What do you get when you take kindergarten and first graders sledding on a very icy hill? Comic relief and crazy fun. The comic relief came from the kids trying to climb up the icy hill. They’d get so far and then fall down. We all laughed. I actually think the kids liked the […]
Crazy Fun Ice Sledding Read More »
It’s always inspiring to see bald eagles in their natural habitat. It’s especially inspiring to give kids that experience. Each winter, we have a great opportunity to see bald eagles just 40 minutes from Madison in Sauk City. The birds migrate from the north, where lakes are frozen, to feed in the open waters just
Eagle Watching in Sauk City: January 16, 2010 Read More »
This is the first installment of my comments about the book: Last child in the woods: Saving our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv. About 6 months into my job, a volunteer said, “So, you’ve probably read about Richard Louv, right?” I hadn’t. He told me a little about him and I Googled
Last child in the woods: Part 1-Nature Deficit Disorder Read More »
I have finally started to read Richard Louv’s seminal book: Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder (2005). I feel like I have enough experience now to place his book in context. This is an important book and I’m looking forward to reading it and posting my thoughts here.
Last child in the woods: Reading Louv’s book Read More »
It’s important to get outside even on cold days. Teaching kids how to dress for cold weather is a great skill to have. Too many people stay inside all winter. Meanwhile, there’s a world of ice and snow ready to explore. Today, Four hearty kids and three adults went on a walk in the frozen
Winter Tracks on a Cold Day Read More »
Sledding is a blast in part because it’s just a little bit dangerous. Today, the hill at Olbrich Park was well worn, pock marked and icy. Half of our 11 kids stayed on the steep part of the hill, while the other half stayed on the gentler side. After one run down the steep side,
Sledding, Nose Bleeds and knowing when it’s time to go Read More »
The spring house at Blue Mound State Park is a pre-park relic. All that remains is the 8 x 10 x 4 foot concrete foundation, built by John Minix, the former landowner at the park. The spring once provided water for native people, farmers, and for the swimming pool, located just downstream. This was a
Frogs in the Spring House & other Tales from Blue Mound State Park Read More »
I love to skate and got to share this passion with kids at Hartmeyer Ice Arena last week. Me and two other teachers had 14 kids from ages 5 to 10 years old. Many had never skated before. Here’s the story. Choosing the right skates Naturally, all the boys wanted hockey skates, since that’s what Zach,
“I can’t stay up!” Figure skates prove a better choice for first-time skaters. Read More »
What do you call a fishing pier that’s on land for the winter? The Polar Express, a ship, and a ferry. On a trip to Lake Farm Park, I thought that most of the Kindergarten and first graders would have rushed to the water. But, they didn’t. Instead, they immediately jumped on a massive pier, in three pieces, now setting on land for the winter.
The Polar Express: Creative Play at Lake Farm Park Read More »
Kids discover a snapping turtle and garter snake at Cherokee Marsh on warm, windy and wet October day. By Diane Schwartz, October 31, 2009.
Halloween Hike: Snapping Turtle & Garter Snake Read More »
