Story of the Day
Fall Homeschool Session 2024
September 10
Thank you as always for sharing your amazing children with us! On our second week together, we typically aim to follow “child’s passions,” or topics and activities kids are naturally drawn to or excited about. We learned about various types of bird language and put on skits for fellow students demonstrating birds in some real life situations (and some creative ones). We played trail games like “Cougar stalks Deer” (a predator and prey activity), and spent time at Otter Slide Hill, one of our favorite work/play spots at The Commons. Some people re-acquainted themselves with hazards such as poison ivy, wild parsnip, and ground nesting bees, and others immersed themselves in imaginative play. Our hike ended at “The Hemlock Grove,” another beloved and favorite spot, with a game of “Camouflage” and our weekly Sit Spots.
Hopefully by now your students have chosen a Sit Spot at or near home to spend time in each day- at least a few minutes, but a few hours is ok too! The idea is to fade into the environment, tune IN with all senses, turn OFF volume and any movement beyond normal breathing, and observe nature “turn back on” when we become still. A rule of thumb: as our awareness increases, so our disturbance decreases.
A Sit Spot should be safe, comfortable, and accessible. Other than that, the sky’s the limit (yes, some people have Sit Spots up in trees!). Perhaps they will share what they’ve learned at HNS (or figured out on their own) with you, and you can begin a Sit Spot practice of your own! That said, some bodies just naturally do not sit still- which is where Nature Journals come in handy. All students have been given a nature journal in which to draw, write, make rubbings, press leaves, or otherwise record things they learn, notice, or wonder about during the day.
Journals are also useful for focusing “fidgety” energy during still times like Sit Spot– they can write or draw or doodle and still remain silent and allow wildlife to feel comfortable enough to “come back out.” If your student(s) brought their Nature Journals home last week, PLEASE help them remember to bring them along this week. We typically collect them all at the end of the day, but some slip home.
Stay hydrated and see you for the last SUMMER week of HNS (Autumnal Equinox officially falls on Sept 22 this year– happy end of summer!).
Thank you!
Michelle
September 17
The threat of some heavy rain delayed the start of our day. We were tricked by the trickster radar, and arrived at not a ground full of water, but full of leaves. The trees had dropped many in the recent wind, and the students were excited to get some leaf jumping underway. Gabby and Zack offered games, while Blase was introducing others to map drawing and using a compass. We joined for our morning circle and shared our gratitude for the day, and then heard a story from Blase about Gary Snyder’s travels in Australia. The story introduced the class to the idea of Song Lines- finding your way to a destination based on a song with clues and hints wrapped up in a story. The Aborigine in the story sang quickly since they were driving in a truck, something new for that culture. Following the story the group hiked to Mullein Hill to play a game called Nutty Squirrels. After lunch they broke up into their groups- Coyotes and Foxes. Each group then divided again and created their own song lines to lead the other team on a treasure hunt. Each group found their treasures and enjoyed the experience. Following this was time for Sit Spot. Please ask your child what they experience during this time of quiet. The hike back meant the day was coming to an end. The group enjoyed their time with orienteering and mapping through song and imagination.
September 24- The direction of the day was the Southwest- with focus on mapping. The threat of some heavy rain delayed the start of our day. We were tricked by the trickster radar, and arrived at not a ground full of water, but full of leaves. The trees had dropped many in the recent wind, and the students were excited to get some leaf jumping underway. Gabby and Zack offered games, while Blase was introducing others to map drawing and using a compass. We joined for our morning circle and shared our gratitude for the day, and then heard a story from Blase about Gary Snyder’s travels in Australia. The story introduced the class to the idea of Song Lines- finding your way to a destination based on a song with clues and hints wrapped up in a story. The Aborigine in the story sang quickly since they were driving in a truck, something new for that culture. Following the story the group hiked to Mullein Hill to play a game called Nutty Squirrels. After lunch they broke up into their groups- Coyotes and Foxes. Each group then divided again and created their own song lines to lead the other team on a treasure hunt. Each group found their treasures and enjoyed the experience. Following this was time for Sit Spot. Please ask your child what they experience during this time of quiet. The hike back meant the day was coming to an end. The group enjoyed their time with orienteering and mapping through song and imagination.
October 1- On our rainy Tuesday morning we gathered for our morning circle under a generous blue spruce tree. Together we crafted up a story about a young lady who joined a sailing guild and learned to sail the world. Speaking of guilds, each instructor introduced to the students a different guild they’d be leading. Then we took an eyes-closed show of hands so instructors could see student’s 1st and 2nd choices for their guild. While instructors sorted things out, the kids played Poison Dart Frog.
