tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80103832217638576112024-03-14T01:22:27.713-07:00North Branch Nature CenterChip Darmstadthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13640990750993639096noreply@blogger.comBlogger465125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010383221763857611.post-33865219496054817082016-12-21T12:38:00.003-08:002016-12-23T10:20:52.487-08:00Plainfield Christmas Bird Count Results<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8067/8279092787_85c90f8f5b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8067/8279092787_85c90f8f5b.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pine Grosbeak put in its first appearance since 2012</td></tr>
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Snow was the theme for the 55th Plainfield CBC this past Saturday, December 17, 2016. Weather is the biggest predictor of count productivity, and with snow throughout most of the day, it is not surprising that numbers were lower than usual. We ended up with several gaps in coverage due in part to the weather, but despite the challenging conditions, 30 participants managed to locate 37 species of birds, a little shy of our 10-year average of 39.1 species.<br />
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One of this year’s highlights was a <b>Northern Flicker</b> found in the Barre territory, only the 5th time recorded and the first since 2006. A lone <b>Snow Bunting</b> was our first since 2010. A <b>Red-winged Blackbird</b> in Plainfield-South territory was the 5th seen in the last 20 years, and the first since 2011. A total of 13 <b>Pine Grosbeaks</b> were seen in 3 territories, our first since 2012. Thanks in part to the owling efforts of Ken Benton, we set a new high count for <b>Barred Owl</b> of 4. <b>Carolina Wren</b> would have been unexpected 5 years ago, but has now become a regular occurrence with 1 individual found this year.<br />
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The most notable miss this year was <b>Purple Finch</b>, which had been seen every year since 2007. Purple Finches have become scarcer over the years, but after 252 reported last year, this was a disappointing miss. Other common species that were missed this year include <b>Canada Goose</b>, <b>Hooded Merganser</b>, and <b>Pine Siskin</b>. Only a single <b>Ruffed Grouse</b> was found in Lanesboro territory, a nice save considering we last missed Ruffed Grouse in 1985. Additional birds missed on count day but seen during count week were <b>Northern Shrike</b>, <b>Bald Eagle</b>, and <b>Bohemian Waxwing</b>.<br />
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The Plainfield count is blessed to have many passionate and dedicated volunteers, and this year we pay tribute to long-time volunteers Neil and Sharon Osborne. Together, they diligently covered a territory for the Plainfield CBC (most recently Hollister Hill) since 1989. After nearly 50 decades of enjoying birds with his wife Sharon, Neil passed away just this year. Neil had an incredibly keen eye and a passion for owls. Next time you hear or see a Barred Owl, be sure to remember Neil!<br />
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<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 196px;">
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 6144; mso-width-source: userset; width: 126pt;" width="168"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1024; mso-width-source: userset; width: 21pt;" width="28"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt; width: 126pt;" width="168">Mallard</td>
<td align="right" style="width: 21pt;" width="28">41</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Common Merganser</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Ruffed Grouse</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Wild Turkey</td>
<td align="right">129</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Sharp-shinned Hawk</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Cooper's Hawk</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Bald Eagle</td>
<td>cw</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Red-tailed Hawk</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Rock Pigeon</td>
<td align="right">245</td>
</tr>
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<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Mourning Dove</td>
<td align="right">118</td>
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<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Barred Owl</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
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<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Downy Woodpecker</td>
<td align="right">26</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Hairy Woodpecker</td>
<td align="right">30</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Northern Flicker</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Pileated Woodpecker</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
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<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Northern Shrike</td>
<td>cw</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Blue Jay</td>
<td align="right">90</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">American Crow</td>
<td align="right">298</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Common Raven</td>
<td align="right">21</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Black-capped Chickadee</td>
<td align="right">807</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Tufted Titmouse</td>
<td align="right">13</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Red-breasted Nuthatch</td>
<td align="right">20</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">White-breasted Nuthatch</td>
<td align="right">36</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Brown Creeper</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Carolina Wren</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Golden-crowned Kinglet</td>
<td align="right">7</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">American Robin</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">European Starling</td>
<td align="right">55</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Bohemian Waxwing</td>
<td>cw</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Cedar Waxwing</td>
<td align="right">6</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Snow Bunting</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">American Tree Sparrow</td>
<td align="right">38</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Dark-eyed Junco</td>
<td align="right">22</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Northern Cardinal</td>
<td align="right">29</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Red-winged Blackbird</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Pine Grosbeak</td>
<td align="right">13</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">House Finch</td>
<td align="right">12</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">American Goldfinch</td>
<td align="right">88</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Evening Grosbeak</td>
<td align="right">73</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">House Sparrow</td>
<td align="right">12</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Larry Clarfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12331350277273086026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010383221763857611.post-70854518861599507512016-12-19T09:50:00.000-08:002016-12-19T09:50:37.696-08:00Finding Light in the Dark<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; white-space: pre-wrap;">This was the spark. This playful observation inspired conversations, jokes and games that captivated the entire group. Strung out behind us in the low morning light, we were being stalked by our own shadows. But nothing is more delightful than shadow tag. Have you ever played it? We run, pounce, crouch, hide in the shade (“shadows can’t survive in the shade”) and leap out again. Chasing each other’s shadows became such a popular game this fall that there were even requests for it on overcast days...at which point we had to look sadly at the ground all around us and realize that this game came to us only under particular circumstances.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P0o8AuZc88g/WFFSfWvTVPI/AAAAAAAAAXM/N97opquePaAZ6aQhvtACr4kF_gVdyV8KwCPcB/s1600/1102161057d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P0o8AuZc88g/WFFSfWvTVPI/AAAAAAAAAXM/N97opquePaAZ6aQhvtACr4kF_gVdyV8KwCPcB/s320/1102161057d.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; white-space: pre-wrap;">On rainy days we try to stay on the move. Moving bodies are warm bodies. So instead of heading straight to Deer Camp after Loose Parts, we take the long way through the meadow and visit the rock. Everybody loves the rock. It’s just big enough and steep enough that climbing it (and sliding down it) is challenging without being overwhelming. Often at Forest Preschool, the children naturally break into smaller configurations during play: swing or mud kitchen or Bear Hill. But there is something about the rock that pulls the group together. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On this day, after a few minutes of exploration, the cry goes out. “Flood!” Water rushes in around our feet and everybody scrambles, panting to the top of the rock. Helping hands are extended to each other – “Pull!” “I’ve got you!” – and no sooner has everybody arrived safely at the pinnacle, than a shark is discovered in their midst and the children scatter again – a screaming, laughing panic and flurry of bodies. We teachers try to mostly stand back and enjoy the commotion (though sometimes we are dragged to safety in the nick of time as well). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">These are the golden moments. When the children create their own play and immerse themselves in it. Sometimes it’s an energetic game like Flood at the Rock; other times it can be something quieter, more solitary, maybe building a house or mixing mud smoothies. What’s most important is that the children are able to come to these imaginative moments. It is in these playful spaces, in what adults call “flow” that the brain lights up. This is where joy happens – and dee</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">p learning. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; white-space: pre-wrap;">As teachers, we make spaces, and sometimes we help connect the dots. We create stories each week that are inspired by the discoveries and interests of the children, and we use them to make connections, expand ideas, ask more questions. The emergent “curriculum” this fall was also enriched by some planned events that all happened to circle around food and warming our bodies. </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nothing takes the chill off like pressing apple cider, cooking soup or popping popcorn over a fire. Sumac tea made from sumac seeds harvested at the beaver pond was a new experience for most!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now December brings us snow and more adventures together. We’ll be digging shelters, sliding down hills, tracking animals – staying warm, and certainly finding some joy.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14362163306789062858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010383221763857611.post-35983721950545360232016-07-08T03:23:00.000-07:002016-07-08T03:23:13.158-07:00Inside Out<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Forest Preschool classroom changes every day. Some of the changes are visible overnight, like when the pine trees release pollen that suddenly leaves a fine yellow dust on everything below, or when the puddle in our path that was dry yesterday is full today. A late snow in April can </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">bury the fresh green of spring grass, and snowsuits put away for the season must be pulled out one last time. </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RQ7sV_HQ3Ps/V3lcagKiiTI/AAAAAAAAAUY/GJe0zTPvC00-sZxk97PfgOLv3OM8HvBjACKgB/s1600/0426161118a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RQ7sV_HQ3Ps/V3lcagKiiTI/AAAAAAAAAUY/GJe0zTPvC00-sZxk97PfgOLv3OM8HvBjACKgB/s320/0426161118a.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Other changes, though equally dramatic, happen in slow motion – like the transformation of the meadow through the seasons. Four to five foot green and then goldenrod yellow tunnels snake through the meadow in the fall, flatten under winter snow into comparably expansive views that slowly disappear again in the spring as broken brown stalks are buried in the explosion of new green only a month later. The grass seed heads in June look like mini firework displays. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our perspectives change with the view: as the meadow closes in around us again, we take our eyes off the hills and the clouds and birds and notice the developing leaves and flowers right beside us and we discover the numerous insects that live there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">forest</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> classroom in the spring is no less dynamic. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; line-height: 1.38;">Sunlight and ephemeral flowers both fade as the green canopy closes in over our heads, providing welcome shade as the spring days grow warmer. Fiddleheads emerge from their papery nests in May and soar up over children's heads by June. Trips to the “beaver” pond reveal plump, overwintered tadpoles – first seen under the ice in the fall – now growing legs. The river rises and retreats after each rain and the cobbled beach disappears and reappears with it.