Embedded Files
Room 19
"It's Maple Syrup Time."
- Moxy Fruvous "It's Maple Syrup Time" (song)
"It's Maple Syrup Time."
- Moxy Fruvous "It's Maple Syrup Time" (song)
First: Tap the Trees
Next: Boil, Boil, Boil
Finally: Taste Test!
🍁'Tis the Season!🍁
Who knew this year, with only 4 wee-trees tapped, that we would get so much sap!?! Hands down, the most enriching maple syrup learning year yet! We are so thankful for the opportunity to learn from the land right here at Wilkinson and get to taste the gifts from the Earth right from the tree, after being boiled a bit, then a taste of it after a bit more boiling, then sampling a final product! Yum!
🍁'Tis the Season!🍁
Who knew this year, with only 4 wee-trees tapped, that we would get so much sap!?! Hands down, the most enriching maple syrup learning year yet! We are so thankful for the opportunity to learn from the land right here at Wilkinson and get to taste the gifts from the Earth right from the tree, after being boiled a bit, then a taste of it after a bit more boiling, then sampling a final product! Yum!
Tap to Sap, Stories, Samples, and Syrup!
We enjoyed weeks of learning about maple syrup, starting with an Anishinaabe story about how Nanabozho is responsible for why maple trees make sap instead of syrup. We learned that it takes a lot of work, strength, and gratitude to turn the gift of the maples into syrup! We learned about the tools used to tap the maples, how to do it, how the sap is 'left overs' from the food that the tree made last year (to feed the tree in the spring until the tree can make it's own food again), where maples grow, and we kept our eyes on the buckets to make sure Ms. Kathleen emptied then when they were full! All of her boiling enabled us to see the process sap goes through from beginning to end! We also put our mapping skills to the test to find where the tree teacher (maple trees) are at Wilkinson! Miigwech to the maples for all they taught us! Here is a highlight reel Ms. Kathleen posted on Instagram that you can watch here.
Tap to Sap, Stories, Samples, and Syrup!
We enjoyed weeks of learning about maple syrup, starting with an Anishinaabe story about how Nanabozho is responsible for why maple trees make sap instead of syrup. We learned that it takes a lot of work, strength, and gratitude to turn the gift of the maples into syrup! We learned about the tools used to tap the maples, how to do it, how the sap is 'left overs' from the food that the tree made last year (to feed the tree in the spring until the tree can make it's own food again), where maples grow, and we kept our eyes on the buckets to make sure Ms. Kathleen emptied then when they were full! All of her boiling enabled us to see the process sap goes through from beginning to end! We also put our mapping skills to the test to find where the tree teacher (maple trees) are at Wilkinson! Miigwech to the maples for all they taught us! Here is a highlight reel Ms. Kathleen posted on Instagram that you can watch here.
Some questions to ask your child:
- what taste number did you prefer: 1, 2, 3, or 4?
(1=sap, 4=syrup)
- why did Nanabozho pour water into the maples?
- what do you know about maple syrup?
Some questions to ask your child:
- what taste number did you prefer: 1, 2, 3, or 4?
(1=sap, 4=syrup)
- why did Nanabozho pour water into the maples?
- what do you know about maple syrup?
Watch a squirrel long enough, and you'll see how every small action shapes the world around it...
Watch a squirrel long enough, and you'll see how every small action shapes the world around it...
Ajidamoo (squirrel) Learning
We learned a bit about squirrel homes - tree cavity or dreys. Then, we went out in search of them and some of us started to experiment with how they are built ... it didn't seem easy?
Ajidamoo (squirrel) Learning
We learned a bit about squirrel homes - tree cavity or dreys. Then, we went out in search of them and some of us started to experiment with how they are built ... it didn't seem easy?
Some questions to ask your child:
- what are squirrel 'nests' called? (drey)
- where else to squirrels like to live? (tree cavity)
Some questions to ask your child:
- what are squirrel 'nests' called? (drey)
- where else to squirrels like to live? (tree cavity)
"In nature nothing exists alone."
-Rachel Carson
"In nature nothing exists alone."
-Rachel Carson
Animal Awareness and Water Seekers
We checked out animals that live in the Great Lakes area and chatted about how they might need and use clean water. We had photos of animals and pictures of their homes around the room and tried to match them. We learned all about them and their relationship to water. Then we went in search of evidence of water through the Learning Garden and on our way to the yard. There were so many places where water belongs and exists! Nibi is everywhere!
Animal Awareness and Water Seekers
We checked out animals that live in the Great Lakes area and chatted about how they might need and use clean water. We had photos of animals and pictures of their homes around the room and tried to match them. We learned all about them and their relationship to water. Then we went in search of evidence of water through the Learning Garden and on our way to the yard. There were so many places where water belongs and exists! Nibi is everywhere!
