Today, the group was separated between the geology dome and the increasingly familiar exploring nature hike. We woke up early enough for a home-cooked breakfast and then Aspen Aspen, Emily Eastern Blue Bird and I hiked our way to the learning center. At the learning center, we greeted just under fifty second graders who couldn't wait to have fun! This second grade group was from a title one school in the middle of Goshen, a 'kind of' city. We anticipated high energy and rowdy kids, but were greeted with greatest display of engagement I have seen in this week at Merry Lea.
Alejandro Algae and I (I went by Liz Lilly today) led a group of 12 second graders on an adventure through the trails, and their sheer awe was inspiring. This group was mesmerized, taking in every word, and jumping wholeheartedly into each of the activities. We started the trip with human photographs, where the kids positioned each other in beautiful scenes and using their observation skills to describe and take in what they were seeing. Along the trail, we also flipped over a log and played with worms, millipedes, and beetles! At the end of the hike, the majority of kiddos said that the vernal pond was their favorite moment and I think I need to agree. The students were so engaged, and so excited to find new things and identify them. They were shoving Macroinvertabrates in my face faster than I could say Caddisfly! Overall, the morning was incredible! I loved hearing "Lilly, Lilly, what's this? What does this do?"
The afternoon brought a bird walk, where we saw Blue Jays, Chickadees, and an Owl's nest. Once we arrived home, I went to kitchen and started whipping up some cheesecakes for Ryan Rockin' Robin's Birthday and that is next on the agenda: A birthday party! This includes a special card made by Jordan Blue Jay, cheesecake, soda and hopefully horrible renditions of the Happy Birthday song.
Today I am thankful for questions and ear to ear smiles.
No comments:
Post a Comment