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bVi_u19vg0w/V3ldfTT1NrI/AAAAAAAAAVE/CFHgTPmNvMMS4EHCL4057q-Lvx_iL4QfQCKgB/s1600/0505161105b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bVi_u19vg0w/V3ldfTT1NrI/AAAAAAAAAVE/CFHgTPmNvMMS4EHCL4057q-Lvx_iL4QfQCKgB/s320/0505161105b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Er6bdeAa0nQ/V3ldwEH0LLI/AAAAAAAAAVI/zTYaie8jAa0ILPDjVgDJMYOfO-cit5BigCKgB/s1600/0518161136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Er6bdeAa0nQ/V3ldwEH0LLI/AAAAAAAAAVI/zTYaie8jAa0ILPDjVgDJMYOfO-cit5BigCKgB/s320/0518161136.jpg" width="180" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">These ongoing surprises and transformations in our environment are what make FPS unique. All the ingredients for a rich, challenging and nurturing learning environment are imbedded in our “classroom” – in the beautiful fields and woods of the North Branch Nature Center. Opportunities for spontaneous, trial and error experimentation abound; the details and complexities of nature feed the innate curiosity of the children and provide daily opportunities to explore and make connections. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">If “every child contains the basis for their own learning” (Christakis, xix), then the child’s environment essentially becomes the curriculum. Here, in this environment, we find the space for exploring cause and effect, for challenging our bodies, for asking big questions and deducing answers, for imagining and creating, for sharing and connecting. Relationships are formed and love grows – for each other and for the animals and plants around us. </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JNKQDRld-bA/V3leE97gPxI/AAAAAAAAAVI/0cphuXpn94MMQ4VrzbbzpTbjWXX-FrO3QCKgB/s1600/0426160949e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JNKQDRld-bA/V3leE97gPxI/AAAAAAAAAVI/0cphuXpn94MMQ4VrzbbzpTbjWXX-FrO3QCKgB/s320/0426160949e.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Learning and love are mutually reinforcing concepts in the mind of a growing child,” says early childhood educator Erika Christakis.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A boy pauses in his play, gazes up at the forest around him and asks, “Do we help the trees when we play?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes! Yes, we do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cristakis, Erika. <i>The Importance of Being Little</i>, New York, New York: Viking, 2016.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14362163306789062858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010383221763857611.post-24384768982787567292016-06-03T05:34:00.002-07:002016-06-03T09:04:19.127-07:00BirdFest 2016 a Resounding Success!<table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" id="textEdit" style="width: 100%px;">
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The morning kicked off at 7:00 am with a series of well-attended bird walks, for all ages and abilities. A highlight from the walks included a Black-billed Cuckoo that several groups were able to both hear and see. The walks culminated at 9:30, when Bridget Butler, The Bird Diva, gave her "Birdsong Tune-Up" walk and talk on birding by ear. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Concurrently, NBNC staff ran a banding demonstration, and Outreach for Earth Stewardship introduced participants to rehabilitated hawks and owls. Nona Estrin, local author/illustrator and naturalist, gave a workshop on drawing birds in their natural habitats, and Sandy Parr, from the UVM Extension Master Gardeners gave a workshop on gardening for birds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Under the main tent, participants learned about Bird-Friendly Maple Syrup, from Audubon Vermont, Bird-Friendly Coffee, from Birds and Beans, and voted for the winner of our annual bird photography contest. T-shirts with our 20th anniversary Kingfisher design and Raffle tickets for the Capital Campaign were both for sale.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Under the kid's tent, children turned into owls, as they decorated and wore m</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">asks and paper wings. They also built soda bottle bird feeders and construction paper bird ornaments. Families had the opportunity to build a wren house to keep, or build a wood duck box that will be put up in North Branch River Park.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Wood-fired pizza was made and devoured on-site, donated by WoodBelly Pizza. Other food donations included ice cream from Arnie's Ice Cream, bagels from Maria's Bagels, cheese from Cabot Creamery, and cookies from Birchgrove Bakery. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The day came to a close with a sobering talk about climate change and the future for tidal marsh birds, by NBNC Teen Naturalist Club alum Alyssa Borowske. Follwing remarks by Chip, prizes were handed out to the winners of our drawing and photography contests. In all, over 200 people were present, representing nearly 30 Vermont towns (plus a smattering of folks from as far as New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Montreal, Tennessee, and South Carolina!).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Thank you to all who volunteered, attended, and helped spread the word! We would also like to thank and acknowledge our sponsors who helped make BirdFest possible:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><i>Jet Service</i></strong></span></div>
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Bob's Camera</div>
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Birchgrove Bakery</div>
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Maria's Bagels</div>
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Red Hen</div>
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Cabot Cheese </div>
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Woodbury Mt Toystore</div>
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The World</div>
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Arnie's Ice Cream </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The team scans the dunes of Plum Island as the sun sets</td></tr>
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Yes, the Superbowl (of football) was last month. And the Superbowl we'll be discussing here was the month before that. But it is never too late to share the exciting story of youth birders exploring the Massachusetts coast, and having a great time while doing it! Here is our belated report:<br />
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Superbowl of Birding XIII took place on January 30, 2016. In this 12-hour event, sponsored by Massachusetts
Audubon, 23 teams competed to see which could see the greatest number
of bird species and earn the most points. The point-value of each species
varied by its rarity, with common species like chickadees worth 1 point and the
rarest of species worth 5.</div>
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For the 7<sup>th</sup> year, a Vermont team competed in the Superbowl.
Three youths and four adults awoke at 4 AM, and while they failed to find an
owl in the pre-dawn hours, the morning light revealed a great variety of birds,
including a 4-point Black-headed Gull and a 5-point Redhead duck in Gloucester.
Working north along the coast towards Rockport, the team picked up some other
nice birds on the ocean, including Thick-billed Murre, Harlequin Duck, Purple
Sandpiper, Barrow’s Goldeneye, King Eider, and many others.</div>
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As the team continued its journey north, a number of
valuable birds were spotted in Ipswich. A Turkey Vulture in January earned the
team 5-points, and just minutes later, a 1<sup>st</sup> winter Red-headed
Woodpecker put in an appearance… another 5 point bird. Four Snow Geese along
RT133 were another nice surprise, earning the team another 4 points.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rare Black-headed Gull puts on a show at Eastern Point</td></tr>
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The team ended their day in the birding hotspot of Plum
Island, where the lack of owls before dawn was made up for with 3 Short-eared
Owls hunting over the marsh and a Snowy Owl perched prominently on the dike. As
the sun went down, the team had tallied 59 species and 105 points. While not
enough to win the competition, Vermont again put on a strong performance in the
Superbowl of Birding and planning has already begun for next year’s event. <o:p></o:p></div>
Larry Clarfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12331350277273086026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010383221763857611.post-55988039643626097922016-02-18T10:50:00.000-08:002016-02-18T10:50:32.827-08:00What We're doing in the Woods<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WShZR90A4f8/VqfAw6PM__I/AAAAAAAAEoc/xmVj6WHiK2k/s1600/9554193669_d837853aa2_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WShZR90A4f8/VqfAw6PM__I/AAAAAAAAEoc/xmVj6WHiK2k/s200/9554193669_d837853aa2_o.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">North
Branch Trekkers is an outdoor based after school group for children in grades 4
through 8, which meets every Thursday, throughout the school year… really, it
is me and a bunch of kids goofing off in the woods. But that goofing off is important. When done in a thoughtful way, it builds a
communal love for the outdoors and sense of place.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XSe-dmJcNFM/VqfBgSjsUPI/AAAAAAAAEpc/yxDA6acQYww/s1600/16204144029_fd3dbc5642_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XSe-dmJcNFM/VqfBgSjsUPI/AAAAAAAAEpc/yxDA6acQYww/s200/16204144029_fd3dbc5642_o.jpg" width="112" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">During
Trekkers, we adopt an off trail mentality, using our local landscape to create opportunities to push our limits
and go beyond our comfort levels. We make
it a point to venture away from the beaten path as we explore areas that many people
have walked past but few have ventured into. Stretching our limits together as a group strengthens our bond and sense of community. It could be sledding down a 40 foot chute in the deepest recesses of Montpelier's forests, brushing past ancient hemlocks as you wiz by; or as simple as following a set of deer tracks as far as you can, leading you through frozen marsh and across steep ravines, post holing in snow up past your knees. These are experiences that test both our mental and physical boundaries, pushing us right up against our comfort levels and beyond. Sharing these experiences within the group strengthens our communal bond and utilizing the fields and forest in such a way makes the landscape as much of a character in our adventures as we are ourselves. </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yPKPOO_W9zk/VqfBgHwgjYI/AAAAAAAAEp0/nDlZ5VdKoZ4/s1600/15146546828_6a8a664e6e_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline; float: right; font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 16.8667px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yPKPOO_W9zk/VqfBgHwgjYI/AAAAAAAAEp0/nDlZ5VdKoZ4/s200/15146546828_6a8a664e6e_o.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c3PCiIFVYqs/VqfBhLLv72I/AAAAAAAAEp4/6V_EAabsdAQ/s1600/Deer%2BApple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c3PCiIFVYqs/VqfBhLLv72I/AAAAAAAAEp4/6V_EAabsdAQ/s200/Deer%2BApple.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 16.8667px;">As a part of our exploration of these unfamiliar areas, we take the time to observe who has been there. One way that we do this via tracking. Some kids are interested in taking measurements and analyzing the stride, straddle, and gait to figure out what animal made the tracks. Others want to forge ahead and follow the trail as far as they can. Every now and then we come across something that stops everyone. It could be a kill site, some sort of predator track, or a particularly large pile of scat. To monitor high traffic areas that we come across in our travels, we set up motion activated trail cameras. Part of our weekly routine is checking our cameras to see what has come to visit. In four years, we have captured photo and video of deer, grey fox, coyote, bobcat, raccoon, skunk, fisher, mink, red squirrel, mouse, and shrew, all within the boundaries of the North Branch Nature Center property.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vXVfEjeVqrE/VqfBfxu2XxI/AAAAAAAAEpU/kEtULjwMKYQ/s1600/14381611453_25f9816682_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vXVfEjeVqrE/VqfBfxu2XxI/AAAAAAAAEpU/kEtULjwMKYQ/s200/14381611453_25f9816682_o.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 16.8667px;">Often in our off trail adventures, we come across many examples of the great bounty that nature provides and with a group of young preteens after school, food is never far from our minds. Wild grapes, choke cherries, beaked hazelnuts, hawthorn haws, apples, wild leeks, and the sap of sugar maples have all played an integral part in our gastrological education. We taste the seasons as they come and go; grazing on grapes and roasting apples in the fall, boiling sap and "taking leeks" in the late winter/early spring. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 16.8667px;"><br /></span></span>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HvPLybJA0ck/VqfBl0fTSUI/AAAAAAAAEq8/fOH1KK3rhU0/s1600/Grill%2BMaster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HvPLybJA0ck/VqfBl0fTSUI/AAAAAAAAEq8/fOH1KK3rhU0/s200/Grill%2BMaster.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 16.8667px;">Every semester has its culminating feast. In the fall we cook a Thanksgiving dinner which we have dubbed "Trekkers-giving". Everyone brings something that can be cooked over the fire. This past year, we have made a critical addition to our Trekkers' community. His name is Hansel the Griddle. Hansel is a flat piece of slate that one of our Trekkers found over the summer and thoroughly dried out to avoid cracking when exposed to direct heat. A special nook was carved out in our fire pit for Hansel to preside over, where we can keep him warm by raking hot coals underneath. He is often lathered in melted butter and fed delicious sliced apples and pancake batter. He has become an integral member of our gang and allowed us to truly expand our culinary horizons.