Avalon park and preserve Archives

HEADS DOWN

May 29, 2014/in Children and the outdoors /by natasha commander

Over the past two day I’ve spent with the Natural Patterns kids…. k-3 graders…. we talked of clouds, painted outside, looked at how the top of the trees roll up and down like a roller coaster against the sky, discovered spittle bugs hiding out in the fields. So delicious, every moment of discovery.

Some of my favorite moments:

Zachary in the moment, painting his tree and clouds with wax paper as Mae takes a moment to lay in the grass with here eyes closed.

Love the freedom. Could you imagine if an adult was doing something then decided to just lay down on the grass in the middle of it all? A funny thought.

Heads down in concentration….

Heads down working together to clean the paint covered plexiglass plates used to create their images.

Working together, standing in puddles, getting wet. Involved…. thoughts focused.

Heads down looking at these tiny red bugs that Thomas discovered…. focused on the red as they squish them with rocks.

So present in what they were doing….. busy busy busy in the sunshine.

Heads down hunting and discovering spittle bugs. Hiding amongst their butt spit! What do they look like those nymphs? How many can you find? Hundreds… the more they looked the more they found.

The downward gaze of these faces…. means they are inquisitive and engaged. I am so proud of these young naturalists and can only hope that they continue to enjoy all that nature offers as they go through life. Awesome!!!!

GET YOUR PIZZA!!

May 22, 2014/in Children and the outdoors /by natasha commander

Well not really, but today the kids planted their pizza garden. It is comprised of tomatoes, onion, pepper, oregano, parsley and basil.

They worked hard to create the homemade separations for their garden, comprised of wood found in the pile of branches out back behind the barn. But first we had to make the branches fit.

It was the perfect opportunity for all the kids to use a saw. It was interesting to see how each child had their own level of tolerance for the effort they were willing to put into making a cut in the branch.

To me sawing wood seems so primitive. One of the kids said, “get out the chain saw!” No way!!!

It is an invaluable lesson for each of these kids to know what it is to work hard at something. They are so desensitized to swords, guns and other weaponry from watching TV or playing video games. But to actually hold something sharp and use it in a real way helps to create a form of respect. Most of them have never sawed anything before. They did a great job and no fingers or toes were lost.

As a result they were able to divide their pizza garden into six sections with the branches they sawed. Pretty darn good effort! Then the planting and watering occurred. I am so excited to see how the garden will grow. Wish us luck!!!

Hey it’s not the most perfect looking garden, BUT it is theirs. So glad it is raining today!!!

Perhaps I’ll have to buy them a pizza for our last class….. their crops won’t be ready til the summer! But it will be worth the wait.

Bravo kids!!!

A MOMENT

May 21, 2014/in Children and the outdoors /by natasha commander

I am grateful for every moment I spend with these kids. They are excited by a fallen tree, collected branches from a broken down lean-to, the adventure of being high up above the ground. It is as magical as this photograph, this image that was a single moment, a collective group of breaths and laughs. Gone forever but always here.

You can have this feeling as a child or as an adult. Just stand back or participate. Leave the worries at the beginning of the path… for those moments you will feel joy, fear, excitement, curiosity. “What was it like when that tree fell?” the kids wondered. That tree which has given us a place to live for the moment.

And the moment when Lola sees this thing up in the tree? That moment when we can explore and wonder.

When we can touch and feel life crawling upon our hands.

Thank you dear children for making moments so important. Our bills, our headaches, our worries can be left as we enter the woods to experience these moments.

Take the time to make a moment or allow a child to show you how to live a moment.

Lovingly,

Sue

A PLACE TO CALL THEIR OWN

May 15, 2014/in Children and the outdoors /by natasha commander

This place, this magical place where kids open their minds ….. Avalon Park.

Laying on the stone wall, my view of the barn at Avalon

Where our children arrive ready for a new adventure. It is never the same. For today my 9, 10, and 11 year olds will be given the gift of creating their own garden. That means visiting the shed, getting the tools and weeding. This process will make this garden theirs. It is not readied by a landscaper or a parent. It is their sweat which will make this a success. And so it begins…. a place of their own.

