forest Monday 9.8.2014

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We have moved our posts to a new web address: cornerclassroom.wordpress.com, because Mrs. Minnucci is expecting a baby, and soon there will be a substitute taking over the classroom. So we wanted a web address that was ready to be shared between different teachers. I will try to continue to link to Forest Kindergarten posts as we make them.  Here is our first from Monday:

 

http://cornerclassroom.wordpress.com/2014/09/08/forest-monday-september-8-2014/

 

forest friday 06.13.2014

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This morning everybody got a little stick and they got to throw it in the fire. They made a thank you to the forest. We burned the sticks so the smoke would go up in the air and tell the animals and all the nature the thank yous that we have. We threw the stick in as a way to say bye to the forest. This is our last forest Friday together as a class. Some of our thank yous were: Thank you forest for all the sticks you gave me to build a fort. Thank you forest for letting us visit. Thank you forest for keeping us warm. Thank you forest for the green plants. Thank you forest for letting us come here. Thank you forest for letting me have sticks and not giving me poison ivy. Thank you forest for keeping us safe. We hope that you, reader, will have a good time in the forest where you live. We also remember that this forest belongs to our students and they can come visit anytime. All the forest belongs to everybody in the world.

forest friday 6.06.2014

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In the morning we were at rest spots, one of the brother of a student was drawing on a clipboard with some colored pencils. Everyone was supposed to draw a picture of their rest spot.

In the morning we were at rest spots, the brother of a student was drawing on a clipboard with some colored pencils. Everyone was supposed to draw a picture of their rest spot.

This student was drawing a fern and some pine needles. She worked quietly on her own for a long time.

This student was drawing a fern and some pine needles. She worked quietly on her own for a long time.

This morning we said good morning around the fire pit, and asked what's different about the forest. We do it every forest Friday. Some things that people noticed today was that the ferns were bigger, the forest was wetter, there were more animals about, and there was lots of green.

This morning we said good morning around the fire pit, and asked what’s different about the forest. We do it every forest Friday. Some things that people noticed today were that the ferns were bigger, the forest was wetter, there were more animals about, and there was lots of green.

Some students were cutting apples so they could make apple crisp.

Some students were cutting apples so they could make apple crisp.

Other students were taking down our old shelter. They carried very heavy limbs off the roof and walls. We put them on top of another shelter, so the next Forest Kindergarten can play there. We had a lot of help today, we had three moms, two dads and a grandmother visit with us.

Other students were taking down our old shelter. They carried very heavy limbs off the roof and walls. We put them on top of another shelter, so the next Forest Kindergarten can play there. We had a lot of help today, we had three moms, two dads and a grandmother visit with us.

We found some red ants. We looked at the ants and tried to feed them leaves. The ants seemed to be eating a type of insect in the tree. When we pulled off more bark we got to see more bugs inside. When we finished here we looked at the maple syrup trees.

We found some red ants. We looked at the ants and tried to feed them leaves. The ants seemed to be eating a type of insect in the tree. When we pulled off more bark we got to see more bugs inside. When we finished here we looked at the maple syrup trees.

Two students were playing a blindfold game when they found this thing on a tree. They didn't know what it was until they got close up. At first they thought it was a snail, but they called their teacher and she told them it was a slug. They were surprised because it was huge, and camouflaged.

Two students were playing a blindfold game when they found this thing on a tree. They didn’t know what it was until they got close up. At first they thought it was a snail, but they called their teacher and she told them it was a slug. They were surprised because it was huge, and camouflaged.

Here a student is on a shelter-top. This is a shelter built by kids.

Here a student is on a shelter-top. This is a shelter built by kids.

This is Mr. Riley. He is in a tunnel that we built. We named it Our Home Tunnel. Mr Riley like it because we worked hard on it.

This is Mr. Riley. He is in a tunnel that we built. We named it Our Home Tunnel. Mr Riley likes it because we worked hard on it.

One of the students pulled a tail of a salamander so other students made a grave for it. We really liked that salamander and were sad for it. The grave was for the tail part, because the other part slithered away. Some kids made a plan to have a memorial service for the tail every Wednesday. We have lots of discussions about how to take care of animals we find. We have spent a lot of this year learning these lessons.

