July and August Provocations

MOTHER NATURE PROVOCATIONS

by Sara Rocio Raeesi-Gujani

Wow! Summer fever at the Forest Preschool has been and still continues to be in full swing!
The underbrush and the hot and dry weather have inspired us to travel along paths and trails and underneath the shadows of leaves and woods. It has also led us to discover new sites at Carp Ridge: the Rain Forest, the Yellow Diamond Trail, the Cabin in the Woods, the Rock Caves, the Fallen Tree Caves, and the White Arch. The children decided to give space and not to intrude in the Deer House, the Turkey Nest, and the Porcupine House. The children also decided to not go often and follow up with the construction of the Cabin in the Woods, because they have found no significant changes lately. What they have been curious about since early July is the Mystery of the Disappearance of the Water of the Creek. They wished for a magical force or power to bring the water back. This mystery, has led us to discover, inquire, and become resourceful in finding water, plants, and resources for survival while exploring in the wilderness. Indeed wilderness survival skills and awareness will continue to be core in our daily programming.

JULY PEDAGOGICAL THEME:

Water Habitats and Dessert Weather- Wilderness Survival Skills

The hot and dry July weather, plus the magical disappearance of the water in the creek has provoked the children to investigate the importance of the sun and water. They inquired about: What would happen if we don't have water? What would happen if the sun disappears? How can we survive without sun or water? Can you imagine the dessert weather and sand storms? How is it possible to live in the dessert? Is it possible to find water in there?
The children interest for Water and the Life in it has been a daily endeavour. We searched for water everywhere! We dug in the creek and found a precious treasure: sand! The investigation further led us to question: How deep must we need to dig to find water? How are the wells made? What tools do we need to dig and create wells? The children ideas created a story about how the water was created long ago. We went for a pond and stream safari and found a water spider, diving beetles, and various water bugs. In our wet lands detective games we did not find any frogs or ducks.
Other activities included: reading stories and books about dessert habitat, marine life and sea shore life [we learned that sea shells are shelters too]. We played the following games: Guess who I am? (a turtle, a crab, a shark, a starfish or a whale); the Wild Little People of the Wet Forest; Hide and Seek; Who are You; What is Special about You? We practiced “no sound” walks and “no sound” rests. Our tracking skills, led us to find turkey, porcupine, and deer scat. We built dessert shelters, found treasures inside apples and golden rod seeds, and explored various types of fungi. We created nature frames, adorned talking sticks, made tickle sticks, crowns, bracelets, and rainbows. We built structures with large sticks and in it we wove dry leaves, flowers, excavated natural streams, and camouflaged animal's traps around it.
July was absolutely dry and we could not make our mini-ponds. Thanks to Mother Nature, at least we found morning dew! We recreated the formation of lakes, rivers, and creeks. We practiced how to collect water from plants. We made a transpiration bag and a vegetable bag. The children found it magical! We will study and explore the world of plants in August.

AUGUST PEDAGOGICAL THEME:

Plant Explorations and the World of Botany-Wilderness Survival Skills

Trees, plants, flowers, fruits, leaves, seeds, twigs, bark, and grasses became a source of inspiration to inquire, investigate, identify and create. The children's plant source collection became a source of offerings for giving thanks any time we needed to take something from the forest floor or directly from the tree or plant. The children practiced to first stop, pause, and quietly ask permission of the tree or plant, then to present an offering (something from their collections). Then they waited to finally and gently take the part of the plant they wished to examine; promising they would give it back to Nature. As a result, the children soon realized how important it is to both ask permission to use others’ belongings but to also ask Mother Earth’s permission before borrowing her gifts. This practice has encouraged the children to develop a deeper awareness and connection with Nature.
Aside from giving thanks and honouring Mother Nature’s gifts, the children enjoyed exploring texture, dimension, colour, size, and fragrance of plants and trees. Other activities included tree, grass, leave, seed, twig, edible, and poison plants identification such poison ivy and doll’s eyes. The children initiated treasure hunts, a forest safari, and wild hikes. The Spider Ropes became a pirate's ship and we sailed across the forest in the quest for a golden treasure. The high winds and waves forced us to stop for a rainbow ice-cream, explosions of love, and a water break. We built tropical and jungle A-Frame shelters, made fern hats, created natural stamps using flower and leaf dyes, tasted red clover, and explored the plants and life in the pond. The world of botany and plant explorations will continue to inform our daily program. For specific details on this theme, which continues until September 3rd, please check the bulletin board.

Lately the children have been inspired and curious about the concept of the Four Elements of the Earth: Water, Soil, Air, and Fire. It has been a part of our daily routine to go round on walks around the Earth Circle located near the Vegetable Garden and to stop for a bit of water play and make floating letters. In September we will attempt to deconstruct the meaning of the Earth's Four Elements.

