November 2023
When autumn grieves
she bows her head
so rainbow-tears
fall gently
on her leaf-bed
-Angie Weiland-Crosby
Halloween
We will be celebrating Halloween at school this year in our own way. Children are welcome to get dressed up but please remember their costumes are likely to get very muddy and potentially ruined. Alternatively kids can come with crazy hair or a hat! We will have a morning dance party.
Day of the Dead
With cultural guidance from folks in our community we are excited about acknowledging the Day of the Dead on November 2nd. If there is time and if your family is in alignment with this offering, on November 1st create an alter with marigolds, candles and photos of loved ones that have died. You can set out a favorite item of food or drink for the departed as well. On November 2nd children can bring in their alter (just a few pieces is fine) and we will have a table set up that will stay at school all day.
Clan updates
Water Clan — The weather last week and no Ms. Heidi was an interesting combo. It’s an important part of our program, having to stay fluid and flexible to change and be resilient and find joy in the downpour. GRIT is what the word of the day- “Initial findings and studies in Europe suggest that children who go to nature preschools and forest kindergartens are just as well prepared for kindergarten and first grade as their compatriots in more traditional early childhood programs. But these nature programming students are also developing persistence, stick-to-it-ive-ness, and collaboration, and they’re more physically active. In short, they’re just as smart but perhaps have more grit-more self-reliance, persistence, ability to stay on task. And grit, we’re learning, may be a better predictor of school success then academic test scores.” (Duckworth and Eskreis-Winkler 2013)
Earth Clan — This month in Earth class we continue to do our sign language letter work, math and reading songs. We are practicing retelling stories and continuing to carve and work on some art projects and crafts. We are using our nature journals as we practice drawing things we see in the forest that begin with the letter of the week. Earth Class begins nocturnal animal studies next month and will be learning about nocturnal animal habitats and adaptations.
Air Clan — This month we are settling into our block scheduling which is an adjustment, kids seem to be settling into the routine. We are the biggest class in the school and some very big personalities here too. A lot of conversations around self control, pausing before reacting and developing an awareness of others. We have also been making our lanterns, enjoying Holly’s weekly ancestral skills offerings and trying to stay dry!
Fire Clan — October has flown by with chilly mornings, sunny afternoons and the occasional all day torrential downpour. We welcomed two new students into our clan, brothers Finn and Kai - they’ve been a wonderful addition! We’ve been busy making large watercolor paper lanterns, carving (spoons, spears, and block prints for Forest Families), and working hard during block scheduling on literacy and math!
Warm Gear and Food
One of the best ways for kids to stay comfortable in the forest on cold and/or rainy days is to have the appropriate gear and food. We talk about it a lot with kids and parents, but want to make sure everyone is clear that the time is now! Sending kids with the following items to school every day will make their days more enjoyable and comfortable:
Mittens, hat, warm base layer, warm mid layer, warm heavy layer and rain layer.
Warm boots with wool socks. (Please pack extra socks for kids everyday in their backpacks) Also, please send a smallish hand towel for each kid to help clean off muddy wet hands.
Hand warmers (many options - disposable, rechargeable, Hot Snapz)
Warm food/tea - Warm food and tea helps kids to keep warm from the inside out!
Last year’s Lantern walk, our fall tradition