Some questions to ask your child:
- where are some places at Wilkinson that we can find water?
- what animal homes were the most surprising?
Some questions to ask your child:
- where are some places at Wilkinson that we can find water?
- what animal homes were the most surprising?
"Nibi Bimaadiziwin."
-"Water is Life" in Anishinaabemowin
"Nibi Bimaadiziwin."
-"Water is Life" in Anishinaabemowin
Water Walker
Nibi Emosaawdang (The Water Walker) is an award-winning book (written in Anishinaabemowin and English) that tells the inspirational story of Nokomis (Grandmother) Josephine-ba Mandamin and her love for Nibi (water). She walks to raise awareness of the need to protect Nibi for future and for all life on the planet. She led a walk around ALL the Great Lakes inviting us to take up our responsibility to protect water - the giver of life, and to protect the planet.
Water Walker
Nibi Emosaawdang (The Water Walker) is an award-winning book (written in Anishinaabemowin and English) that tells the inspirational story of Nokomis (Grandmother) Josephine-ba Mandamin and her love for Nibi (water). She walks to raise awareness of the need to protect Nibi for future and for all life on the planet. She led a walk around ALL the Great Lakes inviting us to take up our responsibility to protect water - the giver of life, and to protect the planet.
Biinaagami = pure, clean water
We started with a riddle to direct us to our new learning - water:
I can be hard as rock.
I can be light as air.
I can be splashy like a puddle.
We learned so much: the water cycle; the word "water" in all the languages we knew as a group; Ms. Kathleen taught us sign language and the Anishinaabe word for water (nibi); and we listened to the Water Walker story. Did you know that they walked every spring for SEVEN years to do that? After learning about the Water Walkers - Ms. Kathleen suggested that we could be water walkers to protect water by walking around the Great Lakes too - all during Outdoor Education! That's when we went on our adventure to experience Biinaagami - the Canadian Geographic giant floor map that our school got to use for 2 weeks! (https://www.biinaagami.org/map and https://cangeoeducation.ca/en/maps/biinaagami/). After we walked the Great Lakes water system, we solved more riddles to learn about some plants and animals that live in this area too - then we got to act them out! We had a GREAT time!
Biinaagami = pure, clean water
We started with a riddle to direct us to our new learning - water:
I can be hard as rock.
I can be light as air.
I can be splashy like a puddle.
We learned so much: the water cycle; the word "water" in all the languages we knew as a group; Ms. Kathleen taught us sign language and the Anishinaabe word for water (nibi); and we listened to the Water Walker story. Did you know that they walked every spring for SEVEN years to do that? After learning about the Water Walkers - Ms. Kathleen suggested that we could be water walkers to protect water by walking around the Great Lakes too - all during Outdoor Education! That's when we went on our adventure to experience Biinaagami - the Canadian Geographic giant floor map that our school got to use for 2 weeks! (https://www.biinaagami.org/map and https://cangeoeducation.ca/en/maps/biinaagami/). After we walked the Great Lakes water system, we solved more riddles to learn about some plants and animals that live in this area too - then we got to act them out! We had a GREAT time!
Some questions to ask your child:
- how do you say "water" in Anishinaabe? (nibi)
- tell me about the GIANT map you walked on
- what animals/plants did you act like on the giant map?
(i.e. turtle, maple tree, cedar, redside dace, mosquito, beaver)
- why is water important to you?
- can you say 'water' in sign language?
Some questions to ask your child:
- how do you say "water" in Anishinaabe? (nibi)
- tell me about the GIANT map you walked on
- what animals/plants did you act like on the giant map?
(i.e. turtle, maple tree, cedar, redside dace, mosquito, beaver)
- why is water important to you?
- can you say 'water' in sign language?
"Look deep into nature, and then you will start to understand everything better."
- Albert Einstein
"Look deep into nature, and then you will start to understand everything better."
- Albert Einstein
Golden Rod & Asters
We listened to a neat story about two friends (one with golden hair, the other with blue/purple eyes) who wished to make everyone happy and stay together forever. It is believed that every autumn when we see gold and purple together (golden rod and asters), that these two friends had found a way to stay side by side, making people happy. 💛💜
We also listened to the words of Robin Wall Kimmerer reminding us to see the beauty of these plants not only for humans, but for bees the land and all of our relations.
Golden Rod & Asters
We listened to a neat story about two friends (one with golden hair, the other with blue/purple eyes) who wished to make everyone happy and stay together forever. It is believed that every autumn when we see gold and purple together (golden rod and asters), that these two friends had found a way to stay side by side, making people happy. 💛💜
We also listened to the words of Robin Wall Kimmerer reminding us to see the beauty of these plants not only for humans, but for bees the land and all of our relations.
Connecting with Orange Shirt Day
We started with a riddle:
I dash and dart from tree to tree.
My tail is is a fluffy letter C.
