January 26, 2016

This day, the temperature above zero. When we arrived, MK was fascinated by the bird feeder he had place beside the shed 2 weeks before. Someone had altered it. The hole was much bigger  and it had not been made with scissors; it was a zigzag.

Provocation: Students were invited to make tags with their names to place somewhere in the forest. The OFN educators reinforced positional language with the students (e.g., plus loin, plus proche)

Play: Staying close to the cabin, the Owl Parliament began to play, using sticky snow which we discovered was ideal for building forts. Then they flew off for a walk to a new part of Trail 12.

Meanwhile, the wolves built small objects like BB-8 or snow squirrels after their hike to the Rocky and Mossy Place.

MA and SA found an entrance to what they called the “Secret Kingdom” or the subnivean level. Fascinated by how animals survive in the winter.

Sit Spots: We retold the story of the wisest person in the world and asked students to see if wisdom would come to them? Not even a snowshoer walking beside us with his dog could disturb the students

Story of the Day: What mark did you leave

Back at school, we documented examples of team work at OFN.

January 19, 2016

It was the coldest day of winter and we delayed our trip by an hour, hoping the temperature would rise. Happily, the shelter of the forest provided some relief, we were out of the wind.

Provocation: We began our day inside the cabin and we read a story about snow.

Play: We went for a hike stopping to engage in free play when the moment struck. The Owls played near the tiny pond off the trail to the cabin. The pond was frozen and slippy. And cracked when Madame walked on it! But not when the students did… hmm?

Sit Spots: We felt it was too cold to stop, so instead we went for a listening walk.

Story of the Day: Students were asked to share one word to describe the day: frosty, cold, fun, etc.

Back at school, we compared the ice we found before, in Fall and now, in Winter, incorporating Math measurement vocabulary (e.g., épaise et mince) and building on our positional language vocabulary.

What was under the ice? Even on this cold day, there was water under the ice and when we tossed snow on top, We watch snow disappear into the puddle.

January 12, 2016

At Meadowlands PS, before we left for Forest School, some students created their own bird feeders based on a plan they had developed the day before in Science. We had co-created criteria for making an effective bird feeder.

Provocation: At OFN, students placed their bird feeders in the forest.

Play: After snack, we veered off our trail and followed a deer who had antlers (so we understood it was a male). This shortcut led us a short distance, where there were some interesting ice puddles with bubbles frozen inside, and even a stream running underneath.

Sit Spots: We asked the students to use their wolf ears to listen for what sound snow falling makes.

Back at the cabin, students discovered a collection of snow shoes and immediately wanted to try them out.

Story of the Day: What did you hear in the forest with your wolf or owl ears or using you 5 senses.

Back at school, students shared what the noticed using their 5 senses and co-created an anchor chart about how these animals used their wolf eyes, ears, mouth, noses or beaks and paws or wings. Students also drew comparisons about what they saw over and under the snow, developing their positional language skills.

January 5, 2016

Our first day back after the Holiday Break was a very cold winter day. We met at the Magic Line and then gathered around the campfire.

Provocation: Forest School educators asked if the students had noticed any changes?

Play: They had this question in mind as they set off in two groups, wolves and owls, mixing the 2 classes (after a snack in the cabin). The snow was deep and the students found many tracks in the forest. We also found crystals around the frozen puddles on Trail 12.

Sit Spots: We skipped this routine so that students would keep moving and stay warm.

Story of the Day: What did you see with your wolf or owl eyes?

Back at school the story became about what we saw when we looked down. With so much snow on the ground, it became easier to notice all of the animal tracks, even though we did not see any animals? We could see evidence of animals being in the forest but no actual animals. Was it too cold? Where they hibernating? Where could they be hiding? Further investigation would provide some answers about the secret kingdom (the subnivean zone) in the following weeks.