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2TNNPpokxY4/VqfBdIWz1YI/AAAAAAAAEo0/EpxjYNah7YE/s1600/14174954187_628850bf5f_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2TNNPpokxY4/VqfBdIWz1YI/AAAAAAAAEo0/EpxjYNah7YE/s200/14174954187_628850bf5f_o.jpg" width="154" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EFIbhfnZd2o/Vrz_HttVjDI/AAAAAAAAE3Y/WKayiETpGWQ/s1600/14360559724_b317899c55_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EFIbhfnZd2o/Vrz_HttVjDI/AAAAAAAAE3Y/WKayiETpGWQ/s200/14360559724_b317899c55_o.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 16.8667px;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 16.8667px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 16.8667px;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 16.8667px;">March is time for sugaring. Cutting firewood, carving staghorn sumac branches into spiles, tapping trees and collecting sap, the Trekkers do all of the work themselves. Using a pot suspended over the campfire with a tripod of three alder trunks lashed together, last year we boiled down enough sap to produce 3/4 gallon of maple syrup. This syrup served as the fuel for our most anticipated feast of the year... the annual Trekkers pancake banquet. Pancakes are fried up in small camping pans over the fire. Apples and bread are roasted on sticks, then topped with a drizzling of fresh maple syrup. Just when you think it couldn't get any better, someone breaks out the Italian sausages. They are boiled in a pot of maple sap, then skewered and held over the flame to caramelize the sugars from the sap. The result is a juicy mouthful of meaty mapley goodness that will be forever etched into you taste buds. The food is truly delicious, but the most important spice used in any of our feasts is the weeks of work put into the preparing of the meal, starting with the first cut of firewood.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2TNNPpokxY4/VqfBdIWz1YI/AAAAAAAAEo0/EpxjYNah7YE/s1600/14174954187_628850bf5f_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 16.8667px;"></span></span><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_dKXTvUgCv4/VqfBdtXTmjI/AAAAAAAAEo8/eh40B6DrEPg/s1600/14174959707_c6811e3acd_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_dKXTvUgCv4/VqfBdtXTmjI/AAAAAAAAEo8/eh40B6DrEPg/s200/14174959707_c6811e3acd_o.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 16.8667px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 16.8667px;">So why do we do all of this? What we are really doing is creating memories. T</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 16.8667px;">hese memories will be even stronger and longer lasting having been formed within a community of peers</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 16.8667px;"> - friends growing up together, romping in the forest. </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 16.8667px;">The groundwork for nostalgia is being laid here. When these kids are grown and have children of their own, they will look back upon this time spent in the woods and want to recreate it for them; passing down a love for the outdoors from one generation to the next. This is how we create a culture that appreciates and protects natural places... and it all starts with a little goofing off in the woods.</span></span></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07697666889954129371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010383221763857611.post-33971885177893010192016-02-02T11:21:00.000-08:002016-02-02T11:21:26.462-08:00Touch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">If children play to change, then could there be a better companion than snow for this journey? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"> It falls, melts, freezes, hardens, disappears...Snow, in its bittersweet ephemerality, in its malleable, movable nature, transforms the world outdoors into one giant sandbox. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">The senses of smell, sound, taste, even sight are diminished in winter as normally fertile nature is buried in insulating white. But touch. Touch reigns and the children of Winter Whispers are taking full advantage of winter’s tactility. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Padded in many layers of protective clothing, the children roll and slide and shovel and build. Icy wind nips cheeks and noses, but core temperatures are warm and the outside world is their oyster. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Snow. Catch it if you can.</span></div>
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</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14362163306789062858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010383221763857611.post-63283959829866074132015-12-19T21:11:00.000-08:002016-10-22T21:11:30.057-07:00Plainfield Christmas Bird Count - Results<div>
Date: 12/19/2015</div>
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Temperature: 22F / 35F</div>
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Number of Participants: 42</div>
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<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 249px;">
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 5664; mso-width-source: userset; width: 133pt;" width="177"></col>
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<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt; width: 133pt;" width="177">Canada Goose</td>
<td align="right" style="width: 54pt;" width="72">491</td>
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<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Mallard</td>
<td align="right">16</td>
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<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><b>Canvasback</b></td>
<td align="right"><b>1</b></td>
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<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><b>Ring-necked Duck</b></td>
<td align="right"><b>3</b></td>
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<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><b>Lesser Scaup</b></td>
<td align="right"><b>2</b></td>
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<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Hooded Merganser</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
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<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Common Merganser</td>
<td align="right">7</td>
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<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Ruffed Grouse</td>
<td align="right">13</td>
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<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Wild Turkey</td>
<td align="right">210</td>
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<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Cooper's Hawk</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
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<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Bald Eagle</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
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<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Red-tailed Hawk</td>
<td align="right">7</td>
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<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Ring-billed Gull</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
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<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Rock Pigeon</td>
<td align="right">266</td>
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<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Mourning Dove</td>
<td align="right">118</td>
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<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Barred Owl</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
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<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Red-bellied Woodpecker</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
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<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Downy Woodpecker</td>
<td align="right">38</td>
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<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Hairy Woodpecker</td>
<td align="right">29</td>
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<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Pileated Woodpecker</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
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<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Northern Shrike</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
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<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Blue Jay</td>
<td align="right">189</td>
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<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">American Crow</td>
<td align="right">1751</td>
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<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Common Raven</td>
<td align="right">56</td>
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<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Black-capped Chickadee</td>
<td align="right">965</td>
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<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Tufted Titmouse</td>
<td align="right">31</td>
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<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Red-breasted Nuthatch</td>
<td align="right">66</td>
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<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">White-breasted Nuthatch</td>
<td align="right">65</td>
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<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Brown Creeper</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
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<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Carolina Wren</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Golden-crowned Kinglet</td>
<td align="right">12</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">American Robin</td>
<td align="right">36</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">European Starling</td>
<td align="right">418</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Cedar Waxwing</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">American Tree Sparrow</td>
<td align="right">27</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Dark-eyed Junco</td>
<td align="right">123</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">White-throated Sparrow</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Northern Cardinal</td>
<td align="right">42</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Brown-headed Cowbird</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">House Finch</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Purple Finch</td>
<td align="right">252</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Pine Siskin</td>
<td align="right">85</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">American Goldfinch</td>
<td align="right">479</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Evening Grosbeak</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">House Sparrow</td>
<td align="right">147</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Larry Clarfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12331350277273086026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010383221763857611.post-7948953808367614642015-12-11T11:10:00.001-08:002015-12-11T11:10:26.613-08:00Dinosaurs at NBNC<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Heart thumping, legs stretching, a forest preschooler slides
into the den between two trees at deer camp, narrowly escaping a friend in
pursuit. Safe…for now. The fox stalks outside, sniffing, searching,
but the mouse is out of sight.</div>
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At Forest Preschool
this fall many engaging games emerged around the predator/prey
relationship. Camouflage, in particular,
was a favorite activity on our morning walk through the meadow. Some days the children became coyotes and
rabbits; other days they transformed into hawks and mice or into a flock of
hungry crows in a farmer’s field. The
children invented multiple scenarios and never tired of sneaking and hiding and
being chased. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Along with the
familiar Vermont animals, there was another creature that accompanied us on our
journeys: this one larger and hungrier than all the others. Dinosaurs metamorphosed almost daily out of
predator or prey; a hunted mouse could easily transform before our eyes into a
fearsome t-rex that then became the hunter.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vXT66H9lEgM/VmGNzWSKPyI/AAAAAAAAAPA/hy1gI-nsvgQ/s1600/IMG_20150915_110823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vXT66H9lEgM/VmGNzWSKPyI/AAAAAAAAAPA/hy1gI-nsvgQ/s320/IMG_20150915_110823.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Excited to explore the activities and habits of the animals
that actually share our home with us, I initially resisted the persistent
appearance of this bygone reptile in our adventures. What do dinosaurs have to do with where we
are right now, I wondered? So I kept
watching and I began to understand that the dinosaurs are very much a part of
the ecology at NBNC, that is, the inner ecology of the children who play
here. Dinosaurs are the allies of young
children who, due to their size and age, inherently face new situations that
can be scary and challenging on a regular basis. As growing, developing human beings, children
desire and need to take risks…healthy risks.
And that is where the dinosaurs come in.