Ah yes the pesky weeds are afoot!!! Go get em !!!!

I loved standing back, listening to them talking to one another, laughing, complaining, and some of them taking charge. It is a magical process which we as adults sometimes interrupt before it happens. Look at these amazing young kids!

Liam and Chris get started

Hazel contributing her weeds to the pile!

Garden Gold!

Something is going on here

I know these kids went home tired but they were still smiling when they completed their mission. I am always to happy to hear that some of them have gardens at home. And for those who don’t they have this place of their own.

The aftermath!

Bravo, Kathryn, Sophia, Shannon, Hazel, Liam and Chris!! Next week we plant!!!

THE RAKE

May 7, 2014/in Children and the outdoors /by natasha commander

I love being with all the kids out in the garden; so free, digging in the dirt, searching for that elusive worm. They are all so present.

There are no Common Core standards, no learning for the test… it is more of just learning to be what we are naturally. Inquisitive doers. That is what I see when I watch these children busy their whole bodies and minds.

Ah yes…. THE RAKE…. what would a blog be without my story? I guess it’s more of a metaphor than an actual story….

Tool or Weapon?

At Avalon we have a lovely garden named “Acadia.” Developed by the older kids in the S.T.A.T.E. program, it is fenced in and made up of various shaped garden boxes, surrounded by green grass and a tool shed My Seedlings groups are lucky enough to use one of their boxes

Each time we go to the shed, the kids stand there as if they are looking into a candy store. “I want the shovel, I want the rake!” they yell. They just can’t wait to get their hands the metal tools. Each time I walk into the shed I see row of hand rakes and shovels and I have this flash of paranoia. I can’t help but think….. ” can these 3 -5 year olds handle these tools. I someone going accidentally hit another kid in the head as they feverishly rake or dig in the soil???? Then I stop myself and say, “Really? Really Sue?? How will these kids ever learn that you believe they can indeed handle the rake if I don’t give them an opportunity to give it a go? Just let that fear go ” And so it goes each time I step into the shed. But you know what ? Every time they are given the tools they DO it ! They pull it off …. no one bonks anyone with the tools, just occasional dirt in the eye from exuberant shoveling.

I step back, try to observe and give as little direction as possible. Letting them be little independent souls. Oh what a wonderful experience for me, the kids and the parents.

I watch the parents as we surround the kids. While they workI can see some parents who possess the same fears I spoke of and are right there with their child and then there are others who just stand back. No judgement here from me. We all have our own bags of worries and fears instilled from our parents, our own experiences and lots of crappy TV shows.

As parents and humans, where do we draw the line in terms of allowing children to be inquisitive explorers without instilling our fears onto them? I think that is the lesson of THE RAKE which hangs in the dark shed.

Do we allow the children to learn respect for the tool and how it can be used without actually holding the rake for them and telling them this is how they do it or not do it?

Of course I am speaking metaphorically and it can be transferred to many things that we experience with our children everyday.

It is possible to teach respect for THE RAKE and here is some proof:

Kids working cooperatively! Beautiful

We had a great day of working in the garden (honestly I didn’t do anything in the garden, they did it all). They added new soil to the old, raked it out, planted beans and watered. The parents and I stood and watched our future happening in front of us! Lovely day, RAKE and all. I would love to hear some feedback on this topic from my readers!!!

Planting sugar snap peas while mom watches.

More peas in the ground!

And still more peas!

The elusive worm!

The grand finale…. water!!

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

April 24, 2014/in Children and the outdoors /by natasha commander

The last time we got together our class ventured into the woods to create a fort. The idea was driven all by the kids and their desire to collect long branches. We ran out of time last visit and only had a little luck. I told them we could return on our next visit but to be aware that what they built might not be there when we return.