Michelle’s team’s name was the Deadly Nightshades, aka the edible/useful plants guild. They made plant observations, collected materials to make tea, leaves to make books, and discovered some good nature paint.
Gabby and Zach merged their guilds into a crafts and shelter guild. They saw a deer soon after they walked into the woods. They walked to the elephant graveyard, where they made the frame of a shelter, had lunch, had a 15-20 minute sit spot, and made beads out of box elder.
Blase’s team’s name was the Wandering Raccoons, aka the adventuring guild. We prepared ourselves with some gear for the day to help us with various roles we took on: field guides of various sorts for learning about the creatures around us, binoculars for bird spotting, a bug hotel for bug catching, a compass for navigation, a story board to collect memories from our day, and bubbles for some extra fun. We learned to use “body radar” to help us wander intuitively and discover new trails and places in the commons. We came to the apple orchard where we had lunch, and played more Poison Dart Frog during free time. We found some wild grapes there, which made perfect fake blood for zombie tag. Counting wild grapes, apples, sumac, and milkweed (though you have to cook it), we found four edible plants there. On our adventure we discovered a new trail on the side of a steep hill with a beautiful view through the autumn tree leaves, climbed up the sandy side of another big hill, and took some time for a sit spot before finding our way back to the barn.
Written by Blase-
October 3– We started the day with a few games, a song called “Laughing”, and our morning circle. We hiked to the field, sliding down a big hill, and played “Oh Deer” when we got there. Then we cooked up a story about an aspiring young Russian man, Nathan, who left his mother Maya’s potato farm to develop his skills at the wood turning guild to learn to make beautiful wooden bowls. Just like Tuesday, we introduced guilds and surveyed interest. After a short game of “Bob the Weasel” we used a magical hat to discover which guild each student would start off in. We headed to base camp for an early lunch and some free play, and got started on our guild work.
In Zack’s fire building guild, students gathered tinder and kindling to start a fire. They started making bow drills that they’ll use to start a fire by hand with no matches or lighter. Some even roasted some pepperoni and carrots.
In Gabby’s crafting guild, students created a wide array of goods: jewelry, fishing rods, bows, and arrows just to name a few. Some practiced making cordage to help with things like fishing rods and bows.
The guilds were semi-permeable. Some first made their fishing poles with Gabby, then went with Blase’s adventuring guild to put them to use. Some of the crafters also made maps like some of the adventurers did. We took two hikes along two of the trails at the Optimist Club, the Maple Loop and the Cedar Loop, crossing (and once building) many bridges across the creek along the way. We encountered birds, mushrooms, trees, and berries, sharing and learning some new names and things about these friends. Also we happened upon some animal bones, and took some beautiful leaf rubbings.
Written by Blase-
October 15
The day started off nicely. Everyone sang a song to start off our morning circle. Then we all split up into guilds. Three of them met up at Otter’s Slide Hill- Fire Guild, Craft Guild, and Adventure Guild. The Useful Plant Guild spent most of the day foraging and laying trail games, then returned to HQ to make a salve and lip balm to take home. They used beeswax and plantain oil that they made on site. The Fire Guild made bow drills and practiced how to start a fire. The Adventure Guild explored and then met up with Gabby’s group to build a shelter. During free time there was a fun game that involved cats and other animals. At lunch a wool blanket was laid in the shelter, and it was voted to be called “The Mother Den”. There was a peaceful chatter at lunch. When done, Gabby’s craft guild worked on the shelter with the help of the other guilds.
Written by Catherine and Michelle
October 22
Hey Friends!
Last Tuesday was another gorgeous, colorful day– the most popular activity all day was piling leaves and leaping/falling in to the piles. So much joy in jumping into crunchy, colorful fall leaves!!! (Kinesthetic physics lessons of the day included friction, momentum, compression, static electricity, acceleration, and deceleration.)
We also managed to squeeze in a few other activities– the Foxes and the Coyotes (youngers and olders) both loved the Blindfolded Caterpillar game. Each student, wearing a blindfold, was a segment of a caterpillar’s body. Another, seeing student was the “attractor” or noise maker. The head of the caterpillar (front of the line) had to lead the body (each student had their hands on the shoulders of the person in front of them) toward the sound, all the while verbally sharing info about the terrain– ” Big log! Brambles! Steep downhill slope!”– to try to reach the noise maker. The noise makers got to lead the caterpillars on some very hairy routes!
Other activities included Sit Spots, trail (walking) games, leaf chain braiding, and a giant group game of Capture the Flag to close out the day.
