what I observed. Seeing the class use nature as their teacher today and be engaged and excited about everything that was planned was an awesome sight to see and experience,

We kicked off the morning with our Math Stick Champion counting game where a new stick champion was crowned.

Then, the kids took off in small groups to complete a winter scavenger hunt. They worked well together in all areas of the land and completed their list. In fact they went above and beyond.  From, scat to animal dens, animal stashes to nests, and even a bone, they searched and found many wonderful items of nature.

We did it!

After the scavenger hunt was successfully completed, we headed back in. With an icy and tricky trail, the students found innovative ways to avoid falling.

"Hard to fall if you crawl"

Can you see the word "Fly?

Waddle

This week, the students are researching animals associated with colder weather. After specifically learning about penguins, the class was taken outside to waddle their way into protecting precious penguin eggs disguised as recess balls.

While kids waited their turn to waddle and decided to dig up the snow in search of nuts, grass, and anything else that could be found.

Winter is a  season for new experiences and learning opportunities. Cold, yes. Trickier, at times. Worth the work, definitely!

Timberwolf Trail - Trail Camera Captures- December 2016 Edition

Enjoy some of the December trail camera captures from the Timberwolf Trail. With two new visitors this month, our species total is approximately 12.

Sneaky fox

Chickadee in front, Cardinal in back

Hello Deer!

Running Deer

Stationary Deer :)

Rodent

Squirrel

Triple Deer

Weasel?

Timberwolf Trail - Week 15 - 2016-17

Below zero days don't suspend nature kindergarten. They just alter it. Connecting back to our study of wants and needs, we wanted to something special for our winter animal friends so we made a round of seed feeders to give them some easy snacks.

Finding the perfect spot for our seed feeders was a bit tricky, but we all ended up finding a spot that fit our wants. Hopefully, the animals did too!

The temperatures shortened our time outside, but since we got all bundled up, we might as well play for a while.

Once we got back inside, we decided to take a closer look at one of classroom corner nature center's resources: field guides.  Having some experience with non-fiction texts, we looked at a variety of field guides to peruse what they had to offer. From wildflowers to songbirds, trees to caterpillars, and butterflies to birds of prey, we took a closer look at this resource as we will dig deeper into them when we do some non-fiction nature research later this year.

Tyke Hike #34 - First Day Hike 2017 - Lapham Peak

Tyke Hikes got off to a wonderful start as the Waukesha/Milwaukee County Chapter of the Ice Age Trail Alliance hosted a First Day Hike at Lapham Peak State Park.  An estimated 150 hikers enjoyed a variety of different options throughout the park. The Tyke Hike was graced by approximately 44 people and 4 four-legged friends. This brought the total number of Tyke Hikers since we started 33 hikes ago in June of 2014 over 1,000! Here's to another 1,000.

With the melt and thaw cycle in full motion lately, we stuck to the paved trail for the safety of the tykes.  We still had plenty of time to go off trail and play as well.

Natural play

Natural play will be a feature of the Tyke Hike program this year. In my opinion, it's a lot easier to fall in love with and appreciate nature by immersing yourself in it.

A tree a day keeps the doctor away

Risk is a necessary ingredient in natural play. It is important to allow children to assess their own risk and make decisions along the way. Of course, knowing the difference between a risk and a hazard is crucial.  Also, avoiding "yellow snow" and "chocolate jellybeans" on a winter walk are always helpful.

Deer love to hike too

Snowball target practice

Near 40 degree temperatures made for a super stroll through one of the area's spectacular parks. After the hike, it was time to head inside the nature center for snacks and information., Of course, my little tyke had to go experience some of the resources the center had to offer.

Just right. . .

Birdies and buggies

"I climbed this tower. I love the tower!

 The excitement and exercise of the day made for one tired tyke. Let a new year of nature begin!