Here was their first effort two weeks ago:

Yesterday while we were hiking in Brandon informed us that someone had knocked down their first effort. That was predictable. But I was happy to see that Brandon and his family had been out hiking and he checked on it.

I was met with an overwhelming YES when I asked if they wanted to return. Motivation….. ahhh like a breath of fresh air!

Liam led the way and we were off, of course they gathered building materials as they went along. It is so cool to see these kids get to do what they really want to do. It is the true essence of play and creativity, something there is a shortage of these days.

When we arrived it took a little time for them to get organized. When the branches ran out they went into the woods and pulled more. I was impressed to see them all working hard to create their fort.

Brandon breaking branches.

Running round like crazys!!

The beginning…..

Kathryn and Hazel working hard.

After about a half an hour of work they created a wonderful little structure. Sophia said they needed some type of carpeting inside…. another suggested leaves for a soft floor. If we had more time, Hazel had been busy collecting bark to side the outside. But as usual our time ran out so she hid the bark under a nearby tree. They could have gone on for another hour.

Look at this baby!!!

Success!!

As we headed back to the barn Hazel and I were talking. We knew that the fort might not be there when we returned. I said to her it is like creating art, once you release it into the world it is no longer only yours. I hope that others will come upon this and climb inside and add to it or just wonder about it….

Great job Hazel, Christopher (chief wood collector), Brandon, Kathryn, Liam, Sophia and Shannon!

Keep on building.

Sue

DUCKS & GEESE: THE FEEDING CONUNDRUM

April 22, 2014/in Children and the outdoors /by natasha commander

Yesterday the 3, 4 and 5 year olds took an awesome hike to the little pond at Avalon. Owen was thrilled and couldn’t get there fast enough so he made himself the leader! I was so excited by his motivation.

Go Owen Go!!!

Along the way we found a praying mantis egg case, dandelions blooming, leaves opening and heard a woodpecker hard at work.

Once we got to the pond we came upon a male and female mallard duck. Louis made sure I knew that they were mallards by saying hello to the “myyards”numerous times! So precious and amazing that he knows the word… good for his parents!

Watching The Ducks

As you enter Avalon Park there is a larger pond with loads of ducks, geese and other water fowl. It is has become a favorite spot for families to visit, take photos and feed the animals. The parents and I were talking about how bad it is to feed the ducks. A bunch of them were not aware of this, as are most people who stand there with their bags of white bread. Although many people feel they are doing something good, unfortunately they are not. Feeding these wild animals has many repercussions. The easiest one to understand is that bread, popcorn, etc are just not good for ducks. They are very high in calories and have no nutritional value. So really we are harming these unsuspecting little guys. Perhaps you’ve seen the geese who have disfigured wings? Yep, that is caused by a lack of nutrition in these birds from eating crappy food. Like people they need vitamins and our man made products don’t cut it.

Another problem is that these animals forget how to forage for what they naturally eat because food is always supplied for them. So now they depend upon us to feed them the whatever we think they might like. Doesn’t sound very natural.

If you are in the mood, here’s a short article about feeding ducks: http://www.liveducks.com/wfeeding.html

Generally I try not to be preachy but the lesson is self evident. As a group we sat and observed the ducks today. We didn’t need to feed them. We just watched them. We laughed so hard when the female duck dipped into the water leaving only her duck butt up in the air. That’s all you need to do with kids, watch, talk and laugh! They gather so much information just by watching.

For those the others who weren’t interested in observing they wound their way around the pond balancing on the wood stumps sometimes stopping to look at the the grow fiddle heads!!! So cool and furry!

Coming soon… a fern!

Big boy Johnny with his hiking stick!

So next time you feel the urge to feed those ducks, just go down to the pond and watch those silly little guys. Bring crayons and a pad and draw a pictures of them. (yes you too mom & dad!) Get a bird guidebook and see if you can identify the water fowl you see or just stand, watch and talk to your children about them there’s so much to see!

peace to the ducks and geese 🙂

Sue

INSPIRED

April 16, 2014/in Children and the outdoors /by natasha commander

Couldn’t help but write about something that occurred last week while I was teaching my class.

