nature explorers: quiet spots

Our Nature Explorers had a field trip to the Huron Natural Area this week. One thing that we did together was "quiet spots." Some people call these "sit spots" or "magic spots." 

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. 

When 5 minutes were over, I made a hooting owl sound. 5 out of 6 participants begged for more "quiet spot time." So how could I refuse?

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. 

Fall: seriously, is there anything more glorious than the changing of leaves? We marvelled at the many colours of water this week, because of the reflections (not one of them was blue!): red, orange, yellow, yellowish-green, dark green, light green, grey, white, black, greenish-black.