Wheeler Wildlife Preserve

Here was nature study at its best...

We went to the Wheeler Wildlife Preserve in Decatur today. Though we saw a short film about the 500 or so wildlife preserves in the U.S., and met a red-tailed hawk named "Hawkeye" (ask your children what Hawkeye taught them!), most of the time was spent...

...out of doors...

and in quiet and careful observation...

(During the winter, Wheeler is home to 1000's of migratory waterfowl.)

And then drawing out those observations in nature journals...

An Evening of Light...

We captured some images from our school celebration on January 6th. The feast of Epiphany is one of the oldest Christian remembrances, even pre-dating Christmas traditions. The children are dressed in royal robes as they lead our guests in readings and songs.

The Creche

What can I give him,

Poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd

I would bring a lamb,

If I were a wise man

I would do my part,

Yet what I can I give Him —

Give my heart.

Another tradition for the school is to make a pilgrimage out to the Young's (where we do outdoor classroom) for our own living nativity. We began by reading the story of St. Francis and singing carols.

We walked by candlelight to the lake.

Gavin read the Nativity story, and our shepherds and angels acted out their parts.

Even a fall in the lake could not dampen the joy...

Advent

We honor the Advent season as the ending of one year and the beginning of another. Each afternoon during the season, we celebrate "Advent Hour" by reading stories and making crafts. The favorite craft this year was felting (although the gum drop trees ran a close second).

On the last day of school, Mrs. Walker's class celebrated the approach of Christmas at her house.

Of the People, For the People

This year's folk song program included songs from everyday life and songs of protest. We had a big, happy crowd, who sang along with the students and watched the children demonstrate square dancing (accompanied by the Yahoos).

Below you can see five of the students who have been at the school since year one. They are singing "Hard Times".

There was a silent auction and student bazaar as well. Many friends of the school donated items for the auction, and the children made and sold any number of sweets and wares. Here's Chloe and her pumpkin pies...

Several children encouraging our guests to empty their pockets at their booths...

Soup...lots of soup...

Mr. Hendrix explaining his silent auction bidding strategy...

And Pastor Tom from First Lutheran surveying the goods.

Bridge Closed? No Problem

This was the sort of Autumn day you dream about, and no better way to spend it than a few hours outside. The school travelled to the longest covered bridge in the state which spans the Warrior River near Cleveland, Al. Upon arriving, we found the road blocked and the bridge closed. Taking a verse to one of our folks songs to heart ("This Land is your Land, This Land is my Land..."), the undaunted students crossed over the bridge with the Warrior rushing by below.

After a brief discussion about the pros and cons of falling into the swollen river...

...the children were free. There were nature discoveries...

"Human" nature discoveries...

And time for a little art.

It was a rich day of fort building, hiking along the banks, and, of course, eating. We could see why the Native Americans would have called this riverside home.