10/09/2026
After just a couple sessions of gathering, this season's Spruce & Saplings co-op families have created a relaxed and engaging rythm for learning outdoors together.
We started off with play and exploration outdoors, sharing circles, an invitation to learn about pollinators, and window painting to keep migrating birds safe as they travel. Families had so many ideas about what they wanted to share and discover together, that by session two, we were already on a roll.
We enjoyed apple math challenges, pressed juice from families' apple trees, crafted apple hedgehogs and clay creatures, read together, and enjoyed building structures. Children created obstacle courses with large loose parts and build forts near the trees.
During weekly idea sharing, families expressed their desire to pursue nature studies inspired by the weather, environmental concerns, and seasonal changes. A few parents shared their love books, and this led to the suggestion of doing a book study. Children asked to host a teddy bear picnic and serve tea--every week. One child loves fixing broken toy vehicles with his daddy. So he asked if he could borrow old toys to fix or modify. So now each week families get to support his passion and problem solving by inviting him to share it with us. It's wonderful to see how honoring natural curiosity and the things that interest individuals can grow into really passionate learning for them as well as meaningful engagement for others too!
Each family received a copy of the book "Professor Figgy's Weather & Climate Science Lab for Kids" to support co-op activity planning and continued inquiry and learning at home as it suits them.
Week three we started our weather investigation with an introduction to clouds. We offered cloud viewers, sensory painting, and a vapour experiment. We got to practice recognizing weather patterns by reading the clouds and predicting the weather. All around us the sky had different clouds. We got to enjoy a mixture of sunshine, cloud, and rain throughout the afternoon.
An especially exciting part of this week's co-op session was the start of our book study "Heartwood Hotel." During snack time, chapter one was read aloud to those who want to listen. We had our first teddy bear picnic with teas and real tea cups and treats!
Each week, children will get to bring their favourite mug/cup, make their choice of warm beverage to savour alongside their snacks from home. They can choose to bring a stuffy or doll from home to accompany them while listening to the chapter book read aloud. Those who wish to stay will get to be part of a group discussion and activity connecting the book to literature skills and nature study. Children who opt out can pursue other interests through play. The families who want to will get to work through their copy of the beautifully designed curriculum by Canadian creator Books and Willows
Children were invited to participate in a multi-week project on decomposition that we will observe over the next months. They made individual compost jars with different materials and were introduced to decayers with the first section of the book "Rotten" . It didn't take long for us to notice how insects around us were already on the job doing some of the "yucky" but important work of breaking things down into tiny puzzle pieces that nature will use to build something new. (Rotting apples. Decaying birds.)
We ended the session with group games in the pavilion to keep us moving and our bodies regulated while it rained.
Each week the land will offer more to witness and teach us as we take our learning outdoors. More noticing, exploring, and playing. More stories to tell and books to read. Another tea party with real tea cups. A safe community for connection and growing social skills. More science and art and movement as we invite the group to explore wind, learn about fossils, and play outdoors together. More caring for each other as we also take care of the land. What a wonderful way to learn!
- Ms. Vikki