One of the students pulled off a tail of a salamander so other students made a grave for it. We really liked that salamander and were sad for it. The grave was for the tail part, because the other part slithered away. Some kids made a plan to have a memorial service for the tail every Wednesday. We have lots of discussions about how to take care of animals we find. We have spent a lot of this year learning these lessons.

forest friday 5.30.2014

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This morning we were building flower pots. We put in flowers. A student's grandmother brought the project in for us to do. Mrs. Kissell and her two younger daughters visited this morning too. It was nice to have a lot of visitors today.

This morning we were building flower pots. We put in flowers. A student’s grandmother brought the project in for us to do. Mrs. Kissell and her two younger daughters visited this morning too. It was nice to have a lot of visitors today.

This is when we were building the flower pots and Mr. Riley was helping. Mr. Riley came back to spend Forest Friday with us! It made us really happy to have Mr. Riley with us today.

This is when we were building the flower pots and Mr. Riley was helping. Mr. Riley came back to spend Forest Friday with us! It made us really happy to have Mr. Riley with us today.

Katelyn, another student's mother, came to help us too. She helped one student build a fort around her rest spot, then it turned into a workshop. Katelyn helped us a lot!

Katelyn, another student’s mother, came to help us too. She helped one student build a fort around her rest spot, then it turned into a workshop. The students say they were happy that Katelyn came to help, and that they like her very much!

A student found a snail shell, and at first he thought it was empty, then a snail came out! He put it on the bench so that other's could see it too. The snail only hid in the shell when people picked it up.

A student found a snail shell, and at first he thought it was empty, then a snail came out! He put it on the bench so that other’s could see it too. The snail only hid in the shell when people picked it up.

At first to make macaroni and cheese you have to shred cheese. We also added milk and butter and flour. Lots of students tried it.

At first to make macaroni and cheese you have to shred cheese. We also added milk and butter and flour. Lots of students tried it. We didn’t have too many photos today…I guess it was just a beautiful, fun day in the woods together. Special thank you to all of our visitors and helpers, we love having guests!

 

forest friday 5.16.2014

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Early this morning in the woods we were making cake for a student's birthday, it turned out well. It was called "Mud Cake," but the mud in the cake was really chocolate. It was yummy. The birthday boy gave it a thumbs up.

Early this morning in the woods we were making cake for a student’s birthday, it turned out well. It was called “Mud Cake,” but the mud in the cake was really chocolate. It was yummy. The birthday boy gave it a thumbs up.

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We were playing a dice game. You have to collect chickadee sticks. When you roll a dice you would get that many sticks. When you get ten you can make a bundle. If you get up to fifty you win. We didn't get to fifty, only to forty today.

We were playing a dice game. You have to collect chickadee sticks. When you roll a dice you would get that many sticks. When you get ten you can make a bundle. If you get up to fifty you win. We didn’t get to fifty, only to forty today.

Another one of the morning choices was building with the birthday boy's father. Students worked on building a roof. There was lots of cooperation and teamwork during the building.

Another one of the morning choices was building with the birthday boy’s father. Students worked on building a roof. There was lots of cooperation and teamwork during the building.

One student found a beetle and it was green and red. The antennae were red. It was very cool that a student found this. He put it somewhere safe where no people will walk.

One student found a beetle and it was green and red. The antennae were red. It was very cool that a student found this. He put it somewhere safe where no people will walk.

One of the students, the birthday boy, was in a thing he worked really hard on, and lots of friends helped him.

One of the students, the birthday boy, was in a thing he worked really hard on, and lots of friends helped him.

There was a seat and we put a rock on, it turned out like a table for lunch. Four kids shared one table.

There was a seat and we put a rock on, it turned out like a table for lunch. Four kids shared one table.

Mrs. Teachout was reading us a book about the months and the seasons. It had lots of poems in it. While we were eating lunch we read it. And we really liked the book. It showed in the illustrations how the seasons change and it showed all the full moons. It showed what happens every month of the year.

Mrs. Teachout was reading us a book about the months and the seasons. It had lots of poems in it. While we were eating lunch we read it. And we really liked the book. It showed in the illustrations how the seasons change and it showed all the full moons. It showed what happens every month of the year.

This student was playing a blindfold game. One kid put a blindfold over their eyes. Two other kids helped lead the blindfolded person from one tree to another. One student was in the back to warn the blindfolded kid when to step up.

