When I was in Singapore in December, I marvelled at how lovely it was that everyone was outside, even late at night, during week nights. All over the city you could see people sitting on benches talking, eating together, strolling down promenades, sitting out and overlooking beautiful Marina Bay or having a refreshing drink outside. I saw…Continue reading →

A shorter blog for a shorter week, but a big main idea: thanks to the Family Day weekend, and, hot on it’s heels, Valentines Day, I have been thinking a lot about authenticity. I have fond childhood memories of celebrating Valentines Day at school: certainly there was the chore of printing out classmates names, but…Continue reading →

It Sifts from Leaden Sieves, a poem about snow by Emily Dickinson. It sifts from leaden sieves, It powders all the wood, It fills with alabaster wool The wrinkles of the road. It makes an even face Of mountain and of plain, — Unbroken forehead from the east Unto the east again. It reaches to…Continue reading →

During Lunar New Year, we encountered some visitors to the park who were very intrigued to see the children organizing themselves at snack time: laying out the tarp and wash stations, finding snack bags and settling down to eat together. While we declined their invitation for a group photo, we just couldn’t resist a pic…Continue reading →

There are truly no words to describe the energy from yesterday’s Family Cooking Class, Italian Day! It was a special event- bringing our families together, the very young to the more experienced, to learn, cook and eat was an exceptionally rewarding experience. Our bellies and even more importantly, our souls, are all filled up! Check out…Continue reading →

A joyous week…Lunar New Year Celebrations, the arrival of a very generous donation from West Coast Seeds , playing, cuddling, and exploring our hearts and our minds. Wishing you all a prosperous, healthy and happy year! Emily

Emily’s post of last week, “Encounters”, has had me thinking about a word that represents my own intentions for this New Year of 2017.  In this, our third year of operating Terra Nova Nature School, I am enjoying a feeling of ‘finding our feet’ – we operate with proven systems and routines; we have names…Continue reading →

Encounter–this word has been swirling though my mind as we enter a new year. In the past fews years, inspired by others, I have chosen a word that will support setting an intention for the upcoming year.  Influenced by one of my mentors, I have been thinking a lot about encounters. I am interested in…Continue reading →

  Learning to use tools such as mallets, pegs, sticks, and tongs is tricky with mittens on, but very engaging!  Many children were interested in finding ice in various shapes and formations.  Ken and Yohan learned about the trapezoid!   Finding ways to travel across the land challenged our gross motor skills! Having some quiet…Continue reading →

A week of celebration: of honouring our traditions, welcoming community, and enjoying this special place of Terra Nova, Richmond. “Our goal is to build an amiable school, where children, teachers and families feel at home. Such a school requires careful thinking and planning concerning procedures, motivations and interests. It must embody ways of getting along…Continue reading →

This week’s snowfall gifted us with many opportunities for exploring new materials, consequences, ideas, and strategies.  Frozen puddles were fun for smashing with our boots, until we discovered that stinky mud still lurked beneath!  Children declared “Let’s skate on the ‘lake’! Can ice be eaten, and how did those bubbles get caught in there?” We…Continue reading →

At our last team meeting, Heidi shared an observation that was thought provoking for all of us. Most days, but certainly not all, we bring quite a lot of equipment with us; scarves. play dishes, working tools, ropes etc. She noticed that once we stop our wagon to settle in a play space, the children madly…Continue reading →

A theme of ‘finding balance’ has emerged for me as I look through photographs from last week (and a few from the week before that I just couldn’t leave out!).  Throughout a school day, every educator faces numerous choices as we observe, scaffold, direct and re-direct the children in their behaviours and activities.  What are…Continue reading →