T-rex’s are fearsome creatures but unlike wolves and bears (or zombies),
they are undeniably extinct and therefore, safe. There is no chance of bumping into a
stegosaurus in the goldenrod. The only
thing that gives it life is imagination and the children are fully in charge of
that. Healthy risk – climbing trees,
sliding down hills, balancing on logs – can be scary, but like the dinosaurs,
just scary enough…for growth and learning. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XlnS2vWUt5A/VmB_UPeMpWI/AAAAAAAAAOs/bSyv5T_3v1E/s1600/IMG_20151023_113013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XlnS2vWUt5A/VmB_UPeMpWI/AAAAAAAAAOs/bSyv5T_3v1E/s320/IMG_20151023_113013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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At Forest Preschool, the children learn to calculate and navigate
manageable risk in their play. As their
teachers it is our job to enable that stretching process and ensure their
safety. It is through their own
self-chosen exploration that they will develop the resilience and self-reliance
so important to life.</div>
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Learning is exciting. And risky. And the dinosaurs are there to help.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14362163306789062858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010383221763857611.post-86248986638322791952015-12-02T08:41:00.004-08:002015-12-03T06:33:38.715-08:00Warmth: is it learned or instinctual?In first grade at ECO, foundations for surviving winter are essential. Beyond learning how to layer our bodies in warm clothing and boots, we discover countless ways to stay warm in the woods. We use our internal fire to share a song and warm ourselves by the communal fire. We gather together and notice one another in the light of the fire's warmth.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
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We use the fire's alchemy to roast apple quarters, warm our salt dough sculptures and make popcorn.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BR-LB39ByJ4/VmBRpJwRAxI/AAAAAAAAD4Y/y9tYtyv7Pio/s1600/salt%2Bdough%2Bfire.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BR-LB39ByJ4/VmBRpJwRAxI/AAAAAAAAD4Y/y9tYtyv7Pio/s320/salt%2Bdough%2Bfire.jpeg" width="238" /></a></div>
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While some of us sit by the fire to warm our bodies, others self-organize when invited to build a fort in the woods. These children relocate hefty tree trunks as material for the base of their fort. Among cries of excitement, we hear, "Okay, everyone drop it!" and "Go find another one!". Leaders emerge as loud voices are welcomed in this heavy duty labor of the vast forest. This instinct to move wood not only warms the body, it establishes a pattern for future woodchuck-ing, or preparing the woodpile for winter. Warmth: is it learned or is it instinctual?<br />
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<br />
There are many important ways to warm oneself during the seasonal dark of winter in Vermont!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04740228858311126774noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010383221763857611.post-32139489728393530202015-11-24T10:49:00.000-08:002015-11-24T10:49:00.908-08:00Stone SoupOn a Tuesday and Thursday morning at Forest Preschool two weeks ago, water and a stone were settled into a suspended pot and a fire was lit below. Then, the story of Stone Soup, an old folk story about cooperation, was told. Forest Preschool is a place where cooperation grows. The fields and forest lend themselves beautifully to the many possibilities and benefits of cooperation. Cooking outdoors over a fire is no exception.<br />
<br />
And so, on a November morning, children brought in vegetables from home and made a meal together. With some special stone magic, they learned about cooperation and tasted the outcome of their combined contributions. "We're going to cook soup outside?" asked a child. Yes, we are and we're going to do it together.<br />
<br />
Forest Preschool is also a place that embraces fire as a teaching tool. Fire warms us in the woods when we're greeted by chilly autumn mornings. It is also a necessary ingredient for cooking stone soup.<br />
<br />
Once water was put on to boil, an outdoor kitchen was assembled and the chopping of vegetables ensued. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qv5qnRrzG8w/VlNLXZjf2WI/AAAAAAAAAjI/RaoAUGg_jVY/s1600/IMG_20151112_102111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qv5qnRrzG8w/VlNLXZjf2WI/AAAAAAAAAjI/RaoAUGg_jVY/s320/IMG_20151112_102111.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Listening to the story of Stone Soup as water and stone came to a boil in the pot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NENijTMomKU/VlNLihbowkI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/hiBENibudxc/s1600/IMG_20151112_104446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NENijTMomKU/VlNLihbowkI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/hiBENibudxc/s320/IMG_20151112_104446.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The outdoor kitchen. They could have chopped all day! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rC9R7tKl3Z4/VlNLogvpZsI/AAAAAAAAAjU/G6j5UlASiaw/s1600/IMG_20151110_104112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rC9R7tKl3Z4/VlNLogvpZsI/AAAAAAAAAjU/G6j5UlASiaw/s320/IMG_20151110_104112.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"What can I chop now?"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Many children were very interested in chopping and preparing the vegetables. Others played in the mud kitchen or engaged in imaginary animal play in the woods. Those interested in becoming a chef used preschool appropriate cutting tools. Some were forlorn when we exhausted our cutting opportunities. Excitement flowed again, though, when it was time to add the cooperatively prepared veggies to the pot.<br /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ece9ZqcH1RQ/VlNLwaHPFlI/AAAAAAAAAjc/pc4jxkqy9hw/s1600/IMG_20151110_104337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ece9ZqcH1RQ/VlNLwaHPFlI/AAAAAAAAAjc/pc4jxkqy9hw/s320/IMG_20151110_104337.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Look at my potato!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r8IgMw2jpUI/VlNL7xIKSPI/AAAAAAAAAjk/UBatDiu5dvA/s1600/IMG_20151110_110727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r8IgMw2jpUI/VlNL7xIKSPI/AAAAAAAAAjk/UBatDiu5dvA/s320/IMG_20151110_110727.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is the soup ready yet?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LZvZjoNf2uI/VlNMClyAcZI/AAAAAAAAAjs/r-188NvxqNE/s1600/IMG_20151112_111207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LZvZjoNf2uI/VlNMClyAcZI/AAAAAAAAAjs/r-188NvxqNE/s320/IMG_20151112_111207.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While the pot boiled, some children used the compost from veggie prep to create another version of stone soup, complete with mud and pine needles.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aw-xAWpdVSE/VlNMIQTGtoI/AAAAAAAAAj0/k1C0Y4aL3gc/s1600/IMG_20151112_111645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aw-xAWpdVSE/VlNMIQTGtoI/AAAAAAAAAj0/k1C0Y4aL3gc/s320/IMG_20151112_111645.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost ready!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tP33h7dU4uQ/VlNMNIFOXPI/AAAAAAAAAj8/WU10nqUTgz4/s1600/IMG_20151112_113303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tP33h7dU4uQ/VlNMNIFOXPI/AAAAAAAAAj8/WU10nqUTgz4/s320/IMG_20151112_113303.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at the colors!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7PK5hSm2n_8/VlNMUVynJUI/AAAAAAAAAkE/T5XsNPT_Sb8/s1600/IMG_20151110_113821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7PK5hSm2n_8/VlNMUVynJUI/AAAAAAAAAkE/T5XsNPT_Sb8/s320/IMG_20151110_113821.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soup is served!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f3DBTogHlMI/VlNMfdBn_FI/AAAAAAAAAkM/SCMkRK6m_ds/s1600/IMG_20151110_114140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f3DBTogHlMI/VlNMfdBn_FI/AAAAAAAAAkM/SCMkRK6m_ds/s320/IMG_20151110_114140.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the fruits of our labor. "Stone soup is good!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Nearly every child ate the soup we made together and many asked for seconds. Food that you help prepare seems to taste extra good, especially food that is made over a fire outside, together. <div>
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Enjoy the food that you make or is made on Thanksgiving! There is so much to be thankful for this fall!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Mary Zentarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06498004396902060971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010383221763857611.post-56752847955155236192015-11-17T19:03:00.000-08:002015-11-17T19:08:38.747-08:00A Parent's Perspective<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A letter Cassie Bickford, a parent and proud ECO supporter in Marshfield, wrote in support of a grant for ECO: </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;">
</b><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Three years ago the ECO program was introduced to the students at Twinfield Union School and at first the program seemed unusual and daunting. My first thoughts were about exposing children to the cold as it began in late fall and some days were frightfully chilly. I fretted just as much about how to keep their soup warm as I did their bodies. The packing list for warm clothes seemed just as overwhelming to remember as to afford for a family with multiple children participating. The program immediately proved itself worthy of the cost and fret. </span></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;">
</b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The first day of ECO, my youngest participating child came home so excited that he could hardly sequence his thoughts in a fashion in which we could understand them. Luckily, the glow on his face spoke louder than his jumbled thoughts. The next oldest told me exciting things he was able to learn and that soon they would be learning to build a fire. My oldest had similar tales and the same glow shining through.</span></b></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OjD4PVU0icM/VkvqExBc4PI/AAAAAAAABg0/QVTV_o-ksYE/s1600/Copy%2Bof%2BWyatt%2Band%2BCrayfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OjD4PVU0icM/VkvqExBc4PI/AAAAAAAABg0/QVTV_o-ksYE/s320/Copy%2Bof%2BWyatt%2Band%2BCrayfish.jpg" width="240" /></a></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I fully support the ECO program at Twinfield. The children have learned many things, although I assure you they do not see it as learning but more as a fun exploration. Over the past two years my children have taught me many things about the animals around us, the vegetation around us, what is edible in the woods, and which plants you can make tea out of. In fact, the youngest says his favorite part, next to catching his own “claw-fish” (a crayfish) with his bare hands (see photo above), is making pine needle tea. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">When my second oldest is asked his favorite thing about ECO he says “everything, but especially the warm fires and building structures”. My oldest was not participating last year due to her grade level and expressed a longing for the program. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Not once have my children complained that it was too cold or their soup not warm enough, they are having too much fun to have noticed either way.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></div>
</b><br />Liza Earle-Centershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08634748181030836131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010383221763857611.post-36925855345490619872015-11-11T08:52:00.002-08:002015-11-11T08:52:11.375-08:00Ways of Learning: it's all about the Questions!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Whenever a class goes out into the forest for an ECO day, our goal is to learn about the natural world around us. There are different focuses, of course, and during this session with an East Montpelier 2nd/3rd grade class, the focus was to learn about decomposers. The classroom teacher and the ECO teacher share teaching responsibilities and and here is the classroom teacher reading <u>A Log's Life.</u> </div>
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This book demonstrated how different animals, insects, fungus, and weather all work together to decay logs in the forest. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mrs. Fitch's class at rapt attention.</td></tr>
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Singing can be a powerful teaching tool for all ages, so we used a roiling, fun song about decomposers to extend the learning from the book. Check out the lyrics and a recording for "Decomposers" <a href="http://wiki.islandwood.org/index.php?title=Decomposers_Song" target="_blank">here</a>. All of this: the reading, the conversation, the song, was to get us primed for looking for decay happening in our small square of woods. The class divided into partners and each small group scoped out their own tree for signs of decomposition in action. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A student investigating an interesting fungus at her log.</td></tr>
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Part of the objective of the decay investigations was for students to observe logs, and the other part was to ask questions. Check out the spontaneous questioning that this student, pictured above, remarked: "I wonder what this is. Wow, it's sticky! Can we bring it to the group so they can see it?" <br />