Mother Nature Provocations

By Sara Rocio Raeesi-Gujani

SPRING PEDAGOGICAL THEMES

Wow! Where the time has gone? How much have we done since the last blog entry?
We have certainly been busy laughing, singing, playing, exploring, walking and talking in the woods, investigating and discussing weather changes, and questioning why we have summer in spring. We definitely have been enjoying the hot weather and are well prepared for it with hats, sun block, bug-spray, net jackets, and mosquitoes-nets.
We are definitely ready for an insect safari!

June’s Pedagogical theme: ALL ABOUT INSECTS

The children have started to investigate bugs and mosquitoes. They have been very interested in looking at them through the magnifying glass, counting how many legs they have, and inquiring about how fast or slowly they move and why? What kind of food they eat? Where do they live? And how do they grow? We will attempt to answer these questions in our June explorations.
We will investigate the fabulous life and world of insects. We will study early insects and fossils, insects babies (all shapes and sizes), the grasshopper family, the dragonflies, the walking sticks, the flies, the beetles, the true bugs, the “social insects” (ants, bees and wasps, and the termites), moths and butterflies, and many others. We will expand the concept of metamorphosis, and will discuss the relationship among insects and plants and insects and humans. We will be using Mother Nature’s gifts such leaves, sticks, and rocks to recreate dragonflies, butterflies, and ladybugs. We will be catching some insects and will recreate insect scavenger hunts, and insect parades. We will “boogie-woogie” with bugs and puzzles, arts, crafts, reading aloud, rhyming, and will have some riddle fun.
Please join the children and me for a successful insect safari! Parents are welcome to share talents, resources, and ideas. Please discuss and expand the fabulous life of insects with the children. Good luck!

May’s Pedagogical theme: THE ENCHANTED FOREST

Wow! Everything is growing and changing. Spring has sprung and May is in full bloom!
The children have been inquiring about Mother Nature’s transformations. Why do the apple trees have flowers instead of apples? How it is possible that some flowers will become fruits? How do caterpillars become butterflies? Where are the forest baby animals? Why do the baby frogs have tails? Are moths butterflies? This month we will investigate the Forest Preschool magical transformations.
We will explore the following changes: from babyhood to adulthood, from seed to plant, from flower to fruit, from caterpillar to butterfly, and from tadpole to frog. We are deconstructing the meaning of growing, changing, and transformation with games such a new version of “camouflage!!”, “hide and seek”, “I was a ... and now I am...”, and “mother nature calls” where all of us will transform magically into a tree, the fire, the wind, a red squirrel, a flower, rocket ships, fire engines, ferries, and even cocoons, and magic frogs.
The children will be introduced to the concept of metamorphosis. We will investigate and act out how caterpillars build their cocoons and become butterflies and how tadpoles lose their tails. We will search for butterflies and their habitats and attempt to observe tadpoles and to catch some frogs. There will be plenty of activities such art, creative movement, finger games, reading aloud, flower identification, and much more magic and wonder in the enchanted forest.
Please join me and the children for a wonderful spring bloom to honour Mother Nature’s gifts. Parents are welcome to share talents, resources, and ideas. I am inviting you to discuss and expand these themes at home with your offspring. Happy spring!! I will see you soon in the woods.

April’s Pedagogical theme: SPRING IS IN THE AIR

Wow! Where the time has gone? To share with you: Scientists have confirmed that 2010 had only eleven months, three hundred and thirty five days, less minutes and seconds so our calendar will jump from March to June. Great!! Oh! Well, the end of the Mayan calendar is approaching and I guess we are time-less! Hurrah! Are you ready for the big bang? Yes, I am listening for it, too. I hope you had a happy April fool’s day!!!
The forest was full of jokes, wonder, and laughter on April the first. We joked about anything possible you can imagine. While taking a joke break, seriously, we were reviewing the days of the week, the months of the year and talking about the weather and seasons.
The children were chanting: “There are four seasons a year! There are four seasons a year; Winter, Summer, Fall, and Winter”.
I did ask: “What about spring? Where is spring?”
ET said, “In the air!”
All chanted: “Spring is in the air! Spring is in the air!!” [All of us burst out in laughter again]
Seriously, the children concluded Spring is only in the air because it is very cold, the snow has melted, nothing has grown yet, the birds are singing, the woodpecker is building, and geese are migrating, making a V in the air.
March explorations evolved from spring weather provocations. By looking high up in the sky we discovered various types of clouds: fluffy (cumulus) can be found in any part of the atmosphere, dark (cumulonimbus) will bring thunderstorms, blankets (stratus) are flat and really look like blankets, and wispy (cirrus) are thin and very high.
We explored and searched habitats underneath logs, fallen trees, rocks, and underground. We found a variety of insects, spiders, and scaly creatures with more legs that we can count, and celebrated Earth Day with the game: Can you spy garbage in the forest?
April was full of fun activities: bird sounds and wood pecker mapping, building nests, floating boats and fixing the old rocket ship by the creek, spring bug safari, chalk and coal art, rock climbing, and wild flower and tree identification. We tasted maple sap, practiced our fire building and stick carving skills, we sang, laughed, told stories, shared what the Easter bunny brought to us, roasted apples, pears, and marshmallows, and snuggled together as the fire warmed us from the cold April weather. We planted seeds and the children were introduced to the concept of photosynthesis and the elements necessary for plant grow: seeds, soil, water, and sun. Happy planting and growing!

