Outdoor Nov 13

We began our day inside today with our morning circle and sit spot and enjoyed the opportunity to move freely, stretch and rest without feeling chilly.

Our focus today was on our ancestors and the Medicine Wheel. We read a part of our book "Sharing Circle" and older students noticed that we have learned all about these topics at school! We looked at all of our Medicine Wheel items: the Four Directions Log, our posters for each direction and our symbol for Faith. We noticed that the South and West quadrants did not match up, so we looked it up in the book we were reading and made it all match up. We connected the sacred medicines Tobacco (Sema), Cedar, Sage and Sweetgrass to the Four Directions and discussed the seasons as well. Afterward, we re/learned how to smudge with sage and the reasons why. Today we added a part of our smudging for our future children by bringing the smoke to our sacral region. It's never too early to connect with our descendants ❤

On our first hike of the day we went out looking for grape vines so we could make our own medicine wheels for a craft in the afternoon. Students identified we needed to head South to find grapevines based on their memories of when we turned our tongues purple earlier in the year. As we walked students identified Black Locust (we learned that we cannot use the leaves to make tea because the leaves and bark are poisonous to humans and other animals), Goldenrod, Dogwood (red bark), Willow, Coltsfoot, Fleabane, Spruce, Wild Rose, Rosehips, and finally Wild Grape Vine. We even found some grapes that were still hanging around. Oakley and Mila said they were very sweet! We noticed some trees that we had said goodbye to previous had been removed, students spent time playing in the snow and at the skatepark sliding down the walls all together.

After lunch, we headed back out to play at the playground and forage some items to share at the end of the day. Upon returning, each student chose a Grape Vine hoop to decorate and take home as their very own Medicine Wheel.

We ended our day with sharing board and outside playtime until parents arrived. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!