Greetings Forestgarten Families!
Our first week of the new year has flown by! Although the weather felt more like spring, we are now starting our day by singing about winter. We hope our winter circle will turn the rain drops into snow flakes! See below for the start of our new circle!
Up the misty mountain
Down the valley low
March the merry mountain folk
Ho Ho Ho
We’ll cut the magic crystal
We’ll cut the stars aglow
We’ll turn them into snowflakes
And make it snow, snow, snow
Ask your Forestgartener to show you the movements!
While the rain poured, we spent a little more time in our classroom engaging in fun creative and practical tasks. We peeled and chopped vegetables for soup, learned to fold towels and silks, did watercolor painting, and washed dishes. We also enjoyed a wonderful model train layout. Students learned about all types of trains through the ages. Check your child’s backpack for information on the Southern Train Museum ☺
While in the forest, we took advantage of the warm rain and muddy puddles. The students jumped, splashed, and made many mud pies and other “delicious” muddy treats in the mud kitchen. We also visited the garden and were welcomed by our animal friends. Some of the children picked fresh, green grass for our goats, Prince Kudzu and Princess Snow White. The goats nibbled graciously and gently from their little hands.
Our story this week was about the trees of the forest and a little bird with a hurt wing. The little bird could not fly south for the winter and needed a warm place to stay. She asked many trees to help her and one after another, they refused. No one would welcome her into their branches for the shelter and warmth she needed. Finally, the Spruce tree, seeing the bird looking sad, asked if he could help her. He lovingly extended his warmest branch to the bird and welcomed her to stay through the winter. A Pine tree then leaned close and offered to shield the bird from wind. Lastly, a kind Juniper tree offered her berries to nourish the wounded bird. The Frost King, seeing the kindness of the Spruce, Pine and Juniper, instructed his son, North Wind, to blow through all of the tress except those three. For their kindness, they were to forever keep their leaves and needles.
We rounded out our week by celebrating sweet Lincoln’s birthday, as he took his sixth trip around the sun. We heard heartfelt memories of Lincoln from each year of his life and enjoyed yummy tootsie pops and dried apricots! Happy Birthday, Lincoln!
Reminders!
Please pack an extra pair of shoes and several pairs of socks each day! The forest is very wet and muddy and it is necessary to keep their toes dry and warm!
Rest mats should be sent to school on Monday and picked up every Thursday/Friday from the picnic tables for washing
Next week is going to be very cold! Please ensure your child is dressed in layers, including a warm coat, hat, gloves, base layer shirt and pants, and insulated boots (No unlined rainboots please!).
With gratitude and appreciation,
Ki Holly
Ki Fatima
Ki Amy