This student was playing a blindfold game. One kid put a blindfold over their eyes. Two other kids helped lead the blindfolded person from one tree to another. One student was in the back to warn the blindfolded kid when to step up.

These two started at the starting tree. The leader led and told the blindfolded kid where to go. The leader took their partner to a particular tree. The blindfolded person would touch the tree without looking. The leader would take them back. The blindfolded person would take the the blindfold off and try to guess which tree it was.

These two started at the starting tree. The leader led and told the blindfolded kid where to go. The leader took their partner to a particular tree. The blindfolded person would touch the tree without looking. The leader would take them back. The blindfolded person would take the the blindfold off and try to guess which tree it was.

The birthday boy's dad was cutting up sod for the fort. We put the sod on the top of the front of the house.

The birthday boy’s dad was cutting up sod for the fort. We put the sod on the top of the front of the house.

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forest friday 05.09.2014

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First thing this morning a student found this shell at his rest spot. There was not a snail in it. He brought it to morning meeting at the firepit. He came right when the bell rang, so he got to show it to his friends.

First thing this morning a student found this shell at his rest spot. There was not a snail in it. He brought it to morning meeting at the firepit. He came right when the bell rang, so he got to show it to his friends.

We were describing the weather. Some kids guessed at the temperature, they thought it was 50 or 51 degrees. The weather person told us that it was 54 degrees.

We were describing the weather. Some kids guessed at the temperature, they thought it was 50 or 51 degrees. The weather person told us that it was 54 degrees.

This student found a skull at her house and brought it to share. She told us that it was a deer skull.

This student found a skull at her house and brought it to share. She told us that it was a deer skull.

We talked about how predators eyes face forward "eyes in front, likes to hunt," and prey eyes go to the side "eyes on the side, likes to hide."

We talked about how predators eyes face forward “eyes in front, likes to hunt,” and prey eyes go to the side “eyes on the side, likes to hide.”

We were making apple crisp with students who wanted to be helpful. We put apples, cinnamon, butter, brown sugar, oats and rhubarb.

We were making apple crisp with students who wanted to be helpful. We put apples, cinnamon, butter, brown sugar, oats and rhubarb.

This is what the apple crisp looked like before we cooked it. One student is catching raindrops on his tongue.

This is what the apple crisp looked like before we cooked it. One student is catching raindrops on his tongue.

Here is what the apple crisp looked like when it was finished. 8 kids liked it, and all the adults did too.

Here is what the apple crisp looked like when it was finished. 8 kids liked it, and all the adults did too.

We were writing math problems. We made them with things we found in the forest. For example there were ten leaves, a person dropped 3 sticks. How many leaves and sticks were there altogether?

We were writing math problems. We made them with things we found in the forest. For example there were ten leaves, a person dropped 3 sticks. How many leaves and sticks were there altogether?

We were putting some mud to stop the stream. We wanted to make the dam more sturdy so that no water can go through, so that we can jump in the water.

We were putting some mud to stop the stream. We wanted to make the dam more sturdy so that no water can go through, so that we can jump in the water.

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This student was making a math problem and it was four ripped leaves and two not ripped leaves, how many were altogether?

This student was making a math problem and it was four ripped leaves and two not ripped leaves, how many were altogether?

In this picture Mrs. Minnucci is very excited that her student remembered how to identify oak leaves all by herself.

In this picture Mrs. Minnucci is very excited that her student remembered how to identify oak leaves all by herself.

This is a student making a bird call. He slid a piece of wood off a piece of wood and it sounded like a bird.

This is a student making a bird call. He slid a piece of wood off a piece of wood and it sounded like a bird.

We're finding out about what salamanders eat. We did research and we didn't learn what they eat, but we learned that they spend seven years on land and then move to water as an adult.

We’re finding out about what salamanders eat. We did research and we didn’t learn what they eat, but we learned that they spend seven years on land and then move to water as an adult.

A student built a drum set made out of logs, there was a foot pedal for the drum too.

A student built a drum set made out of logs, there was a foot pedal for the drum too.

A lot of students were drawing things that were green. First the students found something that was living, and then drew and painted it.

A lot of students were drawing things that were green. First the students found something that was living, and then drew and painted it.

Here's another student showing off her math problem.

