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BANGS, SCRAPES, DIRT AND SOMETHING SAD

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Today we took to the garden with our drum.  I figured it would be a great day to do our class outside.  

As Rylie slammed on the drum, the kids ran around until she stopped drumming,  then they froze.  Let’s just say I thought this was an awesome idea until the injuries began.  Although nothing serious occurred I really tried to minimize the reaction to getting scrapes.  I am a mom and I understand that these things happen… so I offer a quiet soothing hug and that seemed to work.  But I do feel bad when there are bumps, scrapes and bruises and tears.  🙁 

Once we settled down and put the drum away we listened to “MUNCHA MUNCH MUNCHA” by Candace Fleming  a story about a frustrated gardner named Mr. McGreely.  Those darn bunnies kept getting into his garden eating his veggies.  Ugh…. what a drag for him …. over time he built up his garden wall and …… well I’ll stop there cause I don’t want to spoil it for you.  Check it out at the library.

 Next it was time to get some new soil into our garden.  

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Luckily there was a pile of fresh compost for us to use (Thanks Rebecca!!) and the kids were ready with shovels big and small to fill up their space of the garden where they would plant lettuce seeds.  (luckily our garden is well protected from bunnies)!

Here they are hard at work!  The amazing Kindergartners!!!  i just stood back and watched.

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Next we examined the lettuce seeds.  We tried to guess what they would look like….   They planted them with the hope that our lettuce would bring us something to munch on in the coming months.  It’s always a gamble… but one I am willing to take with the kids 🙂

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Once we finished and put away our tools we were ready to go out into the field to chase after balls from this slingshot I bought. 

However as we walked into the field the kids came running up to me and said, “Miss Sue, what is that?”  

At first glade I thought it was a turd.  but upon closer examination I realized it was the remains of a mommy bunny.  Basically her intestines along with the baby bunnies that she was carrying inside her.  Oh so sad.  Hmmmm what is the best way to explain this?Image

Yes it is part of nature and this does happen sometimes. They circle of life, I think they call it.  Cute little Zachary summed it up by saying, “They are taking a nap”.  A reasonable choice considering he is only five.  We chatted a bit more about it and then continued out into the field to chase balls.  (in the back of my mind I was so sad for those unborn bunnies… hoping that the kids didn’t have nightmares…)

As the class came to a close I have to say that in one hour we experienced joy, sadness, joy and tiredness…. (is that a word?)

It was a good day to share with them and only brought us closer as a group.  Peace and sunshine

 

 

LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!!!!

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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!!!!

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

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!

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Ah yes the prize!!!Image

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.

 

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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.  

 

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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

LOOK WHAT WE DID!!!

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Early in May my Sticks, Stones and Stories classes planted sugar snap peas and basil.  We set them in our hot house and let them begin their circle of life.   

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After they sprouted we planted them in our own little section of the garden.   They grew and grew and grew and today we picked them!!!!  Crunchy snap peas and smelly basil.  As we picked our bounty the kids found a cool caterpillar and a very busy snail.  So fun!  It feels so good to pick and eat something that we grew ourselves.  Sustenance for all the kiddies.  

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ImageImageImageI look forward to September when these wonderful children come back for more fun and exploring!  Happy Veggies!

Sue

GOODBYE FOR NOW

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We ended our last week of all Seedlings classes…. she says with a sigh.

I cannot even begin to describe as a person and an educator all the joy these children brought me this past season of classes.  Some of my favorite times were when the kids showed me a thing or two.  It confirms my belief that children have the ability to teach patience and thinking outside of the box.

So this summer as you shuffle your children around listen to them, take them outdoors so they can sweat and dig and find things in the garden.  Listen to them and don’t worry so much about what “all the other kids ” are doing.    It is a reciprocal relationship, we give, they give, we give, they give and so on…….  enjoy!     Be back with camp blogs in four weeks!!!  SueDSC01984photo taken by a local Girl Scout

Diggin’ in the Dirt with Books!!!

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ImageBooks are always fun to share with children.  It is an opportunity to express ideas in a gentle and interesting way.  I shared this book, “The Curious Garden” written by Peter Brown with my K- 3rd grade class before our hike.  The story is a about Liam, who lives in a dreary city.  He explores and finds a tiny little patch of nature on the old abandoned railway tracks (reminds me of the Highline in NYC)*  and the story just blossoms from there.  While today’s children might not produce the same outcome as Liam, they can have an impact on their own surroundings.  Whether they plant a garden with their family, scouts, at school or just have a pot with herbs growing in it for mom or dad to use in the kitchen.  It all can make a difference in their lives and yours!  

ImageA simpler book for the preschool /Kindergarten age-group is a fun book about, “Growing Vegetable Soup”, by Lois Ehlert.  How silly is the idea of growing soup.?  But is it really?  This book shows the planting process simply and leads up to harvesting, washing and chopping veggies for yummy soup.  There is even a recipe on the inside back cover.  Garden to table all right there in a children’s book.  How apropos! 

 Now is a great time to start a very small crop of one vegetable inside (if you live in the Northeast)  Inexpensive seeds are just waiting to be planted by little hands in a small recycled bottle or jar.  Replant outside after the last frost (usually by Mother’s Day)

This week we planted sugar snap peas and basil seeds in class.  They are settling in at the greenhouse at Avalon and hopefully next time our class gets together we’ll see something happen!  Happy Spring!

Go visit:

* http://www.thehighline.org/about/park-information