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Then, as she pulled some bark off and noticed something that looked like dirt she said, "Hey, is this the dirt that decomposers make?" Good questions!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pair of students recording observations at their log. </td></tr>
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When checking out their specimen, these two students found that one of the branches was springy. "Hey, this is like a trampoline!" This playful exploration showed them that the log must be older, as newer logs would have more brittle branches that would snap under pressure. <br /><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sticks can be tools to help feel the "squishyness" of the log.</td></tr>
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When the teacher asked this student and her partner what they were doing, one replied, "We're just banging around looking for insects. Basically, we're helping the tree decay." Nice observation!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One team's scientific drawing of their log specimen. </td></tr>
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The hands-on investigation of the log was a vital part of the learning. When kids literally get their hands dirty and use their senses to learn about the world around them, studies show that they are more likely to retain the information they learned. So when children felt the give of a tree with their thumbnail or the sliminess of a fungus, that will prompt memories and hopefully questions of what else to learn. Check out this list of questions that the class generated after their time investigating the logs:</div>
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I wonder how fungi grows?</div>
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How does a free fall naturally?</div>
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How do mushrooms feel?</div>
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What is this bug?</div>
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What are these eggs?</div>
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What is this white stuff?</div>
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Where does wood come from?</div>
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How did trees first grow if there was nothing to make them?</div>
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How long have these logs on the ground?</div>
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How do these kings get these stuff in them?</div>
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What happens to all these leaves on the ground?</div>
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How do leaves get holes in them?</div>
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Why do down trees not have leaves in the winter and some do?</div>
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How did animals first exist?</div>
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This is an impressive list of questions and really shows the curiosity and wonder of these students. We could have gone on for a long time with the questions, but we had to stop due to time constraints. It is these questions that drive learning and when children get to follow their own curiosities, that is where real learning happens. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17941367135463134020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010383221763857611.post-25888368868988622642015-11-03T07:29:00.000-08:002015-11-03T07:29:08.485-08:00A New Path in the Forest Children in central Vermont schools have had many ECO outings at this point in the school year. The routines of getting dressed and backpacks packed with snack, water and scientific journals are established. The children are now familiar with what it looks and sounds like when we get to the open field at the edge of the forest. We stop. We listen with deer ears. We smell with our bear nose.<br />
"Did you hear that bird?"<br />
"I hear cars."<br />
"What's that I smell? Is it wood smoke?"<br />
"I smell winter coming."<br />
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Kindergartners and 1st graders at Northfield Elementary and Twinfield Elementary enter the forest and know exactly where to go.<br />
"Base camp is this way!"<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northfield Elementary </td></tr>
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Follow the path covered in White Pine needles. Go up the hill through an old apple orchard. When they arrive, they hang up backpacks on The Backpack Tree. These students have been building a working memory of the natural landscape around their school. They walk the same way to their ECO base camps every week, yet as the seasons shift so intensely here in Vermont from autumn, to stick season, to winter, there is much to observe and inquire about along the way. The five senses are totally engaged in this simple routine of moving through the forest and thus creating new neural pathways. Simply put, the students leave the worn path of the school hallways and step foot on ground they have never been on before. Each week the new path to the forest gets more defined and clear. Students pick up on other animals that travel these trails and the changes along the way.<br />
"Look at this deer print! The deer are traveling to our camp!"<br />
"This puddle wasn't here last week! Do you the water in the creek?"<br />
"It's sad. The leaves have no color. Now they are brown on the ground."<br />
"I think the wasps won't be on the apples this week,..it's too cold,..but we should still be quiet."<br />
The forest welcomes them, but asks that what they find they leave there. Every time we go back to the forest, the students are strengthening their knowledge of place. This new place is full of learning and discovery and it's very exciting!<br />
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In October we experimented with creating our own forest recipes. We asked the students, what does it take to make a healthy forest? Trees, dirt, sticks, leaves, rocks!<br />
Then we asked about the animals. Do animals live in this forest? What do they need? Food, water, shelter!<br />
Children were soon off gathering ingredients to make a forest recipe. With the guidelines of not collecting living things, children searched for water, collected the tiny seeds from pine cones and dug into rotting logs. They also wondered if they could gather the sun and some oxygen,..can we do that?!<br />
In small groups children opened up their own forest kitchens equipped with bowls, measuring cups, spoons, spatulas and of course muffin tins! Errands were being run back and forth across the forest and with that new pathways were being formed. More questions were asked and more discoveries made.<br />
"Water! Water! We found water! We need it for our forest!"<br />
Gathering the water became a whole group task with problem solving around how to transport the water back to the kitchen. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carrying water very carefully</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soil and water make MUD! Cupcakes? </td></tr>
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Children easily transitioned from a concrete lesson to producing an imaginary forest laboratory with their minds set on preparing for a larger feast. In preparing for this feast you can hear the children using scientific language and applying new methods of learning. They are experiencing cause and effect based on their own curiosities and fascinations. Concoctions? Potions? This is where science and art blend together, beautiful! In the forest kitchen children are:<br />
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cooking</div>
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classifying</div>
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testing</div>
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mixing</div>
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measuring</div>
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naming</div>
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sorting</div>
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negotiating</div>
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communicating</div>
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cooperating</div>
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labeling</div>
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transforming</div>
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observing</div>
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questioning</div>
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TOTALLY ENGAGED</div>
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We continue to follow the paths the children create in the forest. The path to wonder and inquiry. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forest Soup</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Examples of the forest, different RECIPES! </td></tr>
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<br />amy butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04953385561248564161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010383221763857611.post-92228703781109420922015-10-30T12:50:00.000-07:002015-10-30T12:50:44.789-07:00Watershed Wizards At Work<div class="MsoNormal">
Twinfield third and fourth graders are exploring the
patterns of Earth’s features by
transforming themselves into watershed wizards. Building upon pre-ECO classroom explorations
of landforms, we've ventured out into the autumn woods to investigate the lumps and bumps that form the diverse Vermont landscape. Our challenge has been to design mini-watershed models
using natural objects and shower curtains and answer the question of "Where does the water go? What does it carry with it?". </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">The landforms we included are the Green Mountains here, over there is the Lake Champlain Basin. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">Where do YOU think the water will flow? What natural and man-made things should we experiment with to see if our theories are correct? </span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yIHEb8LHRkY/VjOxTUJR0AI/AAAAAAAAABs/ritStoIqwwo/s1600/Pouring%2Bwater%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yIHEb8LHRkY/VjOxTUJR0AI/AAAAAAAAABs/ritStoIqwwo/s320/Pouring%2Bwater%2B2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">And now for the rain storm---where DOES the water go?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3OTqhjDnzhQ/VjJnEOTeCYI/AAAAAAAAABM/xSLm6I0UbsU/s1600/Watershed%2Bmodels%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3OTqhjDnzhQ/VjJnEOTeCYI/AAAAAAAAABM/xSLm6I0UbsU/s400/Watershed%2Bmodels%2B1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That is NOT what we thought would happen! Look out!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kQbCqD6d3Qg/VjFAs0UTbuI/AAAAAAAAAAo/IhZV1LLfFFk/s1600/Photo%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kQbCqD6d3Qg/VjFAs0UTbuI/AAAAAAAAAAo/IhZV1LLfFFk/s320/Photo%2B1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marvelous mud! Where do you think the water that made this mud will flow as it leaves our campsite? </td></tr>
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Welcome is moon upon water<br />
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Welcome is a warm shower, clean clothes, delicious soup</div>
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Welcome is the dragonfly on water</div>
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Welcome is water to our crops, thirsty trees, and dry throats</div>
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Welcome are ducks on water, fish in water, birds above water</div>
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Welcome is a day by the lake, river, or ocean</div>
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Thank you to water as it flows across our watersheds and landscapes! </div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010383221763857611.post-15850155440982593872015-10-15T19:08:00.000-07:002016-08-19T16:46:36.947-07:00Dirt Time; A Photo JournalAsk any Forest Preschooler what they think about being outside and getting dirty and it's quite likely you'll hear rave reviews. In fact, one child came up to me one day half covered in mud from the mud kitchen and exuberantly shared, "Look at my mud!"<br />
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As the landscape transforms, we at Forest Preschool will be experiencing a sensory feast this fall, mucking about immersed in nature, and joyfully learning along the way! Harvesting, sorting, excavating, cooking, climbing, constructing, crushing, and creating are some of the things we'll be inspired to do in our outdoor classroom when the fall session begins on August 30th.<br />
