We each picked a spot to sit quietly, with a clipboard and pencil in hand (if needed). I told the group that we would start with 5 minutes of quiet, and then check in.
It is an amazing thing to watch young children sit quietly in nature - writing, drawing, or just enjoying the sounds and sights around them. Slowing down, breathing, and noticing little details.
Quiet time seems to be in short supply in our lives today: our moments are filled with noise of one type or another. To sit in silence by a still pond is indeed a treat.
Several asked, "Can we PLEASE do quiet spots again next week?"
Then we went with nets in hands to see what we could find in the pond: dragonfly larvae, damselfly larvae, pond snails, water boatmen, frogs, and turtles.