Perhaps the perfect morning for outdoor science learning. Warm temps, light (ok, a few flakes) snow, great friends, and a snow covered ground were the perfect ingredients for learning at Harrison Field/Forest. Morning meeting exploration, discussion, and activity gave students an opportunity to learn about animal gaits - the patterned movement generally seen in animals. We learned animals move in four ways - hop, waddle, walk, or bound. The lesson focused on looking at tracks to see how animals move, and how we can look closely at their tracks to identify the type of animal and how it moves. INQUIRE with your child about which way their own Vermont animal moves. Perhaps they can share a few examples of other animals that move in different ways. Can they model the movement for you? Most children will be be able to teach you all about how animals move - after spending the day acting like different animals. As we became nature detectives, we not only looked for tracks but became the animal - moving around the forest in particular ways. Animal tracks led us in and out and around the forest, discussing where they might be going and why - many thoughts were around finding water, shelter, and staying safe to survive the cold. Students also played "Animal, Animal, Show me Your Moves," a similar game to fishy fishy, but with animal movement the focus. Back in the classroom, students reflected on their observations and questions they had, and recorded their thinking in their science journal. At choice time, students even used stamps to make animal tracks and recreated pictures of Harrison Forest.