Here’s another student showing off her math problem.

Some students were close enough to the brook that they could use the brook water for their watercolors.

Some students were close enough to the brook that they could use the brook water for their watercolors.

 

forest friday 4.25.2014

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In the morning at our sit-spots, this student built a little bed that was really bouncy. Because they were very long sticks he could go really high and stretch out his legs.

In the morning at our sit-spots, this student built a little bed that was really bouncy. Because they were very long sticks he could go really high and stretch out his legs.

Also during sit-spots this student decided to lay too, because she was tired.

Also during sit-spots this student decided to lay too, because she was tired.

We are cleaning up the woods. Once the snow melted, we found leaves and a lot of sticks on the ground near our shelters. So it was time for spring cleaning. Some students raked the material into "deer beds."

We are cleaning up the woods. Once the snow melted, we found leaves and a lot of sticks on the ground near our shelters. So it was time for spring cleaning. Some students raked the material into “deer beds.”

One student found plants at her sit spot, and told us about it at morning meeting. Here she is showing us the plants.

One student found plants at her sit spot, and told us about it at morning meeting. Here she is showing us the plants.

These girls were selling tacos and cheeseburgers, and some soup. They called it "The Food Station." Later some kids who had been working on the shelter took a break to eat some food.

These girls were selling tacos and cheeseburgers, and some soup. They called it “The Food Station.” Later some kids who had been working on the shelter took a break to eat some food.

We were making a shelter. A kid was dumping leaves from a net to fill up cracks in a wall.

We were making a shelter. A kid was dumping leaves from a net to fill up cracks in a wall.

This student was raking up leaves. This student was the project manager for this shelter. He has been working on it for at least three days over the last couple of weeks.

This student was raking up leaves. This student was the project manager for this shelter. He has been working on it for at least three days over the last couple of weeks.

This student is working on the house so no bad guys could get in. It was kind of a weapon.

This student is working on the house so no bad guys could get in. It was kind of a weapon.

After snack we split into smaller groups for projects. One group was looking for plants, or green things. We found lots of plants, they were kind of small. We found a bunch of things that have a red stem and the leaves are green. We were looking for living things.

After snack we split into smaller groups for projects. One group was looking for plants, or green things. We found lots of plants, they were kind of small. We found a bunch of things that have a red stem and the leaves are green. We were looking for living things.

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After we found plants, then we found bugs, one looked like a little tiny skinny worm and the other looked like a beetle. To find animals, we talked about where they might be...underground and under rocks. And that is where we found them.

After we found plants, then we found bugs, one looked like a little tiny skinny worm and the other looked like a beetle. To find animals, we talked about where they might be…underground and under rocks. And that is where we found them.

When we found an animal, all the kids huddled around close together. This student said "I'll just back up once I see it, so everyone else can have a turn."

When we found an animal, all the kids huddled around close together. This student said “I’ll just back up once I see it, so everyone else can have a turn.”

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Another group was working on cleaning up the shelter a little bit. Then people started taking out the seats and cleaning up under the seats. We moved all the leaves out of the shelter so we could have more room to walk and it would be much more clean.

Another group was working on cleaning up the shelter a little bit. Then people started taking out the seats and cleaning up under the seats. We moved all the leaves out of the shelter so we could have more room to walk and it would be much more clean.

Another group was looking for buds. This student tied a piece of fabric around a branch. When we go back we can see the same branch.

Another group was looking for buds. This student tied a piece of fabric around a branch. When we go back we can see the same branch.

Mostly we found beech buds, this one was near maple trees. We'll watch it until it turns into a leaf, and be sure what it is.

Mostly we found beech buds, this one was near maple trees. We’ll watch it until it turns into a leaf, and be sure what it is.

Mrs. Minnucci was reading a story when it was lunch time. It was sort of a long book about foxes. The author took pictures of the foxes and they were real. This author, Mary Holland, also wrote Naturally Curious, one of our favorite books.

Mrs. Minnucci was reading a story when it was lunch time. It was sort of a long book about foxes. The author took pictures of the foxes and they were real. This author, Mary Holland, also wrote Naturally Curious, one of our favorite books.

Some kids are sitting on a stick so we can have more seats at the fire-pit, so they didn't have to sit on the ground. It was a flexible stick.

