Tools, Toads, Teamwork, and an Impromptu Concert

September 25, 2018September 25, 2018 woodsandwetlands

The kids wanted to continue their, “work,” from last week, which involved carrying large branches over to the benches and utilizing a variety of strategies for breaking them.

L. uses our magnifier to look closely at slugs and, later, soil.

With all the rain we have had there are amazing fungi springing up all over the place! I spent some time with Z’s mushroom book trying to identify this one. Possibly it is Scaly Inky Cap in clusters? The names of mushrooms are fascinating and amusing! I learned that one type we saw frequently last year in the woods behind Lakes is called, “Leafy Jelly Fungus.”

The evolution of tools! T. made his own, “saw,” and kids took turns exerting a huge amount of physical effort to work their way through this branch with it. The friction created heat that we could feel with our hands on the branch.

Z. uses the vine bark rope we made last week to haul branches around.

I used a stick to draw a spider on the underside of this shelf mushroom which I believe is called, “Artist’s Konk,” because it is easy to draw on these with any type of scratchy point or even a fingernail!

L. and Z. inspect the Artist’s Konk and add their own markings.

The vine bark rope makes a nice spear holster too.

More funky fungi!

Z. enjoyed some alone time in the Vine Village. Sometimes it just feels good and peaceful to be alone and quiet in nature.

L. is sharing the toads they put inside this critter magnifier. Through the side viewer we can see the bottom of anything sitting in there.

Toad belly and legs!

Hello Toad!

She’s a koala!

Meditation Rock.

Two toads and a mosquito! J. and L. worked hard to catch but not kill a mosquito to put inside for them to eat.

It is important to let the animals go where they were found or in a place where they are less likely to get stepped on.

We freed this tree from the branches that held it pinned down.

After a time, all the kids got involved in practicing and performing, “a concert.”

Drums, mostly…

L. and J. took turns interviewing each other and making announcements into their, “microphones,” about the ongoing concert. They interviewed me as well!

What a great concert venue!

I showed a few of the kids how my “old fashioned” compass works differently than theirs.

Drumming on rocks, benches, and branches creates different sounds.

Published by woodsandwetlands

I am an and outdoor educator with a master's in early childhood development. I taught elementary school for 20 years and now own Woods and Wetlands LLC, offering programs for local children to engage in nature study through play and exploration-based learning. My programs are all outdoors in whatever "wild" spaces are available. I live in Rockford, Michigan with my husband, dog, and three cats. My unique, therapeutic, one and a half hour programs help children to connect with the natural world and with themselves. View all posts by woodsandwetlands

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