October 2023 — Down to Earth Forest School

Can you believe it’s already October? This first month of school has absolutely flown by and it’s been so wonderful to be back with children in the forest!

Clan (class) Updates

Water Clan:

I wonder how many parents out there are still dressing their kids each day? Preschoolers are capable of dressing themselves and when they do it boosts their confidence and makes them feel capable and when they feel proud they are more receptive to further learning and growth. Do any of you have very early risers? How about putting some dishes down low for them to get themselves, a small pitcher or container in the fridge so they make themselves breakfast in the morning. This is another opportunity to build independence. Tonight try having them set out their clothes for the next day and then task them with getting dressed first thing. These kids are showing they can be so autonomous at school, they are very capable!

Earth Clan (formerly Fire):

Our Kinder kids are jumping into this year by being great leaders and helping Ms. G learn the forest play spots. We have been learning a sign language ABC song, counting forest critters, doing fruit tasting, graphing, learning the days of the week song in Spanish and English, (as well as many other songs, the kids are teaching me some great new ones) and so much more! We will be continuing letter name and sound work (building them and using forest tools to practice earth writing). This class LOVES books and I am so happy to read with them! They are finding and making rhymes in songs and books and just from forest finds. I am so excited to get into a nocturnal and diurnal animal unit with them next month! It has been a fantastic start at DTE for Earth class, I am excited to be a part of this community.

Air Clan (formerly Earth):

Your children in the Air Clan are doing so great! The hard work right now is the social/emotional learning, specifically self-control and using words to explain our feelings and needs. We read a native story every day, and we're getting into the groove of daily focused academic work. I am enjoying watching your kiddos learn to work as a team by asking each other for help, encouraging one another, and last Thursday they even got to a consensus decision on the day's adventure destination without help from an adult! We're off to an awesome start of the school year!

Fire Clan (formerly Air):

This group of 14 is settling into school like the pros they are! These kids have been in the forest for at least one, if not two years or more - and it shows. They are quickly acclimating to the cooler weather and rain, solving disputes and problems by themselves and tuning into their bodies and needs to stay comfortable and happy. We may be squeezed onto the bus, but everyone is excited to be there and we are making it work! We are getting into the swing of things academically by beginning our ‘block scheduling’ this last week with one, one hour block per day. Next week we’re trying for two blocks, one full hour and another 45 minutes after a short break. These are times you student is practicing and learning skills around literacy, math and ancestral skills. You can expect more information coming once we really get rolling in a few weeks. Feel free to ask myself or Erin for more info if you’re dying of curiosity before then!