Some kids are sitting on a stick so we can have more seats at the fire-pit, so they didn’t have to sit on the ground. It was a flexible stick.

We found a mouse nest made of some things we put out in the forest. There was some colored wool in it we had left out for birds.

We found a mouse nest made of some things we put out in the forest. There was some colored wool in it we had left out for birds.

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forest friday 4.11.2013

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This morning we colored pictures to be place-mats for the Listen Center dinners and David's House. The fifth graders were doing a community service project that we all helped out with. In the end our school was able to donate $500 to David's House.

This morning we colored pictures to be place-mats for the Listen Center dinners and David’s House. The fifth graders were doing a community service project that we all helped out with. In the end our school was able to donate $500 to David’s House.

After sit-spots a student waved his wand so the others could turn into animals. Today they turned into predators and hunted the teachers to the fire.

After sit-spots a student waved his wand so the others could turn into animals. Today they turned into predators and hunted the teachers to the fire.

At morning meeting out in the woods we were saying what's different. We noticed more changes of spring today, for example it was pretty muddy, and the stream was pretty full and loud.

At morning meeting out in the woods we were saying what’s different. We noticed more changes of spring today, for example it was pretty muddy, and the stream was pretty full and loud.

This student was checking the thermometer, it was a kind of warm temperature. It was 58 degrees outside. To us it felt "medium," "like spring," "half cold, half warm, because I saw snow and it felt warm," "really, really warm," and "cool."

This student was checking the thermometer, it was a kind of warm temperature. It was 58 degrees outside. To us it felt “medium,” “like spring,” “half cold, half warm, because I saw snow and it felt warm,” “really, really warm,” and “cool.”

After morning meeting we spent some time writing on plastic Easter eggs, because we were making them for Mrs. Bradley's class, because they left treasures for us. If an egg already said "-it" then we added a "b" to make it say "bit." If an egg already said "-at" we might add "b" to make "bat" or "r" to make "rat."

After morning meeting we spent some time writing on plastic Easter eggs, because we were making them for Mrs. Bradley’s class, because they left treasures for us. If an egg already said “-it” then we added a “b” to make it say “bit.” If an egg already said “-at” we might add “b” to make “bat” or “r” to make “rat.”

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These two friends found a little, tiny bug under some bark. They wanted to show a teacher, so they asked her to come see it. They didn't pick it up because they knew that where it was was the best place for it. They looked at it for a minute and then they put the bark back on it

These two friends found a little, tiny bug under some bark. They wanted to show a teacher, so they asked her to come see it. They didn’t pick it up because they knew that where it was was the best place for it. They looked at it for a minute and then they put the bark back on it

Here students were building a house. A few of them worked for a long time without stopping.

Here students were building a house. A few of them worked for a long time without stopping.

We found two different examples of really different colored rotting wood, one was really read and one was blueish green. Hmm, interesting.

We found two different examples of really different colored rotting wood, one was really read and one was blueish green. Hmm, interesting.

One student didn't want the stream to go, she wanted it plugged. Some people were there first and liked how it was running really fast and loud. One student thought the sound of running water was like music. So they worked it out so that the stream did not get plugged. Some students found a different place to plug it. It was the most helpful when students explained to each other why they wanted it to flow or why they wanted it to be dammed.

One student didn’t want the stream to go, she wanted it plugged. Some people were there first and liked how it was running really fast and loud. One student thought the sound of running water was like music. So they worked it out so that the stream did not get plugged. Some students found a different place to plug it. It was the most helpful when students explained to each other why they wanted it to flow or why they wanted it to be dammed.

Today was Mrs. Teachout's birthday, her seven more than twenty-third birthday. Her husband came to surprise her with flowers, and their dalmatian. We also had popsicles to celebrate spring, 100 alphabits and Mrs. Teachout's birthday.

Today was Mrs. Teachout’s birthday, her seven more than twenty-third birthday. Her husband came to surprise her with flowers, and their dalmatian. We also had popsicles to celebrate spring, 100 alphabits and Mrs. Teachout’s birthday.

At the very end of the day we hid the Easter eggs. Do you think Mrs. Bradley's class will know it was us, or think it was the Easter Bunny?

At the very end of the day we hid the Easter eggs. Do you think Mrs. Bradley’s class will know it was us, or think it was the Easter Bunny?