Also, the take home challenge was to learn about the oldest member of their family, either living or dead. If possible, interview the oldest living relative. Get their stories (Where were they born? Where did they come from to get to here? What has their life been like?). IF not, interview any older family member, either about themselves OR what they know about the oldest family member. This week is a community theme, and we start by thinking about our personal communities– our gut flora and fauna, our immediate households, our larger human community, branching out to the ecological community we are all a part of.
Reminders for being prepared- It’s FALL– meaning temps are dropping, soggy, cold days are ahead, and who knows, we may even see the first snowflakes before fall session is over. Your kids have heard this, but here’s an adult reminder: Send kids dressed for the weather! A warm, dry, well fed, well hydrated person is a much happier person than a cold, wet, hungry, thirsty person. Get those physical needs well taken care of so your kids are fee to delve into exploration and wonder fully, without worrying about comfort.
Guidelines:
1. DRESS IN LAYERS: a next-to-skin layer of WOOL, SILK, or SYNTHETIC fiber (not cotton,which will not keep your child warm if it gets wet), followed by a mid layer of wool or synthetic, topped with a waterproof, windproof outer layer (rain coat and rain pants=ideal). Extra mid layers are optional/should be considered on cold days. WOOL SOCKS are a great friend in cold, damp weather. Synthetic is next best- NOT cotton socks (See above). WATERPROOF FOOT WEAR, ideally insulated boots, is a must this time of year. If your child has no waterproof foot wear, send an extra pair of shoes/boots and extra socks. And/or please ask! Among our families are lots of potential hand-me-downs– and we all benefit when everyone is comfortable.
2. A THERMOS for warm beverages and/or warm food makes all-day exploration way more fun this time of year. We walk and play hard enough that any/all lunch is enjoyed, but it’s really a good morale-booster to open a steaming mug of tea or soup on a see-your-breath day.
3. CHECK WEATHER PREDICTIONS the morning of. Obviously meteorology is imperfect, but we really like this one for hour-to-hour info: Traverse City, MI Hourly Weather Forecast | Weather Underground Their “hourly” and “10-day” forecasts are as good as any I’ve seen. We’ll send out a morning alert if programs are canceled or delayed, but the hourly forecast can really help knowing how MANY extra pairs of socks to pack or whether to wear the rainpants or heavy waterproof winter coat.
We look forward to a fun day tomorrow!
Take Care,
Sarah and Michelle
Story of the Day October 29
By Audra
Northwest- Reflect
Today was a warm October day. Paints were set out for a morning craft and Zach anc Gabby led a few games. Then we were called over for a morning circle and we shared our gratitudes. We had an elder, Tricia, come and tell us a story about Day of the Dead and teach us a song. After, we had a bathroom break, filled up water bottles and split into our groups.
The older kids (to be honest I do not know what the younger kids did) went into the Fairy Forest and sat in the Eagle’s Nest. We headed off to meet the other group at the Spring for lunch. After lunch we had a small bit of free play and a few kids organized a game all on their own.
Then we had a teacher led game, which was about the web of an ecosystem called “Web of Life” When done, we split into our groups again and our group headed to a clearing. That is where we had our sit spot. When we were all summoned by the coyote call, we played a game. Three words to describe that game are” Blind folds drum.” We followed the beat of a drum while being blindfolded.
Then we hiked back to join the other group for a circle and shared our apples and onions of the day. We ended the day with a howl!
Take-Home Challenge
Go to your sit spot at least once this week
Notes for parents
We love seeing kids bring juice, cider, tea, and that sort of thing! But we also recommend bringing water for full hydration.
Story of the Day Oct 31, 2024 By Blase
Northwest- Reflect
We did two sensory awareness activities: Blindfold Drum Stalk and Silent Stalker. Both are very quiet, where one or all of the kids are blindfolded. They have to tune into and practice their other senses: touch, hearing, sometimes even a sixth sense. They then have a chance to reflect on and share their experiences afterwards. The spooky tone also went nicely with Halloween.
Our Halloween treat-hunt organized by Sarah was a hoot!
Some notable stories:
With a grill and frying pan thanks to parents, Grayson & Ian roasted a grilled cheese & hotdog over the fire.
Audra braided her own fox tail out of fallen leaves.
Grayson got his glow stick stuck way up in a tree, but with some help and a long stick he got it back. Olin wasn’t so lucky, his was way up even higher.
Olin moved faster than lightning to get his brother’s bag out of the creek!
Take-Home Challenge
Go to your sit spot at least once this week
Notes for parents
We love seeing kids bring juice, cider, tea, and that sort of thing! But we also recommend bringing water for full hydration.
