“There is no description, no image in any book that is capable of replacing the sight of real trees, and all the life to be found around them, in a real forest. Something emanates from those trees which speaks to the soul, something no book, no museum is capable of giving.” -Maria Montessori
This week’s blog post has some fantastic contributors! Our guest photographer, Noya, took photos of the pond study, and each student wrote about their experience at Nature’s Classroom. They teamed up with classmates to write short descriptions of some of our activities while we were there. I hope you enjoy hearing directly from the children! 🙂
It’s Electric
The lights, the plasma balls, the dueling vandigraphs get ready, it’s electric! Our upper el class just got back from our overnight Nature’s Classroom field trip. During this class, everyone loved it! We used plasma balls and shorted them out with our hands, cheeks, and hair. James, Luke, and Lily, Kaliegh, and Dante together made a human battery, and Aya, Violet, and Nina made one too. We also used the plasma balls to make a light bulb light up.
It’s Electric II
It’s Electric is a class where we learned about electricity. We grounded (drained energy from) plasma balls by touching them with our hands until they turned off. When we removed our hands, they turned back on. We were also able to turn on light bulbs just by holding them close to the plasma ball. I had a really fun time!
Ort Report
The Ort report is where we make up a dance, it could be the Macarena, doing the scuba, etc. Sometimes it can be VERY embarrassing. We all get to make it up, and Mrs. Sankey usually videos it unless we don’t want her to. The song goes: Ooh, ahh, the ort report, I said, ooh, ahh, ort report! Shakey, shakey, shakey! Ooh, ahh, the ort report! I said, ooh, ahh, ort report! Yeah! (*Jazz hands.*)
Mealtime
During each meal, we had a positive share and a silly question. One of the Nature’s Classroom staff members chooses three children to go up and share a positive experience and answer a silly question that the staff member comes up with. For example, a silly question could be, “If you could fill the lake up with anything, what would it be?” Answering the silly questions and saying your positive share is very fun!
One Way System
The one way system is a rule we follow at Nature’s Classroom! If you are sitting at your table and you want to get something from the salad bar or cereal bar, you get up and walk all the way around all of the tables to get there! On the salad/cereal bar, it says, “ONE WAY SYSTEM,” so people follow the rules. On the way back, you don’t go the way you came; you keep walking the circle until you get to your table.
Waitrons
A waitron is a person who sets the table 15 minutes before a meal. Once everyone is inside the dining hall, the waitron brings the food on a platter to their table for family-style sharing with their friends.
Whale Watch
The Whale Watch is a team-building exercise that involves keeping your balance using teamwork. You use a wooden board with a fulcrum under it. You try to keep it steady by balancing it with the whole class’s weight. We did it with an even number of people on the board and an even number of people on the sides, and it was steady at the end.
Nature’s Classroom was an unforgettable experience. It is always the best part of the school year. Students realize their strengths, make connections, strengthen their friendships, and learn real-life lessons. Getting away from technology and back to nature is so valuable for all of us. What a pleasure to spend three days in the woods with these amazing humans!
Upcoming Dates & Spirit Week Details!
- Monday:
- Field Day – Students have school-issued t-shirts at school to wear
- 4:00 – Variety Show!
- Tuesday:
- Pajama Day & Spa Day – Wear PJs, bring your pillow and a stuffed animal. We will also make face masks, paint nails (optional of course), and pamper ourselves.
- Wednesday:
- Beach Day – Wear your favorite beachy attire and accessories.
- Thursday:
- Unconventional Container Day – Bring your stuff in something else! (For example, a suitcase instead of a backpack or Tupperware instead of a water bottle.) Be creative!
- Friday:
- Moving Up Day – Wear Fraser Woods colors or merch!
- 10:00 – Moving up ceremony for families of students moving to the next level.
- 11:30 – Early dismissal
