On Tuesday October 5, we joined the Adventure Day class @ SPL"s young 5s program. This class meets 1X/week and is similar to the outdoor preschool that SPL attended the last 2 years: they go to unmanicured parks in the area and discover/study nature.
They start the day with a bird of the day and 2 plants of the day, plus a mapping exercise so they know where they are in space. Tuesday's bird was the blue jay and I can only remember 1 plant, the CA wild oat (which, I learned from Teacher Marie, is the plant that gives the fields the golden color & subsequently the state's nickname the "Golden State" but interestingly enough, is not a native plant).
SPL was clearly in his element and took on some leadership roles explaining to parents and kids alike how to tell what is and isn't poison oak. He also is a very confident tree climber (thanks to Tender Tracks friends Shayna and Gavin from last year for their inspiration!) and lead some expeditions up different trees.
Teachers Marie and Tim (his regular Young 5s teachers) also lead this class so it's great to see them 4X/week now. Both are very knowledgeable about the area and approach the outdoors with a science lens that I appreciate.
Plus I get to go with them each Tuesday so that's a bonus! :-)
Highlights from this week:
-- holding a lizard and then
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for larva, bugs, and other "critters"
-- seeing a buck
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-- climbing trees
Looking forward to more adventures.