I was working with my Kindergarten gang in the garden and field. When we finished, the moms, dads and siblings hung around as they sometimes do. Today it was extra special because Emma, who is in my older Natural Patterns class, chose to create this amazing structure from the recently cut wildflower fields.

She was busy as a bee creating what looked like a teepee shaped shelter complete with an entrance.

All of this came from within her! How amazing to take the initiative and focus on creating a piece of natural art! She was so proud and protective of it. I was in awe.

It reminded me of the work of Patrick Dougherty, an artist who creates amazing sculptures by bending sticks. Sounds simple, but when you look at his work you can’t help but want to climb inside and take it all in. I did have opportunity to see one of his pieces in California years ago along with my daughter. There is something so primitive and earthly about them.

Check it out!

When it is was finally time to go she reluctantly walked away knowing that it would never look the same but she hoped that the next time she returned it would still be there.

Being outside gives us all the opportunity to look at what is around us. For some it inspires art, poetry or just peace. Whatever it is take some time to BE out there and perhaps you’ll walk away with more than you came with. I know that Emma did!

Thank you Emma for making my day!

Check out : http://www.stickwork.net/featured/ for more about Patrick Dougherty

Peace

LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!!!!

April 14, 2014/in Children and the outdoors /by natasha commander

A great day to start off the season with our garden. Cleaning and preparing the luscious soil to give birth to our plants with the help of Mother Sunshine!

Our 3-4 year old groups and parents were ready to lend a hand to clean out our box garden from its sleeping state. They cleared out the branches that will once again hold our bean plants and also tilled the soil. So wonderful to see the kids getting their hands dirty!!!!

Look at Finn’s face of determination as he moves the brancha

As yes then the unearthing of weeds and WORMS. I was so pleased to see these children cooperating and working in harmony as they searched for gold in the form of wiggliness! No one screeched or eeewwwwed when the worms were found. It was more like shrieks of pure joy! Dig in kids, dig in!

=

Ah yes the prize!!!

Now ready to prepare with their heads down and hard at work!

This season this garden box will be shared with the Kindergarten and Grades 1-3 groups. It will be fun to track the development.

When we finished our work in the garden we had the opportunity to run out in the freshly cut wildflower fields. Just what we all needed after toiling in the garden and the long hard winter.

Run!!! Run, Run!!!! I even see some parents out there too.

On that note, I love the parents who are willing to come be outside to be with their kids. Perhaps they realize what a gift they are giving to their children. If not, you need to know I am impressed. It is important for this young generation to learn to love our earth so that they will take care of it for future. ( oh I sound so preachy…. yuck)

So for now get out into a field, run, scream and laugh…. it’ll do your winterized body good!

Peace and hiking,

Sue

THE GATHERERS

April 3, 2014/in Children and the outdoors /by natasha commander

I find it amusing to watch these children collect things. At times it’s been acorns but today it was stalks from the spent wildflowers. Celeste, Kathryn and Samantha were straggling behind collecting the stalks. When I asked them why they said, “because we want to build a fort.” Of course… how silly I am! I don’t know what exactly they had in mind but when we arrived at our destination they were ready to build.

Interestingly, when they arrived they seemed unsure about what to do. But this was a great opportunity for them to work together and figure it out. And they did. Time passed so quickly and we had to leave to go back to the waiting parents. They were just beginning to get into full building mode and I had to be the party pooper telling them we had to go. ” Nooooooooo, we’re not done” I actually felt bad and the playfulness in me wanted to stay til the sun went down, but I’m an adult and I had to deliver these kids back to their parents…. Sometimes I have to be the enforcer.

We finally got on the road back to the barn …. 10 minutes late (oops) And I consoled them by saying we can return next time to see what has happened to their creation. I wish they were coming back next week… I love the adventure, the spirit and the willingness to create with nothing but nature. Fun stuff!!!!!

Until next time…. get outside!

Sue

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