MOTHER NATURE'S AUTUMN PROVOCATIONS

By Sara Rocio Raeesi-Gujani

Wow! In light of the disappearance of the colour from the woods, the children are asking: How hot is below zero? And where the colour of the leaves has gone?
“They become treasures!” answered the Lion.
The last Friday of October the Forest Preschoolers very creatively dressed up and started their daily voyage into the woods. They were the Wizard, the Lion, the Lady with the Cat in the Hat, and all the Wild Little People from the woods. They only wished for the magical transformation of the colour of the leaves into sweet treasures!
“Let's go for a sweet treasure hunt!” suggested the Wizard. All went off with a map in their hand and with the desire to explore and conquer candy land. After climbing trees, crossing ponds, creeks, going through the milkweed fields and entering caves and shelters, they emerged from the big great forest with pinecones, acorns, all sort of sticks, rocks, dry grasses, leaves, and pockets empty of sweets.
They were very persistent! As successful and brave explorers always do: They very decisively changed their route. This time, with map and compass in hand, they headed north, crossed a small path and entered a glass garden, from there; they spotted a rabbit and a wooden house with a big green door and a golden knob. They opened, entered and closed the door very quietly. “Which way should we go; around the corner or down the stairs?” they asked softly. The Lady with the Cat in the Hat took charge.
“Let's go down the stairs!” she said. Once down there, they turned right and entered a wavy tunnel. There, they saw no one but only white doors and empty entrances. As they quietly but happily moved on, they saw a big great room at the end. They couldn't go around it. They couldn't go under it. They couldn't go over it. There was no way they could climb it either!
“What we should do?” the Wizard softly whispered.
“We must go through!” commanded the Lady with the Cat in the Hat. In the blink of the eye all Forest Preschoolers found themselves in front of three great people. And immediately, took possession of their attention!
“Surprise! Trick or treat!” they happily exclaimed. Despite their efforts and their strategy, there were no sweets to be found yet. With great disappointment, they were each given small pieces of precious mineral [mica]. In their quest for sweet treasure, they set off Good Will Hunting to the next door. There they found, not sweets at all, but instead, very kindly and softly, they were offered two animal cookies each!

NOVEMBER'S INVESTIGATIONS
Peter and the Wolf- November Celebrations- Children's National Day

November is already full of wonder and excitement!
This month there are various themes to explore and investigate. It is also a month of celebration and reflection. November investigations will include the study of themes from the musical tale: Peter and the Wolf by the Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev. The story will be told using various mediums: reading aloud, storytelling, and character representation. Various topics of interest will be discussed: friendship, cooperation, team work, and animal rights. We will investigate the life of the wolf. Through games we will recreate how wolves survive and how they communicate. We will deconstruct the meaning of hunting, predator and prey. The concept of food chain and food webs will be introduced. Musical instruments identification activities will be included.
There will be plenty of activities related to November Celebrations in Canada and around the World. For example: on November 11 we will be discussing the meaning of peace and will be joining the Clinic's team at 11:00 AM to celebrate Remembrance Day. There will be also special activities to celebrate Children's National day [November the 12]. We will be reading a children's book about children's rights and will be creating and recreating the children's rights through various art mediums. Overall, there are a variety of activities for all the children: juniors and seniors.
Specific activities are posted in the bulletin board. Parents are welcome to participate and collaborate with materials, resources, ideas, and skills. Please join us in our Good Will Hunting!

Autumn Mother Nature Provocations

By Sara Rocio Raeesi-Gujani

Wow! Green has disappeared in the woods and the light has reflected a rainbow of colours back into our eyes!

All Change in the Mystery Woods

All Change in the Mystery woods: it was misty morning in the mystery woods.
The Fog hugged the trees and the tree tops disappeared absorbing all noise.
So, no sound could be heard:
No rustling leaves or cracking branches, even the birds were quiet.
Everything was still and peaceful, everything looks like a photograph.
Then, in a flash! The silent was shattered by a huge bang!!
What was happening?

