Dear Community,

I was really excited to start the year and to get to know the students. The forest is a magical place that invites creativity, imagination and creation. From woodworking and building projects to farm and garden chores, your children are engaged in a wide array of purposeful hands-on activities.

First Grade

In first grade, we listened to a story about a magical town called Mountaintop. The town houses the baker and his children, the potter, the weaver and many more. Your students are now working on building the town. They have gathered clay and are currently creating the farm animals that will populate Mountaintop.

Second Grade

The second graders have been put in charge of the community compost. They will be able to use the composted fertile soil for their third grade gardening projects next year. The students deliver the wheelbarrow to the compost every day and return it to the parking lot. (Currently the community fills half a wheelbarrow each day. Hopefully we will get to three wheelbarrows a day in the near future!) Besides that, the students work on creating an herb garden next to the parking lot.

Third Grade

Our third graders began the year with farming and gardening, and taking care of our goats, donkeys and chickens. We are currently taking a break from farming and are creating an herb garden for the Joyful Beginnings program. In addition, we are playing various games such as mastering an obstacle course (that includes a fallen tree), walking backwards,and jumping on one leg.

Fourth Grade

The fourth graders began the year by researching rabbits and rabbit habitats. Then we designed a rabbit hutch that we are going to add to the farm. The students are learning to use saws, hammers and clamps in the process. The fourth graders will be put in charge of caring for our bunnies once they join the farm.

Fifth Grade

In fifth grade, we are busy transforming the earth from the play area into a pizza oven. Your students started with digging and learned what's good clay for building. We add some water from the creek and a bit of hay to the clay. Students then mix the clay with hay and water using their feet. After that, they shape the earth to create bricks and arrange them. We hope that by the end of the year, we will be able to invite you all for a taste of pizza.