Wild in the Woods
At Forest Hill Nature Preschool, we believe that children learn best when they have the opportunity to explore, discover, and create. Connecting with nature is a way to expand children's minds. We do this by exploring outside--by comparing bugs, playing in streams and learning about the abundance of wildlife available in our backyards. Many kids growing up in this technological world tend to miss out on the educational opportunities available through nature. It is our goal to help children discover and develop an appreciation for the outside world. Wild in the Woods gives children the freedom to learn and play in a safe outdoor setting. On our property, the children have the chance to explore open fields, and hike around 6 acres of land.
At the current time, we are incorporating Nature-based activities into the children's regular classroom activities as part of our response to the Covid-19 recommendations from the CDC and Licensing. When it is once again safe for us to break out into smaller groups with friends from other classrooms and rotate between staff members who have contact with the whole school, we look forward to re-introducing our full-time Wild in the Woods instruction as a special area enrichment program for all students using dedicated space in the school.
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2019-2020 Wild Projects
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Nature Names
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Bug Catching
The children and I will be exploring bugs over the next two weeks. We will observe the bugs that we catch and photos will be sent home via class dojo. We will sing songs about the bugs we catch and discuss the importance of catch and release as to not mess up the bugs life cycle.
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Fall Hike
In large groups we will walk around the school grounds and observe the seasonal changes we can see, hear, feel, and smell. We will examine leaf color change, temperature change and animal behavioral change such as migrating birds and squirrels digging. We will also analyze our coniferous trees in the area and discuss how they stay for"ever green".
In large groups we will walk around the school grounds and observe the seasonal changes we can see, hear, feel, and smell. We will examine leaf color change, temperature change and animal behavioral change such as migrating birds and squirrels digging. We will also analyze our coniferous trees in the area and discuss how they stay for"ever green".
Autumn Kings and Queens
The children and I will be headed to the nature classroom to create a crown of leaves. While gathering leaves the children will review their colors in Spanish red, orange, yellow, green (rojo, anajangado, amarillo, verde) and introducing the color brown (cafe).We will take one group photo as the kings and queens of autumn.
The children and I will be headed to the nature classroom to create a crown of leaves. While gathering leaves the children will review their colors in Spanish red, orange, yellow, green (rojo, anajangado, amarillo, verde) and introducing the color brown (cafe).We will take one group photo as the kings and queens of autumn.
Leaf Identification
I will be gathering and laminating leaves from outside. The children will then sort and identify the leaves. This project will revolve around red oak leaves, maple leaves and dogwood leaves. After identification, the children will be asked to draw a mirrored image of the leaf they chose. We will be trying to imitate the shapes and colors of the leaf.
I will be gathering and laminating leaves from outside. The children will then sort and identify the leaves. This project will revolve around red oak leaves, maple leaves and dogwood leaves. After identification, the children will be asked to draw a mirrored image of the leaf they chose. We will be trying to imitate the shapes and colors of the leaf.
Tree Personification
The children and I take to the woods to find our favorite trees. We will talk about the similarities trees and humans share such as eating, drinking, breathing, growing and communicating. We will then personify our trees with faces and give them names. The goal of this project is to build a connection with the natural world around us and teach us to use gentleness around nature.
The children and I take to the woods to find our favorite trees. We will talk about the similarities trees and humans share such as eating, drinking, breathing, growing and communicating. We will then personify our trees with faces and give them names. The goal of this project is to build a connection with the natural world around us and teach us to use gentleness around nature.
SNOW PAINTING
During our snow days during the winter, the children and I will be painting the snow! This is an annual favorite, where we develop our fine motor skills to draw letters and create pictures. Each group is child led, they decide where to paint, and make discoveries for themselves. Sometimes we review colors in Spanish and sometimes we mix colors or work on spelling our names. Pictures will be taken and placed in their ClassDojo portfolio. (P.S. - I try my hardest to make sure each child gets this opportunity however, If your child frequently misses school on snow days, or if the weather doesn't comply some children may miss the adventure.)
During our snow days during the winter, the children and I will be painting the snow! This is an annual favorite, where we develop our fine motor skills to draw letters and create pictures. Each group is child led, they decide where to paint, and make discoveries for themselves. Sometimes we review colors in Spanish and sometimes we mix colors or work on spelling our names. Pictures will be taken and placed in their ClassDojo portfolio. (P.S. - I try my hardest to make sure each child gets this opportunity however, If your child frequently misses school on snow days, or if the weather doesn't comply some children may miss the adventure.)
Crystal Growing
The children and I will be growing our own crystals in our first chemistry experiment. First we will explore crystals with magnifying classes. We will discuss that crystals grow in different shapes. The shapes that grow is what differentiates crystals from minerals.
Moving to our science experiment, we will be boiling water and adding a borax solution (powdered laundry detergent). We place a folded pipe cleaner in the solution where crystals will grow. After two days, the children will receive their crystals to take home.
The children and I will be growing our own crystals in our first chemistry experiment. First we will explore crystals with magnifying classes. We will discuss that crystals grow in different shapes. The shapes that grow is what differentiates crystals from minerals.
Moving to our science experiment, we will be boiling water and adding a borax solution (powdered laundry detergent). We place a folded pipe cleaner in the solution where crystals will grow. After two days, the children will receive their crystals to take home.
Parts of a Tree
The children will learn the parts of the tree by playing I spy. We will focus on the difference between branches and twigs (Size), trunk, roots and bark. The term bark will be reinforced with tree bark rubbings. This project will enforce fine motor skills,color recognition and an introduction to earth science vocabulary. A tree cookie and magnifying glass will be available for further investigation if interested. We can discuss a trees age and delve into the insides of a tree, such as the pith, heartwood, sapwood.
The children will learn the parts of the tree by playing I spy. We will focus on the difference between branches and twigs (Size), trunk, roots and bark. The term bark will be reinforced with tree bark rubbings. This project will enforce fine motor skills,color recognition and an introduction to earth science vocabulary. A tree cookie and magnifying glass will be available for further investigation if interested. We can discuss a trees age and delve into the insides of a tree, such as the pith, heartwood, sapwood.