Slowing down; we try to do just that each day. The background work of course is not slow- how can it be when there are many children and families to think about, program planning to be done, housekeeping in the Cottage to upkeep, documentation to be organized and written, ideas to be shared and implemented…Continue reading →

The sun was absolutely wonderful this week, filling everyone with an energy and excitement that only comes from its rays! We spent almost all our time outside this week, shedding layers of our clothing and frolicking on the land. Enjoy the snapshots of our week together. Both the Eagle and the Owls learn about sit…Continue reading →

Maybe it was the sunshine, maybe it was the settled feeling I had this week, maybe it was just me looking around attentively, but there were so many moments this week when I was literally overcome with appreciation– for this land, these children, our team, the Cottage and our partners. We are so very blessed…Continue reading →

We do a lot of “looking” at Nature School. Each day we hear children loudly exclaim “Look!” Whether it is outside or inside, children invite you to look with them; either at something that interests them or something they have created and want to proudly show you. The instinct to share and delight in looking…Continue reading →

I saw a lot of smiles and heard a lot of laughter this week. I heard old school jokes being shared, funny stories being told, amusing noises coming from the depth of their bodies and gibberish that evoked crazy laughter. I am learning each day from these smart and engaging young children but one of…Continue reading →

The rain fell from the sky. A lot. The photos below do not reflect these days because my camera and rain are not on speaking terms but we did indeed face many downpours. It was delightful–honestly. Children loved splashing in the puddles, used the water to make soup and other potions and learned how to…Continue reading →

Our minds and spirits are all filled up from the two workshops we attended! We are feeling amazingly inspired and all agree we are on the right pathways in terms of our teaching and curriculum but wow, we have lots of exciting work to do ahead! We met some incredible educators who are doing innovative and…Continue reading →

Finding… this is something we do everyday, both in a concrete sense and an abstract one. We find treasures from the land- branches, feathers, stones, vegetables, grass stalks, clovers and many other gifts. But we also find other things like knowledge of the land and an awareness of ourselves. Each day our work encompasses finding…Continue reading →

‘Till the next post, Emily

It was a splendid week indeed as we begin to feel more settled into each other’s rhythms and Nature School routines. Slowly we can see the new students breathe easier as they become more familiar with everything. The returning students are exploring who they have grown into over the summer and re-establishing their old friendships…Continue reading →

Truly, there is nothing quite like the excitement of digging up potatoes! Each one is like a found treasure! The moment of seeing the skin, the brushing aside of the moist soil to reveal its beauty, the careful digging around its shape so as not to cut into its flesh, and the removal of the…Continue reading →

The first week of preschool is always interesting; returning students often feel excited and shy about seeing everyone, sad that their graduating friends are no longer here, cautious, and energetic. The new students feel much the same although everything is new. Imagine being in a whole new place with all new people and you are…Continue reading →

Garlic…perhaps not the most typical analogy to begin a school year but as I began to clean the bulbs today, I could not help but think of these bulbs as our Nature School children.  We care for them; we try to understand what makes them happy and grow well; we hope they develop strong roots…Continue reading →