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Get inspired yourself and enjoy the following photo journal of Forest Preschool "dirt time" last fall!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ATbvn2c3488/ViBEexv1UeI/AAAAAAAAAhw/aNBVoAaI1DE/s1600/tea%2Btime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ATbvn2c3488/ViBEexv1UeI/AAAAAAAAAhw/aNBVoAaI1DE/s320/tea%2Btime.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's autumn and seeds are everywhere! As an end cap to a morning exploring the world of seeds and how they disperse, we treated ourselves to a Staghorn sumac tea party beside the North Branch. After harvesting sumac nearby, discovering seeds inside the fuzzy fruit, we made tea using a Kelly Kettle and then enjoyed the fruits of our labor on a gorgeous October morning.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8LJuUkzqb0w/ViBZNvprx8I/AAAAAAAAAis/9RCckDhg0w8/s1600/excavating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8LJuUkzqb0w/ViBZNvprx8I/AAAAAAAAAis/9RCckDhg0w8/s320/excavating.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Excavating at Mud Kitchen before the rains came.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EyGs1PRHAvo/ViBYzOqpV-I/AAAAAAAAAik/mhO7BOiOyrU/s1600/mud%2Bkitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EyGs1PRHAvo/ViBYzOqpV-I/AAAAAAAAAik/mhO7BOiOyrU/s320/mud%2Bkitchen.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Exploration at Mud Kitchen after a rain. "It's a mud flood!" one Forest Preschooler declared!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lmzq1Rw0TAw/ViA_9L9fcyI/AAAAAAAAAgE/3ArSIl6EFYg/s1600/apple%2Bharvest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lmzq1Rw0TAw/ViA_9L9fcyI/AAAAAAAAAgE/3ArSIl6EFYg/s320/apple%2Bharvest.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's a great apple year! Harvesting, snacking on, and grating apples to make apple salad at Deer Camp has been a highlight.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hard to beat eating an apple while sitting in an apple tree!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pT_0I6v_Pco/ViBAqNdOaoI/AAAAAAAAAgU/JTiq1mamSnw/s1600/grinding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pT_0I6v_Pco/ViBAqNdOaoI/AAAAAAAAAgU/JTiq1mamSnw/s320/grinding.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Grinding wheat berries into flour to make bread dough for roasting later in the morning. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Roasting apples and bread on a stick over the fire at Deer Camp.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yJitdrC52OU/ViBA3JYpBjI/AAAAAAAAAgk/Y508sZEpHcE/s1600/acorns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yJitdrC52OU/ViBA3JYpBjI/AAAAAAAAAgk/Y508sZEpHcE/s320/acorns.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Discovering what's inside of an acorn and sorting nut "meat" from the shells. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YPSsqvKx9Xw/ViBT180T6wI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/MkEJ0zGY5LY/s1600/children%2527s%2Bhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YPSsqvKx9Xw/ViBT180T6wI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/MkEJ0zGY5LY/s320/children%2527s%2Bhouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The "children's house" or "beaver lodge" cooperatively built and played in for many days.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pSTLO47fYXI/ViBBBBl3tbI/AAAAAAAAAg0/qPCq34fAui0/s1600/fishing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pSTLO47fYXI/ViBBBBl3tbI/AAAAAAAAAg0/qPCq34fAui0/s320/fishing.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fishing! We love rainy days and puddles at FPS!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rain art using chalk on a wet block of wood.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z84xS7cRJaQ/ViBBa000NTI/AAAAAAAAAhE/6ttGwaQoyQs/s1600/grape%2Bink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z84xS7cRJaQ/ViBBa000NTI/AAAAAAAAAhE/6ttGwaQoyQs/s320/grape%2Bink.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Painting with natural ink made by crushing grapes that were harvested at Deer Camp.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xYDq8QBrsU0/ViBDFuv9GHI/AAAAAAAAAhY/eLI6a5_dNLc/s1600/balance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xYDq8QBrsU0/ViBDFuv9GHI/AAAAAAAAAhY/eLI6a5_dNLc/s320/balance.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The tightrope walker!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_jl_IEIQvBw/ViBUTSTpOZI/AAAAAAAAAiY/vAj0O4vXbCo/s1600/paddling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_jl_IEIQvBw/ViBUTSTpOZI/AAAAAAAAAiY/vAj0O4vXbCo/s320/paddling.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Paddling a "long canoe" to "an island" at Deer Camp and snacking on a wild harvested apple </span><span style="font-size: small;">to refuel along the way!</span></td></tr>
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And so, onward we paddle, towards an unfolding story at Forest Preschool that tells of vivid imagination, growth, child centered learning, a sense of agency, connection, and dirt.<br />
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Mary Zentarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06498004396902060971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010383221763857611.post-59794187142415605272015-10-14T11:10:00.004-07:002015-10-14T11:10:24.770-07:00"I notice" and "I wonder" discoveries<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Today, students look closely at medicinal herbs. They draw, describe and name a plant based on
its physical attributes. Students craft questions that begin with “I wonder”
or “I notice”. On this mid-autumn day we
<i>release</i> the assumption that <i>knowing
facts</i> is more important than <i>noticing
qualities</i>. We are scientific observers of our woodland ECO
camp.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Students explore and observe calendula flowers I brought from my garden. One student spends the better part of a half hour sketching the layers of the flower it with a pencil. She has discovered the serrated edges, the layering of ring after ring of petals. She draws what she sees in this moment with care and attention.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Another student stops at a stand of seeding sunflowers. </span><div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> “Wait, does this sunflower actually create sunflower seeds?” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">She proceeds to dissect it and find dark black sunflower seeds just like the ones she eats from a grocery store Planters' brand bag. The seeds are tucked below the waning composite flowers of the seed head. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> “Wow! Can I, like, eat this? Can I take this back to share with my classmates?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Excitedly, she returns to her classmates with this discovery at our closing circle. </span><div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wi4ccZ1p5qw/Vh6UumxpQlI/AAAAAAAADZg/-1jOCuGteTA/s1600/IMG_1938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wi4ccZ1p5qw/Vh6UumxpQlI/AAAAAAAADZg/-1jOCuGteTA/s320/IMG_1938.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Today began with “I wonder” and ended with “I discovered!” Making a discovery is often accompanied by excitement which triggers specific neurotransmitter chemicals in the brain. These chemicals create a memory that lasts longer and is filed differently than fact recall memories, such as those we absorb from a lecture or read in a textbook. It takes a bit longer to discover the world around us than it does to absorb it from a lecture. ECO gives us the opportunity to take the time to wonder and notice in tribute to long lasting memories. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04740228858311126774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010383221763857611.post-88344783549605104242015-10-07T12:34:00.002-07:002015-10-07T12:34:30.272-07:00Spiders, and Crickets, and Grasshoppers, oh my!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-81tjtyzWIqQ/VhVvRy3xo5I/AAAAAAAABgk/J0mkpstkZC8/s1600/grass.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-81tjtyzWIqQ/VhVvRy3xo5I/AAAAAAAABgk/J0mkpstkZC8/s320/grass.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Last Friday I ventured out with Twinfield kindergarten teacher, Sharyn Baum, and her eager students for our first ECO outing of the year. The focus of our first outing is to get to know each other and our outdoor classroom, all while practicing the ECO routines and rhythms. <br />
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It was a pretty chilly morning, so we were happy to venture out of the shady woods of our base camp into "Milkweed Meadow" to continue our scavenger hunt. The field was alive, with students finding daddy longleg spiders, grasshoppers, and crickets with every step. We even found a pair of mating grasshoppers like the ones pictured above! <a href="https://naturallycuriouswithmaryholland.wordpress.com/category/grasshoppers-2/" target="_blank">(Photo credit: Mary Holland)</a> Don't worry--we gave them their privacy back after just a few minutes of checking them out in a jar. One child in particular found he had a real knack for catching grasshoppers. He caught three in about five minutes! He was beaming, having discovered a new-found talent and feeling a level of awe from his five year-old peers. <br />
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Moments like this, where children uncover parts of themselves that shine in the outdoor classroom, are why I love being an outdoor educator. During our inside circle time on the rug, this same child was 'wiggly' and had a hard time keeping hands to himself. Outside, these same attributes that were challenging inside, were assets that helped him excel in gaining a closer look at the natural world around him. Liza Earle-Centershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08634748181030836131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010383221763857611.post-50507072017175695062015-09-28T11:20:00.001-07:002015-09-28T11:20:34.651-07:00The Three Cares
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Now that it’s the end of September, I’ve started the ECO
program with the Waitsfield Kindergarten and East Montpelier 2nd/3rd grade joint class. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needless to say, the content of the lessons
and the social expectations between these two age groups is quite different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But in both of those classes, and in all of
the classrooms that the North Branch Nature Center staff teach the ECO program,
the “Three Cares” are shared and used.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>
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The “Three Cares” are a set of expectations for ECO students
in the forest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Showing care is the overarching
theme.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With ECO happening in seven schools around Central Vermont with different rules and
expectations for their students, it is helpful to have a unified way of
explaining how we ask students, teachers, and volunteers to be in the
woods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The "Cares" are simple, and profound,
and I often catch myself applying them to my relationships outside of the ECO realm. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take care of yourself:</b></div>
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During the morning circle, I always ask the group what the
three cares are and an example of what it looks like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are some of the common replies:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Drink water,” or “Wear warm clothes and
boots.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is a picture of three
kindergarteners taking care of themselves by eating snack and putting on warm
mittens on this cool autumn morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2. Take care of
others:</b></div>
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When asked what taking care of others looks like, children
respond, “Help a friend up if they trip,” “Zip up their backpack when they
can’t reach it,” “Get a teacher if someone is hurt.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never cease to be amazed at the empathy
elementary school students demonstrate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They understand how important it is to help their friends, and sometimes
need reminders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Don’t we all need
reminders to be kind sometimes?)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here,
one student helps another collect materials to help her friend build her Red
Eft Hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take care of the Earth:</b></div>
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Children as young as kindergarten understand to pick up
trash on the side of a trail or not to pick all of the leaves off of one fern
plant. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every time we go outside,
children have an opportunity to show care for the earth and deepen their
feelings of belonging in the natural communities around their school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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These three expectations set a tone of caring for the whole
time we are outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are simple and
basic, and powerfully profound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are wonderful reminders for everyone about living kindly and lightly on the Earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What does your child remember about “The Three Cares?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17941367135463134020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010383221763857611.post-61456308010580241492015-09-24T11:05:00.001-07:002015-09-24T11:05:22.645-07:00Working Together in the Woods<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
5th grade students at Main Street Middle School in Montpelier, have been participating in ECO longer than any other group of children. They were the first. Starting in Kindergarten, they have been using the green spaces of Montpelier as an extension of their classroom every other week, for going on 6 years. These kids are the ECO pros. So, this past Monday when I told them that they where going to do something that they have never done in ECO before, most were more than a little skeptical.</div>
