Forest Fridays

Young scientists make observations that help define earth.
They observe a toad as if it is the fist time they have seen one.

Recess in the forest allows plenty of time to play in the stream.

We spend Friday afternoon in the forest. We go directly after lunch for recess and then stay for some work. Recently we used the time to think about metaphors for community.

A good community is like....

• ants
• bees
• dolphins
• trees
• rain
• water
• the whole world fits together in a community
• leaves
• human body

As I looked over their analogies I noticed the majority of their answers were something found in nature. It was not surprising. We had done our thinking in the woods, after all. But I also couldn't ignore how an understanding of the natural world brings insight. It reminded me of the value of time in the wild to touch and smell and feel all of the experiences we can then connect to other ideas.

"Rain is like a community because each drop is like the little individual. We all come together to form streams and rivers. When water drops are together they can accomplish a lot of important jobs like cleaning things, watering plants and for drinking. The group of water drops can do a lot of good."