We took advantage of the beautiful afternoon to take a look at our chosen conifer and deciduous trees.
They look very different than they did in August.
Mrs. Campbell was so kind to share her expertise of the cultural practice known as Day of the Dead with us.
A Mrs. Paris Perspective
Since rain and much colder temperatures were in the forecast, along with the need for a long afternoon of Veteran's Day practice, we headed to creek on Wednesday for a big visit, just in case it was our last trip for a bit.
I really don't know that I can adequately put into words my love of the creek for a learning environment.
Here are a few statements that have nary a time been uttered in our creek.
"Can we go back?"
"It's too cold/hot/green/wet/weedy."
"I'm bored."
"There's nothing to do."
"He won't play with me."
"She hit me."
Instead, I hear things that are music to my ears.
"I am taking the bark off this stick. I'm about one fourth of the way done." And he was.
"Look, this did not make the color red I was hoping for. I like it, but I like the dark red better."
"I'm using my resources to make this hatchet."
"Mrs. Paris, smell this leaf. It smells good."
"Don't you think this rock has an unusual shape?"
"Look at this." Yes, that is lichen and moss.
I love how our study of Native Americans and their amazing skills becomes evident as they try to use the creek resources to make every imaginable thing.
I love how, as time goes on, they find more and more to look at and explore instead of less.
Some of my kiddos are not natural naturalists, so along with nature love, we have very worldly entertainers using their sticks for flags and microphones, coercing their friends to the mic with leaf money, and singing loud and proud, no one to tell them to stop.
The Von Creek Family Singers are quite the creek sensation, and led their parade with a creek crafted cross in addition to their flags.
No one has ADD, a processing problem or a behavior issue in the creek.
No one is the smartest, or not.
When you have a chance, be sure and say a big "Thank You" to a school principal who is as concerned about emotional health as a test score, and allows these experiences for our children.
Speaking of Native Americans, our visiting art teacher, Mrs. Engle shared with the students the theory of how people came to be in the New World. We talked about the ice bridge and why the people might have crossed it. She brought dolls to share that were handmade by Native American Peoples.
We continue to study birds of prey and today got an up close look at owl pellets, which sounds so much nicer than owl puke, doesn't it.
We've learned so very much history this week. We are ready for the Veteran's Day Program.
Now we'll start preparations for our biography tea.