Spring has Sprung!

Here we are in May already! We have been so busy enjoying transformations at the Forest Preschool.

We remind Parents and Community that we have two spots for Fridays until September. Please confirm which days you will be keeping as there are many families waiting for a place for their child.

In April, the children rediscovered variety on the ground as the snow blanket receded. Fungi and water were our favorite subjects for exploration. We got wet every day - sometimes twice!

In May we are identifying many new plants and flowers - like our old friend, poison ivy as well as blood root and wild betony to name a few. The bugs are back and we are studying them to better understand their life cycle. The children are so strong and hike with such confidence in the woods. It is a joy to wander with them.

Sara is busy with parent "Walk and Talks" as she introduces parents to the wonders of the Forest that their children have walked and talked about. It is a great opportunity for parents to discover exactly where the adventures occur.

Please contact me directly should there be any questions. Happy Spring!

Cheers,
Marie

WINTER IS MELTING AWAY

MOTHER NATURE PROVOCATIONS
By Sara Rocio Raeesi-Gujani


Winter has been a most enjoyable season in the woods! We explored the meaning of hibernation, recreated a Winterlude, and added dimension, colour and texture to the snow and ice.
Last Wednesday was the most beautiful day of the year. It was a truly Winter Paradise at the Forest Preschool. Suddenly everything was suspended and embraced in absolute silence and the forest was totally covered in white. The children have fantasized and wondered if all winter days were like Wednesday. Will they ever come back inside again? Will they live underneath the trees? They love to travel day and night in the forest lands and hills in search for treasures made out of snow and ice.
Our Winter Wonderland was quite inspirational on Thursday early morning:
LC: Let’s made a polar bear!
CL: And let’s made a penguin
SR: Where do they live?
GF: Polar bears live in the North Pole
AV: Penguins live in the South Pole
SR: What about if we use the compass to find out where the North and South are!
GF: [Holds the compass and points where the letter N is] Here is North!
LC/CL/EL: [All hold the compass while pointing where the letter S is]
CL: South is there!
Once we found the North and South Poles and began to make the polar bear and penguin, the children decided to bring snow from other lands to complete the project. We went to Greenland, England, Spain, and France. We also sailed and crossed the ocean to finally land in Greece for a quick soccer match. The forest became the world and as we travelled up the hills, down the hills, between the woods, and boarded trains and jets, and sailed across the ocean, we not only mapped a forest section but also brought with us beautiful souvenirs made of snow to complete our assignment.
Interestingly enough on Friday, the sky was grey, the air felt a bit warmer, the snow was very soft to walk on, and we found lots of small tree branches on the floor and mini-puddles everywhere; the polar bear and penguin have disappeared. It happens every year! The snow is melting!
March Pedagogical theme:
WINTER IS MELTING AWAY!
We will investigate the how, the why, and the effects of snow and ice melting. We will explore some factors that control the melting process: air temperature, the sun, the wind, and the rain. We will introduce the concept of global warming. We also will attempt to answer the following questions: a) Can we melt snow on fire? b) Where does the white go when the snow melts? c) Why does snow melt around the base of the tree trunks? Finally we will be searching for snow moulds on the ground.
Overall we will explore the meaning of melting! And while winter is melting away! Let’s think about what else can be melted? What about chocolate! Cheese! What changes can be observed? Have fun! And tell, show and share!

