Autumn Saplings Educational Services

It’s hard to believe that we’ve already reached the end of our homeschool programming for the year!

🌳 We had a great time at our final Forest family Monday session. We had 23 kids gather to explore and play in the forest before personalizing bags with paint markers or exploring with chlorophyll designs.

🎯 Our Wednesday pod celebrated their final week with a games day - starting in the backyard and ending with child-created and led games in the forest.

🐟 Our Thursday group was so excited to end their year with a beautiful beach day to see the lake fish restock.

It was a week of excitement that filled our cups through connection and experiences with friends and nature. From the smiles and laughter to spontaneous group hugs and begging for near future play dates, I am left feeling so incredibly grateful for this community - for each and every family and participant who has come out to meet us, to explore, play and learn together: every one of you have helped to make our homeschooling journey more meaningful and valuable, helping the vision we have for our kids come more to fruition. This community has become a cornerstone of our homeschooling experience and a source of encouragement, connection, and joy. Thank you for being part of it—we are so fortunate to be learning and growing alongside you. 💚💙🩵

Big truck day in Okotoks is always so exciting!

The kids get to see heavy equipment up close and even hop in and explore what it would be like to operate one. Grateful for the opportunity to take the pod kids here!

We’ve been talking all about birds - with a focus on migratory birds right now.

(On Wednesday we read about hummingbirds, discussed migratory patterns and native birds, recorded migration routes on a map, and did a “choose your own adventure” migration activity in the forest…. As well as spotted the great horned owl, and a “crime scene” where he plucked a red winged blackbird.)

Here are some great FREE resources and book recommendations:

Migratory bird bingo (Alberta):

https://naturealberta.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/NA-Mag-Fall-2021_Bird-Bingo.pdf

Mapping migration activity:

https://www.birdscanada.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Migration-Mapping.pdf

Migratory bird lesson plan:

https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2026/eccc/en4/En4-764-2025-eng.pdf

How to draw a hummingbird resources:

https://christineelder.com/draw-a-hummingbird/

Forest family Monday, with a totally transformed forest! We loved the bright green canopy, dark green grass, and even spotted some wildflowers!

Just a reminder that there is no forest session this Monday. Enjoy your long weekend, Forest families! 💚🩵

SE Calgary friends: you’ll want to check out this playground! The kids had a blast here today and gave it 5/5 ⭐️ for their review. They have 3 separate play structures including one really cool climbing structure, a cool rocking boat, and lots of musical play features. We can’t wait to go back when the splash park is open!

The pod kids got to hang out with the chicks yesterday! This has been a great experience. Learning about the chicken lifecycle and needs has been great, but watching them handle with care was my favourite part - some going outside their comfort zone and overcoming their nerves and fear 🐥 💛

👀 These kids NOTICE.
💙💚And they care.

🐿️ Some of the older boys found some baby squirrels at the start of session - one that was quite active and curious about us, but another that seemed injured and stressed. We called the Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society who asked for an update on a couple hours, then said they would send a crew out.

They spent the session playing army, ever “protecting” the squirrels from predators above. We read “Much Too Busy” by John Bond, about a busy Pigeon who got lost in his way to do important work but recruited the help of a mouse who couldn’t help but NOTICE the shape of the clouds, cool rocks, beautiful feathers, helping Pigeon to slow down and see the beauty around him! The kids decorated cloth zip up bags for their forest finds as I read “What’s In Your Pocket” by Heather L Montgomery, which introduces many scientists who started off noticing (then often, collecting) the natural world around them.

I loved today for the learning and experiencing. Our small but mighty forest is home to so many critters and creatures - and through their play and exploration, our curious kids are noticing. Thank you families for joining us today 💕🐿️

About 20 degrees cooler than last week, but just as much fun! Fewer insects but lots of bird spotting today, along with climbing, balancing, and fort repair work.

While I didn’t think I would be bringing hot chocolate to sessions this late into April, it seemed to be a welcomed warm up treat during storytime, before decorating a bird figure or heading out in search of hidden puzzle pieces.

Thank you to everyone who spent the morning exploring with us! Forever grateful for your company and connection. You are what makes each week exciting, different, and fun 🩵💚

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXkrBlWD6XX/?igsh=anIzNHp3Z2xoMDh1

As our first year comes to a close, we’re becoming more clear and confident in what we offer 🤍 This is a space built on connection and valuable shared experiences. While I’m a certified teacher and happy to support with curriculum and learning guidance (just ask!!) our pod days are not focused on rigid outcomes—they’re rooted in community, play, and meaningful learning experiences. We’re so grateful for the families who have grown alongside us this year 🌿 If this kind of space resonates with your family, we’re always open to connecting and sharing more. #yyc #homeschool #outdoorkids #letkidsbekids #community