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Unlike most other ECO schools, Union Elementary and Main Street Middle School don't have their own forest on school grounds. Instead, we have to walk a solid 25 minutes to access the woods of Hubbard Park. Since it is a public park, we must be considerate of other park users and follow the park's rules and guidelines. This means that creating permanent fire pits or building large firewood shelters that would stay up indefinitely (both hallmarks of your typical ECO base camp) would not be possible. Although these 5th grade students have been going out for ECO longer than anyone else, they have not had the experience of walking into a base camp that they have built themselves. So, not surprisingly, there was a wave of excitement when students learned that this year they will be selecting and building their own base camp. </div>
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Now, we did have to make accommodations and alterations to our typical idea of an ECO "base camp" in order for it to work in the public park setting. For instance, instead of a fire pit, we created a fire safety circle made of small logs that we can place a portable fire pit into, allowing us to have Leave No Trace fires. Also, to give our space a bit more of that camp feel, students decided to move large logs into a circle to serve as benches around our portable fire pit. This is where we would hold our morning meeting at the start of every ECO session, where we would eat our snacks and lunches, and where we would hold our debrief and closing circle at the end of every day. To the average passerby, this camp would be nothing more than a few logs laying on the ground in the forest. But to these students, it will be their ECO home.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m0wJ63lZQks/VgL00SIS7OI/AAAAAAAAB_U/Ec29HkfX5XQ/s1600/Log%2Bmoving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m0wJ63lZQks/VgL00SIS7OI/AAAAAAAAB_U/Ec29HkfX5XQ/s400/Log%2Bmoving.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5th grade students working together to lift a 20 foot log</td></tr>
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I was amazed at the tremendous teamwork that these students displayed in not only the building of their camp, but also in the site selection process. We split into two scouting parties, each covering a different section of the forest. As a class, they had created a list of criteria for a quality base camp site. It had to be relatively flat, have little vegetation that would be in danger of getting trampled, be large enough to fit the entire class comfortably, and be free of dead falls and widow makers. Each scouting party located at least one solid potential site, presented it to the other group, listing pros and cons of each space, and then voted on it as a class. Majority ruled and the campsite had been chosen, without hard feelings or argument.</div>
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Once the site had been selected, students immediately went to work clearing sticks and logs out of the central meeting area, and moving in larger logs for the benches. On young lady found a log approximately 20 feet in length and enlisted her seven of her friends in transporting the log to our circle of benches. When they realized that the log was far too long for the space, again they worked together in problem solving. After some brief deliberation, we decided to safely break the log by wedging it between two strong, living trees that were growing close together and pulling on it like a lever, creating a simple machine to do the hard work for us.</div>
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. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o9J0IaleQGU/VgL08vL_QXI/AAAAAAAAB_c/rnaT-0UFFO4/s1600/DSCN4106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o9J0IaleQGU/VgL08vL_QXI/AAAAAAAAB_c/rnaT-0UFFO4/s400/DSCN4106.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">1st and 2nd graders working together to pull down a hazardous tree in their base camp</td></tr>
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Similar teamwork was also on display at the ECO base camp at Moretown Elementary School. This time it was 1st and 2nd graders who were working together to make their base camp a safer place. Moretown is lucky enough to have the town forest located directly behind their school and have had an established base camp on top of the forested hill for several years. However, over those years, more and more trees have been dying back, beginning the decomposition process while still standing upright. While this may make for excellent woodpecker habitat, it becomes a serious hazard when a 30 foot dead spruce tree is standing right in the middle of base camp! So, with a climbing rope over 100 feet in length, and using a pully to wrap around a strong living tree for added leverage and increased safety, these young ECO students set out to make their camp a safer place for all. </div>
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First, a teacher inspected the tree to ensure that it would be safe to pull down and not run the risk of being hung up in another tree, thus creating another hazard. Then, the teacher tied a loop around the tree while the students watched from a safe distance. Once the rope was secure and fed through the pully, students took their position. After a countdown from ten, students pulled all together. The tree moved... but didn't come down. </div>
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We counted down again. Pulled. A little more movement... no timber. </div>
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We counted down one last time, this time deciding to pull back and forth, building momentum. </div>
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Pull, relax, pull, relax, pull, relax. </div>
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The tree cracked. </div>
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PULL! relax, PULL! relax, PULLLL!!! TIMBER!!! The tree was down and base camp became a safer place to learn.</div>
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Elsewhere in the ECO universe, teachers at Hyde Park Elementary were gearing up for their ECO year. There were three veteran ECO teachers and three teacher new to the program. To help bring everyone up to speed and on the same page, we held an adult ECO session for just the teachers. We went through the same core routines that they would be leading their students through, beginning with a team building challenge called "River Crossing." The object of this challenge is to get your team from once side of the "river" to the other. The catch is that there are only one pair of hip waders, and everyone can only use them twice. If you try to cross without using the waders, you drown and your team starts over. Oh, and you only have 5 minutes to come up with and execute your strategy, starting... now! I usually give students more time, but these were teachers. They could handle it. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PyD0MaaI25g/VgL1VyzLLaI/AAAAAAAAB_k/EccDrzzzdUo/s1600/20847797293_3bfdb4233f_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PyD0MaaI25g/VgL1VyzLLaI/AAAAAAAAB_k/EccDrzzzdUo/s320/20847797293_3bfdb4233f_o.jpg" width="180" /></a>As a team, they quickly decided that the best strategy would be for one person to carry another across, hand over the waders and send the carried person back to pick up the next team member. Repeat until everyone has safely crossed. It was a fairly simple challenge, but it put the teachers in the role of the student, active and engaged in the activity. This will be important as they go through the ECO year, engaging and learning alongside their students. </div>
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After a few more activities in the forest, we were rewarded with a special visitor. Again, we were all placed back into the role of the student, working and learning together with nature as our teacher.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07697666889954129371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010383221763857611.post-89816419628728033072015-08-31T11:18:00.001-07:002015-08-31T11:20:11.004-07:00Caterpillars of NBNC (part 5)As we prepare to turn the calendar page to September, the persisting heat reminds us that summer isn't over yet! September turns out to be a fantastic month for finding caterpillars. Below are some caterpillars to keep an eye out for this time of year:<br />
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The Yellow-shouldered Slug caterpillar is so strange, it would be easy to confuse it for some other sort of insect. While this species can blend quite well, others, like the <a href="https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6170/6164602240_3129364363.jpg">Spiny Oak Slug</a>, are vibrantly colored. September is one of the best months to search for these fascinating creatures!</div>
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Any remaining Mourning Cloak caterpillars will soon be spinning a chrysalises. As we approach the end of the month, adults will be far more common than caterpillars as this species overwinters as an adult butterfly.</div>
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Spotted Tussock Moth caterpillars are often easier to find than many other caterpillar species. Their long hairs are distasteful to predators, and hence they often feed out in the open.</div>
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This Virginia Creeper Sphinx, found last August near the NBNC Community Garden, fell victim to parasitic wasps. The white ovals on the caterpillar's back are the cocoons, out of which the wasps will soon hatch.</div>
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The Rusty Tussock Moth is native to Europe, but is now widespread in North America. Adult females are wingless.<br />
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See previous "Caterpillars of NBNC" posts:<br />
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://northbranchnaturecenter.blogspot.com/2011/09/caterpillars-of-nbnc-part-1.html">Caterpillars of NBNC (part 1)</a></li>
<li><a href="http://northbranchnaturecenter.blogspot.com/2011/09/caterpillars-of-nbnc-part-2.html">Caterpillars of NBNC (part 2)</a></li>
<li><a href="http://northbranchnaturecenter.blogspot.com/2013/08/caterpillars-of-nbnc-part-3.html">Caterpillars of NBNC (part 3)</a></li>
<li><a href="http://northbranchnaturecenter.blogspot.com/2013/09/caterpillars-of-nbnc-part-4.html">Caterpillars of NBNC (part 4)</a></li>
</ul>
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Larry Clarfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12331350277273086026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010383221763857611.post-66065412993871770292015-07-28T11:56:00.001-07:002015-07-29T04:14:05.697-07:00Bird Banding: Mid-season UpdateWhile this mid-season update comes more than 80% through the season, we had exciting news of a Tennessee Warbler banded this past Monday at the North Branch Nature Center that we couldn't wait to share. Tennessee Warblers breed in Vermont only in the Northeast Kingdom and are more common further north in the boreal forest. The individual we encountered was likely an early migrant, already on its way to central America. While our banding protocol is catered to study breeding birds at NBNC, it is not uncommon for us to encounter early migrants and other species that are dispersing from their breeding grounds towards the end of the banding season.<br />
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Also typical this time of year is an influx in hatch-year birds (those born during this current breeding season). Hatch-year birds drastically outnumbered adults during our most recent banding session. Another highlight of our morning on July 27th was our first Rose-breasted Grosbeak. We commonly hear this species during banding sessions but this first year male was still a big surprise.<br />
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This coming<b> Saturday, August 1st</b>, will be our final banding session of the year and we invite the public to come observe. Stop by anytime <b>between 6:30 and 11:00 a.m.</b> to get a behind the scenes glimpse of banding in action. We catch, measure and band a variety of songbirds to study their survivorship and reproductive success. A rare chance to see beautiful birds up close.<br />
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Full results from our July 27 banding session are below:<br />
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<li>Downy Woodpecker - 1</li>
<li>Traill's Flycatcher (most likely Alder) - 3</li>
<li>Eastern Phoebe - 1</li>
<li>Red-eyed Vireo - 2</li>
<li>Veery - 1</li>
<li>Gray Catbird - 5</li>
<li>Ovenbird - 1</li>
<li>Tennessee Warbler - 1</li>
<li>Common Yellowthroat - 7</li>
<li>American Redstart - 2</li>
<li>Chestnut-sided Warbler - 3</li>
<li>Cedar Waxwing - 1</li>
<li>Song Sparrow - 6</li>
<li>White-throated Sparrow - 1</li>
<li>Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 1</li>
</ul>
Larry Clarfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12331350277273086026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010383221763857611.post-91179421909252670382015-06-30T20:57:00.002-07:002015-06-30T21:01:05.272-07:00Pursuit of Happiness<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times;">Hooray for puddles!</span></td></tr>
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Earlier in the month, with the expanse of Lake Champlain and the blue, green rise of Adirondack Mountains as a backdrop, I sat among educators at the In Bloom Conference: Promising Practices in Nature-based Early Childhood Education. We joined together as a community passionate about young children learning and playing outside in preschool and kindergarten settings. </div>
