Cooler temperatures, fallen leaves, basketball, the limbo, hopscotch and pinecone turkeys. What a fun November we have had in the outdoor classroom.

Fall has arrived with hopes of falling leaves and cooler weather. Although the temperatures are still really warm the children continue to enjoy the outdoor classroom.
The mud kitchen is still a favorite where they role play and cook up lots of unique dishes.

Welcome back to school! It’s been a hot 5 weeks. In the outdoor classroom we’ve been trying to stay cool by doing water and ice work. The use of water in the outdoor classroom can be a fantastic tool for learning and discovery as well as the sensory benefits. We’ve rescued frozen trapped sea animals with warm water, salt and a few tools. With some serious team work, scraping, sprinkling, and spraying, they were able to free all the animals.

Fridays are obstacle course day. Where they can run, jump, crawl and yell, and expend some of their energy. Obstacle courses are great for improving their balance, learning body control and strength. When they complete the obstacles it provides a sense of pride, confidence, and accomplishment.

Mud, mud, and more mud! The mud kitchen is where the kids imagination takes over to create their favorite mud recipes. Who doesn’t love playing in mud. It’s the place to communicate with other friends and get messy too. Playing with mud allows curiosity and experimentation and endless imagination and role play. They use real pots, pans and tools for mixing and measuring. We also tried painting with mud. Our kids are so creative.

As we are home over the next few weeks, let us all remember that playing is the cement that holds our learning foundation together.  Creating, moving, singing, discussing, observing and reading together come from a shared desire to communicate and learn from each other. Even though this is a difficult time for all of us, we also hope this can be a special opportunity for spending time with your families.

The newest addition to our Outdoor Classroom is our very own mud kitchen!

Yes, mud and water are the best ingredients served in this outdoor, creative kitchen.  Students wear smocks, while working with kitchen tools, bowels, pots, and pans while creating wonderful “meals.”  The socializing and organizing that goes into this “culinary” operation is extensive and fun to observe.

The mud kitchen was made possible due to the generous funding by our PTO and families. We are so grateful for this creative and useful addition to our Outdoor Classroom.  We are also grateful to FMS alumnus, Griffin Drew (Ms. Angela’s son), who built the kitchen for us. Thanks Griffin!

The environment plays such an important role in children’s development. The outdoors can speak to a child about being valued, respected, and welcomed.  

Plant some seeds together, both in some planters and in the hearts of your families. Let’s make memories that will last a lifetime! 

Remember, learning is endless.

Love,

Ms. Val

Fun Filled February

It seems to us that February tugs at our hearts.  Why is that so? I think we know!!

Our minds tend to wander towards Spring.  Could it be that Spring is in the air?  

Our garden is growing, our trees are budding, the birds are singing.  With this in mind, take the time to point out and pay attention to the minor details and minuscule wonders within a child’s world.

Time, patience and awareness is what draws attention to the five senses, giving our children a life-long understanding and appreciation of sights, smells, textures, tastes and sounds around them.  All of this valuable experience is available to us when we pause long enough to observe our surroundings mindfully.

“All knowledge begins in observation.”*

Making more time to observe means increasing the number of opportunities we provide for our children to experience themselves as active participants in the world.

Remember,  learning is endless.

Love,

Ms. Val

*”Sparks of Genius” by Robert and Michelle Root Bernstein