Food for the Forest Preschool

Here is our meal plan so you will know what yummy things we are eating each day. The menu will be flexible with the seasons and may rotate for variety. Right now we are enjoying lots of soups and pastas. Snacks may be flipped for each day and soup, stew, pancake, muffin, cookie and "brownie" recipes may be posted at a later date. We will not be serving meat and on Mondays we do not serve dried fruit (including raisins), nuts, peanuts and seeds. Rice milk, rice crackers and rice cakes are provided daily.
WEEK ONE
MONDAY
Snack #1: Rice cakes and Apple slices
Lunch: Spiral rice pasta with pureed lentil sauce (veggies and beans), muffins or cookies
Snack #2: Veggies or fruit & dip
TUESDAY
Snack #1: Veggies & dip or no-nut butter and rice cakes or crackers
Lunch: Homemade soup or stew, corn bread/muffins, fruit
Snack#2: Muffins or cookies with spread, fruit
WEDNESDAY
Snack #1: Pita/hummus or black bean dip & fruit
Lunch: Buckwheat Pancakes or egg dish with soygurt/syrup, fruit
Snack#2:Veggies & dip or no-nut butter on rice cakes
THURSDAY
Snack #1: Fruit, muffins or cookies
Lunch: Hot pasta or soup, roasted veggies, cookies
Snack#2: Muffins (Baker's choice)
FRIDAY
Snack #1: Muffins, cookies, brownies and fruit
Lunch: Cook's Choice of soup or stew, veggies and cookies
Snack#2: Rice cakes or crackers, veggies and dip
WEEK TWO
MONDAY
Snack #1: Fruit and muffins or brownies or cookies
Lunch:Tuscan Bean and Vegetable soup with brown rice noodles, fruit
Snack #2:Veggies and crackers with mashed avocado
TUESDAY
Snack #1:Apple slices and mini muffins
Lunch:Oven fries, grilled vegetables, tofu sticks or bean cakes, fruit
Snack #2:Hummus with rice cakes and veggies
WEDNESDAY
Snack #1:Rice cakes with no-nut butter, fruit
Lunch:Steamed vegetables (carrots, zucchini, broccoli, kale) bean cakes or spaghetti
Snack #2:Muffins or cookies
THURSDAY
Snack #1:Veggies and dip, rice cakes
Lunch:Soup or casserole, veggies and dip, fruit crisp
Snack #2:fruit with hummus and dip or no-nut butter
FRIDAY
Snack #1:Muffins or cookies, fruit
Lunch:Red lentil and carrot soup with basmati rice or noodles, veggies and hummus
Snack #2:Fruit with no-nut butter

Eco Healthy Child Care

The Carp Ridge Forest Preschool is pleased to announce that we have been endorsed by the Oregon Environmental Council as an Eco Healthy Child Care program. We qualified due to our focus and commitment to green, healthy, safe and sustainable programming. You are invited to check out the criteria for qualification at www.oeconline.org/ehcc
Thank you to everyone who helps us maintain our commitment to a sustainable future through our programs.

Winter Themes

WINTER PEDAGOGICAL THEMES
By Sara Rocio Raeesi-Guajni
Wow! New Year, new decade, and new beginnings!
Early in January as the children were eager to share their holiday season experiences, they also were extremely curious about how the forest has changed and who lives underneath the snow. While walking up to the porcupines’ house and singing our weather song [... tell me the weather: it is raining, snowing or it is hot?]
ET: Is it hibernating!!!
At that moment we decided to pause and to question:
S: What is hibernation? What about the trees? Do they hibernate?
G: Trees do not hibernate. They stand up very, very tall and the snow falls on them and that is why they do not need to hibernate.
LC: Yes, trees hibernate because the bark protects them.
C: No, trees do not hibernate because they are trees.
EL: Yes, trees hibernate, they grow tall till they become a cave and in the cave they look for monsters.
January’s pedagogical theme:
EXPLORING THE MEANING OF HIBERNATION.
We are deconstructing this concept with games such Hi? Bernate!!!, Camouflage!!, sensory explorations, nature treasure hunts, following animal tracks, building caves, dens, and burrows and by answering questions such who hibernates? How animals hibernate? How animals in the forest prepare for hibernation? Most importantly, we explore by having fun and enjoying the beauty of the snow with all our senses and, of course snuggling underneath trees and behind snow banks by the creek with meditation, telling stories and reading books.Lately the children are inquiring about:
1) It is possible to hibernate in space? Can people hibernate?
2) How it is possible to live in ice?
3) Who lives in the Arctic? Where do the penguins live? Does the sun shines in the Arctic?
4) How do the baby polar bears live in the cold arctic weather? What happens if the snow melts, can they walk?
5) What about if we add colour to the snow caves and ice houses we have created?
February’s pedagogical theme:
CELEBRATING LIFE IN ICE.
We will continue to explore the meaning of hibernation. We will add the concept of Winterlude, will investigate the life near the Arctic and Antarctic, and the children will be introduced to astronomy concepts such name of stars and how the stars are formed into constellations.We will recreate a Winterlude celebration throughout the forest, we will simulate the Aurora Borealis, and we will create a mini planetarium in the Igloo. These provocations will provide plenty for sensory explorations, games, artistic expression, reading, storytelling, building, creating and recreating, meditating and contemplating. What a great way to explore the forest in winter and to wrap up the most beautiful months of the year.Please join me and the children for a great winter celebration. Parents are welcome to share talents, resources, ideas, and by discussing and expanding these themes at home with your child.