Preschoolers, Cattails, and Life in Indiana

Today was an exciting day to spend with a small group of preschoolers. They were excited to learn and use the "tools" that they brought with them. While a couple of our students liked to run in opposite directions, this excitement was great as they wanted to touch, taste, and see new plants and species. I can't wait to do it all over again tomorrow!

For my drawing today I decided to draw a cattail, or typha. When I went out to the farmstead tonight, I was looking for a good cattail to draw, as I had been intrigued by them from a conversation earlier in the day. I had no idea that cattails could be eaten in various ways, with all parts of them edible. Their roots taste like potatoes, their stalks taste like cucumber, their heads taste like corn on the cob when boiled, and the pollen can be collected to act as a flour supplement. I found this to be incredibly cool, and so decided to look into them a little more, as I had only previously learned that they can be somewhat invasive and can alter wetland systems when too many are present. Because of this, it was nice to learn good things about them. They can be used for building material, paper, and biofuel, as well as many other uses. Pretty cool! The specific plant that I found was very fluffy with a cotton-like substance fluffing out its sides.

The "reading" today was also pretty intriguing. I had several thoughts when looking back at the last two videos that we have watched. First, as in other classes that I have taken, I have been reflecting on what Indiana must have looked like before the glaciers. I can only imagine that it was nice, deep, beautiful river valleys among a grand splendor of mountains. It must have been quite the sight. 

The second video was also very interesting, as I learned about several different species living within our small state. There's so many exotic creatures living among us, and I find it fascinating that we fail to take advantage of this while living our city lives. How incredible is it that Indiana has its own animals, as well as blind crayfish and other blind fish? I never knew. One of the things I was also wondering while watching the movie was why are American Toads most active at night? Why not during the day? I found that they need to seek cover during the day, so they hide until nighttime when they will not be as easily seen when coming out. 

Lastly, I loved the quote at the end of the movie, referring to sand hill cranes and their populations in Indiana. “Their trip also reveals that a good portion of the natural world is alive and well in Indiana, and that with some help, with some sacrifice, it can come rushing back.” I love this, as we need to be more aware of water quality and wetland habitat restoration.