(Author: unknown)

Suddenly, everything was in motion: Summer was gone! Cold days began, colour appeared in the woods, leaves started to fall, and a magical force brought everything and everyone at the Forest Preschool down to Earth.

OCTOBER PEDAGOGICAL THEME:

Celebrating Bio-Cultural Diversity

All Colours of the Earth by Sheila Hamanaka invited the children to start to explore and investigate: Why the colours of the earth reflect the colours of the world?

We will start by exploring the colours of the forest and the meaning of the season. We will discuss why the leaves change colours. Then, we will explore with light and shadow play. We will study camouflage, markings, and will discuss how these might help animals survive in the wild. Further we will investigate Carp Ridge natural resources and will identify some. For example: animals, rocks, minerals, edible, medicinal, and poisonous plants. We also will be investigating the variety of construction materials used in Carp Ridge buildings.
Most importantly we will be sharing our cultural roots and/or our experiences traveling to other cities, towns, and, countries. We will investigate the meaning of our names. We will study the cultural and linguistic diversity at Carp Ridge and the diversity of food prepared in our kitchen. The children will visit the kitchen and have snack and a conversation with Cindy about food and how she decides our meals. We also will be harvesting some vegetables in our garden.
Finally, we will discuss our favourite music and will explore music and variety music instruments. We will be making musical instruments using materials found in nature.
Parents are encouraged to participate and to share ideas and materials. For example, families can create a family picture book and a family tree (add stories and the name of places visited). We can share resources (world maps, musical instruments, postcards) and any other materials related to our October celebration. For details on specific activities please visit our bulletin board and our book and resource display.

Happy Bio-Cultural Diversity Celebration!

I will back on Tuesday October 26.

Cindy's Split Pea Soup

Here is another delectable recipe from our kitchen. We leave out the "herbe de provence" and remove the bay leaf before we puree. Enjoy.

3 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, diced
1 clove of minced garlic
2 ribs celery, finely diced
1 1/2 cups yellow split peas, rinsed and drained
1 tbsp "herbe de provence"
1 bay leaf

Heat oil on medium-low heat. Add onions, garlic and celery and gently saute for about 5 minutes. Add split peas and saute for another 5 minutes. Add "herbe de provence", bay leaf and water. Simmer on low heat for about 45 minutes or until peas are tender. Add more water if a thinner broth is desired. Remove bay leaf, then puree with an immersion blender. Season to taste with "herbamare" or sea salt, and pepper (if desired).

Note: Cindy likes to add one or two chopped, cooked carrots after the soup is pureed.

Cindy's Slow Cooker Vegetable Chili Recipe

Here is one of our favourite recipes. Cindy leaves out some of the peppers as that would be too hot for the children.

Ingredients:
1 can (11ounce) condensed black bean soup or canned black beans in juice
1 can (15 ounce) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 ounce) garbanzo beans, draned and rinsed (lentils is an option)
1 can (16 ounce) vegetarian baked beans
1 can (14.5 ounce) chopped tomato puree or 1 can (29 ounce) crushed tomatoes
1 can (15 ounce) drained, whole kernel corn
1 chopped onion
1 chopped green bell pepper
2 chopped zucchini
2 chopped celery stalks
2 chopped garlic cloves
1 can (4 ounce) diced chilies (optional)
1 - 2 chopped jalapenos (how much heat is preferred)
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoon cumin
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 tablespoon cilantro (optional)

Directions:
1 - In a suacepan, saute the onion, bell ppepper, zucchini, and celery for about five minutes.
2 - In a slow cooker, combine black beans, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, baked beans, tomatoes, corn, and the ingredients from step 1.
3 - Season with garlic, chili powder, cumin, parsley, oregano, basil and the optional cilantro.
4 - Cook for about 6 hours on low.
5 - Serve with totillas, cornbread, rice or French bread.
6 - Enjoy!
7 - This freezes well.
8 - Leftovers are good on top of nachos.

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