Fresh Fruit 'F' Day with Mrs. Nachtigal

Every “F” day Mrs. Nachtigal’s K-1 class has Fresh Fruit F day. The kids love exploring a new fruit each “F” day. This week the class was able to use their math skills in cutting up apples (1/2, ¼, 1/8) science / observation skills (what happens to the apples when heated), and some good old elbow grease turning the press, to turn a bushel of apples in yummy warm applesauce! 

It was quite magical eating the applesauce out in the courtyard sun, with lots of newly hatched painted-lady butterflies (fairies) flitting around as they read The Little House in the Fairy Wood.

 Fresh Fruit Days are becoming the favorite days of the week!

Turtle Trail

Mr. Kirschke's PIE 4/5 class went on a hike through Turtle Trail on the Sanfordville school property this week.  The trail had been created by Green Peas Club and past PIE classes, but had become overgrown with pricker bushes and poison ivy.  Some parents have been helping to fix it up.  Mr. Kirschke's and Mrs. Canevari's classes are going to design and make trail blazes to tack on trees.  They are also going to mark the trail with sign posts so that everyone will be able to follow and use the trail.  

The trail is going to be left as natural as possible, with obstacles such as large fallen trees left in place for climbing on.  Along the trail, there are many species of trees that the kids will identify and mark.  A grove of bent over Hornbeam Trees helps frame out a space where a small outside room will be created. 

The trail winds along the Wawayanda Creek, where turtles and birds are often seen, as well as evidence of beavers.  There are many interesting things for kids to observe, such as a fallen Maple Tree lying on the ground with it's roots in the stream bank. The tree is now growing sideways and it's branches are full size trees.