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"Autumn... the year's last, loveliest smile."
- William Cullen Bryant
"Autumn... the year's last, loveliest smile."
- William Cullen Bryant
Why Leaves Change Colour 🍂
Why Leaves Change Colour 🍂
I read this Anishinaabe story, retold by Margi Preus, found on CommonLit. Young Nanabozho is given paint made by his Nokomis (Grandmother) and starts adding a little colour to cone flowers, ladybugs, bees, a heron, raccoon, fox, salamander, woodpecker, and chickadee and ... he tries to add some colour to sparrow until things go wrong ... but in the end, it is all right and explains how the leaves change colour every year!
Tree Bouqets
We wanted to bring Black-Capped Chickadee (black cap, thanks to Nanabozho!) words come to life "so pretty! so pretty! so pretty!" So, we went in search of the pretties leaves to make bouquets with then we tossed them in the air to see the beauty they leave behind.
Tree Bouqets
We wanted to bring Black-Capped Chickadee (black cap, thanks to Nanabozho!) words come to life "so pretty! so pretty! so pretty!" So, we went in search of the pretties leaves to make bouquets with then we tossed them in the air to see the beauty they leave behind.
Some questions to ask your child:
- what happens to Nanabozho when he climbs up the tree after sparrow?
- who are some animals that Nanabozho painted? (use cartoon image to remind)
- what leaf colour is your favourite to see in the fall?
Some questions to ask your child:
- what happens to Nanabozho when he climbs up the tree after sparrow?
- who are some animals that Nanabozho painted? (use cartoon image to remind)
- what leaf colour is your favourite to see in the fall?
"Nature always wears the colours of the spirit."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Nature always wears the colours of the spirit."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Wearable Nature Art
We have been learning so much about trees and appreciating all of the lovely living things in the Learning Garden, that we wanted to take a bit of the (fallen) beauty home with us ... on our wrists! In fairness, some bracelets lasted longer than others (they were made from tape afterall), but everyone enjoyed exploring, creating, and wearing their one of a kind jewellery.
Wearable Nature Art
We have been learning so much about trees and appreciating all of the lovely living things in the Learning Garden, that we wanted to take a bit of the (fallen) beauty home with us ... on our wrists! In fairness, some bracelets lasted longer than others (they were made from tape afterall), but everyone enjoyed exploring, creating, and wearing their one of a kind jewellery.
Some questions to ask your child:
- what did your nature bracelet look like?
- what other kinds of decorations could we make with nature found on the ground?
Some questions to ask your child:
- what did your nature bracelet look like?
- what other kinds of decorations could we make with nature found on the ground?
"Time spent amongst trees is never wasted time."
- Katrina Mayer
"Time spent amongst trees is never wasted time."
- Katrina Mayer
Toronto's Tree of the Year! 🌳
Toronto's Tree of the Year! 🌳
This fall, the City of Toronto gave kids a vote of their own during the municipal election: choosing 2027's Toronto Tree of the year! Five native species trees were on the ballow: Basswood, Paper Birth, Red Oak, Sugar Maple, White Pine.
The official winning tree will have 1,000 plantings on public land plus school sapling! Fingers cross Wilkinson gets one!
Tree Appreciationg
We know that planting 1,000 of these 5 native tree species would be an excellent addition to Toronto because we have learned about how wonderful and important trees are, so, we took some time to appreciate the trees that are growing in the Learning Garden. After exploring each of them, students took a seat under the tree that they were most drawn to. Then, Ms. Kathleen introduced the class to her favourite tree: "Joe's Tree". It was planted 2 years ago after the passing of a Wilkinson parent who loved his daughter, the school, and the Learning Garden. It is a Serviceberry tree that was planted in his honour. Feel free to visit his tree and read the plaque under it. ♥️ For now, we wait to learn what tree will be the official winner of Toronto's Tree of the Year 2027!
Tree Appreciationg
We know that planting 1,000 of these 5 native tree species would be an excellent addition to Toronto because we have learned about how wonderful and important trees are, so, we took some time to appreciate the trees that are growing in the Learning Garden. After exploring each of them, students took a seat under the tree that they were most drawn to. Then, Ms. Kathleen introduced the class to her favourite tree: "Joe's Tree". It was planted 2 years ago after the passing of a Wilkinson parent who loved his daughter, the school, and the Learning Garden. It is a Serviceberry tree that was planted in his honour. Feel free to visit his tree and read the plaque under it. ♥️ For now, we wait to learn what tree will be the official winner of Toronto's Tree of the Year 2027!
Some questions to ask your child:
- what tree dio you think should be Toronto's Tree of the Year?
- what trees do you like visiting in the Learning Garden?