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It was inspiring and validating to gather with others who collectively feel that playing and learning outside is not only good for young children but vitally important, especially as the average amount of time children in the US spend outdoors engaging in unstructured play is shrinking to a shocking level. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooking in the Mud Kitchen!</td></tr>
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Although outdoor styled preschools and kindergartens in Europe (often called Waldkindergartens) have been thriving and receiving government support since the 90’s, the concept is just now taking root in a broader fashion here in the US. Research in Europe illustrates the developmental, health, and academic benefits of outdoor play and learning in the early years. But to a child, learning and playing outdoors is just plain old fun!</div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">During the keynote address at the In Bloom Conference, Antioch professor David Sobel asked a poignant question; What happened to the joy of learning in school? He said he’d like to see US schools incorporate the following into their mission: Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.</span></div>
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I see children thriving outside - joyful and curious about the wonders in nature and using nature as a source of rich, imaginary play. Vermont is in bloom and so too is our Waldkindergarten styled Forest Preschool program at the North Branch Nature Center. Please enjoy taking a look at some of the many wondrous, curious, joyful moments at Forest Preschool this May. </div>
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Registration for the fall session of Forest Preschool is now open. Give the gift of nature and spread the word!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times;">Weaving on the loom at Deer Camp.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times;">Investigating slugs and snails.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times;">Oh yeah, mud!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times;">Making ink by crushing grass and clay brick.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times;">Joy!</span></td></tr>
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Mary Zentarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06498004396902060971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010383221763857611.post-20116238099152134062015-06-02T13:31:00.000-07:002015-06-04T11:17:54.064-07:00Nature Center Takes Flight<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13pt;"><b>North Branch Nature Center Launches $1.5 Million <br />Capital Campaign</b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dz72zzFIxjo/VW3waGVIaTI/AAAAAAAADSA/wrjbeMguiMk/s1600/NBNC%2Bnew%2Bbuilding%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dz72zzFIxjo/VW3waGVIaTI/AAAAAAAADSA/wrjbeMguiMk/s320/NBNC%2Bnew%2Bbuilding%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Among
the great birding activities at this year’s annual BirdFest on May 30, was a
special announcement and celebration of NBNC’s plans to raise $1.5 million to
build a new education and visitor center and advance our mission to connect
people of all ages with the natural world.</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />With $590,000 already raised during the quiet phase
of the campaign over the past year, we are enthusiastic about the huge demand
for the expansion and the strong desire on the part of Vermonters to make
nature a bigger part of their lives. </span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“A passion for wildlife and wild places is very
much a part of the Vermont ethic,” said NBNC Executive Director Chip Darmstadt.
“This expansion will help us bring our innovative blend of nature education and
experience to many more people — here in central Vermont and across the state.”</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />After
several years of planning and community input, we have developed a long-range
plan to expand and enhance our educational programs. Called “Our Future
in Nature,” the expansion has three major components:</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cPmnU3YWaoc/VW3wkcAc2RI/AAAAAAAADSI/0SUVCmhcbAc/s1600/NBNC%2Bnew%2Bbuilding%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cPmnU3YWaoc/VW3wkcAc2RI/AAAAAAAADSI/0SUVCmhcbAc/s200/NBNC%2Bnew%2Bbuilding%2B2.jpg" width="200" /></a>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">A new,
inviting Community Nature Center will offer much-needed space for
year-round children’s activities, a multi-purpose room capable of seating
75, and a teaching lab for naturalists and citizen scientists.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Eco-friendly
landscaping and design will enhance the outdoor experiences for visitors
who come to the preserve to walk, bike, ski, garden, learn, study or
simply relax along our gentle bend in the North Branch of the Winooski
River.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Renovations to
the existing 1800s farmhouse will improve its energy efficiency and
functionality. Utilizing solar energy, the new Community Nature
Center and farmhouse will become “net zero,” offsetting all fossil fuel
use.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“In a
world that more and more needs nature’s healing and restoration, North Branch
Nature Center is a treasure for all Vermonters,” said Tom Slayton, author and </span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Vermont Life </i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">magazine editor emeritus,
who serves on NBNC’s Honorary Campaign Committee.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">To
learn more about the Our Future in Nature capital campaign, call (802)
229-6206, email </span><a href="mailto:Campaign@NorthBranchNatureCenter.org" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Campaign@NorthBranchNatureCenter.org</span></a><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> or stop by in person at 713 Elm Street in
Montpelier.</span></div>
Larry Clarfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12331350277273086026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8010383221763857611.post-66496331712540723752015-05-27T18:57:00.004-07:002015-06-04T19:26:44.981-07:00A Lesson in Mud and Puddles<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mud Kitchen at Forest Preschool.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;">Squish, splat, plop! During mud season, I often grumble as I slog through thick, and sometimes greasy mud while </span><span style="font-size: 12px;">driving</span><span style="font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> along the back roads of central Vermont. My seven year old daughter, however, absolutely delights in squishing in the mud on our road </span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;">and stomping in puddles with booted feet, creating mud dams, and redirecting the flow of snow melt. As soon as the snow disappears and the swollen brook subsides, she and all the neighborhood kids spend countless hours in the “mud pot” located on the side of the brook in our village. They step in it, stir it, add water and interesting natural ingredients, make pies, make pottery, and the list goes on and on. At Forest Preschool this spring, mud and puddles were a main attraction. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VdIUFoK7pqA/VWYHJzPayKI/AAAAAAAAAcs/SJ8T7gujxK0/s1600/IMG_2270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VdIUFoK7pqA/VWYHJzPayKI/AAAAAAAAAcs/SJ8T7gujxK0/s320/IMG_2270.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times;">Making "eggs" to put in a "nest."</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;">A child to mud is much like a bear to honey. From a parental perspective, mud and puddles may be something to avoid but to a child, they are shear joy. The allure of playing in the mud, stomping in puddles, and getting covered in dirt is irresistible! Such play may seem like all fun and games but, actually, it’s much more than that.</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Mud and puddle play offers rich learning opportunities, ignites imaginations, and builds healthy immune systems. Children are innately drawn to explore the elements of the earth, learning how they behave and what can be done with them. Through mud and puddle play, children learn about cause and effect. They become scientists and artists as they explore and experiment with the chemistry of soil and water, the physics of pouring and the flow of water, and endless creative possibilities </span>that<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> mud and puddles offer.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oECbcwIGvPg/VWWsnPqq6ZI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/gt6qQWy4Jb8/s1600/mud%2Bpainting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oECbcwIGvPg/VWWsnPqq6ZI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/gt6qQWy4Jb8/s320/mud%2Bpainting.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times;">Painting with mud!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;">On the land at North Branch </span><span style="font-size: 12px;">Nature</span><span style="font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> Center, </span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">beside a naturally wet and muddy spot at the edge of the forest</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;">, sits a Mud Kitchen. P</span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">ots, pans, a spice rack, whisks, shovels, spoons, are assembled</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"> f</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;">or Forest Preschoolers</span><span style="font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> to become scientists, chefs, and artists. Imaginations come alive in the Mud Kitchen and d</span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;">elicacies such as pizza soup, birthday cake, an assortment of pies, are concocted. Mud is at the heart of such domestic and scientific endeavors but a variety of other natural ingredients found in the forest are untilized. Pine needles, stones, cones, sticks, and leaves are often added to </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">recipes</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> and solutions or sprinkled on top to decorate or engage in further experimentation. Earth and water are poured, stirred, and mixed.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooking in the kitchen!</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In the article, Making a Mud Kitchen, Jan White shares, "Making connections through discovering and investigating cause and effect is the stuff of brain development and scientific process. Curiosity, fascination and the pleasure of finding thing out are fundamentally important to the human state - being human.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The processes of making concoctions brings the worlds of science and art completely together through possibility thinking. The growth of imagination and creativity happens through building on concrete cause-and-effect experience to posing and predicting what if? Good scientists do this all the time, as do artists and all other innovators."</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EMx0l_A7-80/VWWsrmMgOiI/AAAAAAAAAbc/ySafPhL_n1I/s1600/mud%2Bkitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EMx0l_A7-80/VWWsrmMgOiI/AAAAAAAAAbc/ySafPhL_n1I/s320/mud%2Bkitchen.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times;">Experimenting with the flow of water and fishing with a stick!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Mud not only capitalizes on natural curiosity as a tool for teaching and learning, it helps to support healthy immune systems. Jan White also share in the article, Making a Mud Kitchen, “Contact with soil is actually beneficial as the bacteria in it help to build healthy functioning immune systems in young children (See Why Dirt is Good in booklist below), and research also suggests that that this makes us feel happy! (Go play in the dirt). “</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div>
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At North Branch Nature Center's Forest Preschool, it’s not uncommon to hear a child exclaim, "Mud is glorious.” I had to chuckle one time as a child shared, “I love puddles - I want to sleep in one!" Alas, proof is in the (mud) pudding - earth mixed with water is irresistible! <span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">And so, if you have children or know a child, enjoy time outdoors this season and, as Jan White says, go play in the dirt! </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mud glorious mud!</td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Mud Kitchens are easy to make at home. All you need is a little dirt (purchased topsoil or earth free of cat or dog feces), a little water (even one pot full will do)</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">, and some old pots and pans. Check out the link below to learn more!</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Link to Making a Mud Kitchen by Jan White:</span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">http://www.muddyfaces.co.uk/mud_kitchens.php/#Delving_Into</span></div>
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Mary Zentarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06498004396902060971noreply@blogger.com0