- could you find "Joe's Tree" and the adult Serviceberry tree growing nearby?
Some questions to ask your child:
- what tree dio you think should be Toronto's Tree of the Year?
- what trees do you like visiting in the Learning Garden?
- could you find "Joe's Tree" and the adult Serviceberry tree growing nearby?
Wilkinson Winner Announced!
250 students had their voices heard when they voted for who they think should be the winner of Toronto's Tree of the Year for 2027: Sugar Maple (more than 1/2 the voters)!
Wilkinson Winner Announced!
250 students had their voices heard when they voted for who they think should be the winner of Toronto's Tree of the Year for 2027: Sugar Maple (more than 1/2 the voters)!
"So, be a tree. For together, we are a forest."
- Maria Gianferrari, Be A Tree!
"So, be a tree. For together, we are a forest."
- Maria Gianferrari, Be A Tree!
Be A Tree! 🌳
This beautiful book of textured art and poetic words helped us learn how deeply connected we are to nature while helping us to understand the importance of trees in our ecosystem. Learning more about trees and our bodies brings the forest to life, sharing how our bodies mirror tree anatomy: our spines matching strong trunks while revealing the invisible, networks trees use to share food, signal danger, and nurse the sick.
Be A Tree! 🌳
This beautiful book of textured art and poetic words helped us learn how deeply connected we are to nature while helping us to understand the importance of trees in our ecosystem. Learning more about trees and our bodies brings the forest to life, sharing how our bodies mirror tree anatomy: our spines matching strong trunks while revealing the invisible, networks trees use to share food, signal danger, and nurse the sick.
Tree Exploration and Joy
We took our time enjoying this story with exploration breaks including:
- root exploration and learning
- bark feeling
- tree ring counting on the Learning Garden stumps
- tree art
There is no end to the wonder and gifts of trees!
Tree Exploration and Joy
We took our time enjoying this story with exploration breaks including:
- root exploration and learning
- bark feeling
- tree ring counting on the Learning Garden stumps
- tree art
There is no end to the wonder and gifts of trees!
Some questions to ask your child:
- how can you tell how old a tree was when it was cut down? (count rings, 1 for each year)
- why is the ground between the Learning Garden and Kindie yard so bumpty? (tree roots)
- plants get energy from the sun, but what happens when they die? (de-com-pose)
Some questions to ask your child:
- how can you tell how old a tree was when it was cut down? (count rings, 1 for each year)
- why is the ground between the Learning Garden and Kindie yard so bumpty? (tree roots)
- plants get energy from the sun, but what happens when they die? (de-com-pose)
"The longer we listen and the quieter we are, the more we hear.”
- Walter Inglis Anderson
"The longer we listen and the quieter we are, the more we hear.”
- Walter Inglis Anderson
A Little Peace on Earth
This tiny shew has important news and wants to tell the world, but everyone is too busy making noise and rushing around to listen. The shrew's secret is that if everyone stops and sits still for a moment to listen, we can make a little peace on Earth.
A Little Peace on Earth
This tiny shew has important news and wants to tell the world, but everyone is too busy making noise and rushing around to listen. The shrew's secret is that if everyone stops and sits still for a moment to listen, we can make a little peace on Earth.
Be NOISEY then listen
After enjoying the energetic art and participating in lively onomatopoeic words 'noise', we gave the shrew's advice a try. We took a deep breath in through our noses then breathed out our mouths and just ... listened. We learned that our Learning Garden is a hive of activity - we noticed buzzing, leaves blowing, birds chirping ... and also some cars driving by and kids playing! We even found special Learning Garden spots to just sit and hear what was going on around us... well, the first day it was pretty rainy, so we just hung out under the "cedar umbrella", be the next visit was a perfect time to explore the beauty of the Learning Garden!
Be NOISEY then listen
After enjoying the energetic art and participating in lively onomatopoeic words 'noise', we gave the shrew's advice a try. We took a deep breath in through our noses then breathed out our mouths and just ... listened. We learned that our Learning Garden is a hive of activity - we noticed buzzing, leaves blowing, birds chirping ... and also some cars driving by and kids playing! We even found special Learning Garden spots to just sit and hear what was going on around us... well, the first day it was pretty rainy, so we just hung out under the "cedar umbrella", be the next visit was a perfect time to explore the beauty of the Learning Garden!
Some questions to ask your child:
- what sounds do you hear in the Learning Garden?
- what kinds of noises did the shrew hear around him?
- what brings you the feeling of peace?
Some questions to ask your child:
- what sounds do you hear in the Learning Garden?
- what kinds of noises did the shrew hear around him?
- what brings you the feeling of peace?
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