I chatter, I scamper, I never stay still.
I also have an acorn loving skill!
In Anishinaabemowin, squirrel is "ajidaamo". We learned we have a plant called ajidaamowano (squirrel tail) in the Learning Garden - so, we went in search of it and found golden rod!
We learned the stories and after hearing about Robin Wall Kimmerer's experience studying botany (plants) at University where her curiosities and beliefs were not accepted, we related that to the long standing experience of many Indigenous students at school, specifically Residential Schools. We enjoyed the stories and did some plant-colouring, golden rod for yellow, aster for purple (though it often looked more brown!), and various leaves for green!
Connecting with Orange Shirt Day
We started with a riddle:
I dash and dart from tree to tree.
My tail is is a fluffy letter C.
I chatter, I scamper, I never stay still.
I also have an acorn loving skill!
In Anishinaabemowin, squirrel is "ajidaamo". We learned we have a plant called ajidaamowano (squirrel tail) in the Learning Garden - so, we went in search of it and found golden rod!
We learned the stories and after hearing about Robin Wall Kimmerer's experience studying botany (plants) at University where her curiosities and beliefs were not accepted, we related that to the long standing experience of many Indigenous students at school, specifically Residential Schools. We enjoyed the stories and did some plant-colouring, golden rod for yellow, aster for purple (though it often looked more brown!), and various leaves for green!
Some questions to ask your child:
- what is ajidaamo? (squirrel)
- what plant is known as squirrel tail? (golden rod)
- how are golden rod and asters "friends"? (together, attract bees)
Some questions to ask your child:
- what is ajidaamo? (squirrel)
- what plant is known as squirrel tail? (golden rod)
- how are golden rod and asters "friends"? (together, attract bees)
"The land is the real teacher. All we need as students is mindfulness."
- Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants
"The land is the real teacher. All we need as students is mindfulness."
- Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants
Skywoman Falling
This shared telling of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe story where Skywoman falls from Skyworld to Earth. Caught by geese, she is given land on the back of a turtle by animals who provide mud from the depths of the water. Skywoman sings and dances on what becomes Turtle Island. She plants seeds from the Tree of Life and helps establish a relationship of reciprocity and respect between humans and nature.
Skywoman Falling
This shared telling of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe story where Skywoman falls from Skyworld to Earth. Caught by geese, she is given land on the back of a turtle by animals who provide mud from the depths of the water. Skywoman sings and dances on what becomes Turtle Island. She plants seeds from the Tree of Life and helps establish a relationship of reciprocity and respect between humans and nature.
Sacred Medicines in the Learning Garden
We enjoyed the Skywoman Falling story then learned about the Anishinaabe 4 sacred medicines, their name in Anishinaabemowin, and more about them in room 8. We explored the Learning Garden outside in search of the three sacred medicines that grow there. We got to touch and smell the plants - some of us even used them as "perfume" (no plants were harmed in our nice smell!). We also got to colour what we learned about these three plants in our Learning Garden:
Sweetgrass / Wiingaashk: believed to be the first plant believed to grow on Turtle Island as the hair of Mother Earth! Braiding it shows care and respect. It reminds us that the Earth is alive and to be treated gently. 🌏
Cedar / Giizhik: believed to be given by the Creator to honour the love of a Grandmother who gave all her strength to care for her people: branches for wigwams/canoes, boughs for beds, fragrance for healing. "Grandmother is still caring for us." 💪🏾
Sage / Bashkodejiibik: believed to be sent by Creator to clear sadness and worries with cleansing power. When burned in ceremony, the smoke carries away heavy thoughts and brings calm - a medicine of strength for the protection of people's hearts. ♥️
Sacred Medicines in the Learning Garden
We enjoyed the Skywoman Falling story then learned about the Anishinaabe 4 sacred medicines, their name in Anishinaabemowin, and more about them in room 8. We explored the Learning Garden outside in search of the three sacred medicines that grow there. We got to touch and smell the plants - some of us even used them as "perfume" (no plants were harmed in our nice smell!). We also got to colour what we learned about these three plants in our Learning Garden:
Sweetgrass / Wiingaashk: believed to be the first plant believed to grow on Turtle Island as the hair of Mother Earth! Braiding it shows care and respect. It reminds us that the Earth is alive and to be treated gently. 🌏
Cedar / Giizhik: believed to be given by the Creator to honour the love of a Grandmother who gave all her strength to care for her people: branches for wigwams/canoes, boughs for beds, fragrance for healing. "Grandmother is still caring for us." 💪🏾
Sage / Bashkodejiibik: believed to be sent by Creator to clear sadness and worries with cleansing power. When burned in ceremony, the smoke carries away heavy thoughts and brings calm - a medicine of strength for the protection of people's hearts. ♥️
Some questions to ask your child:
- what plants did you like the smell of?
- what did you use to colour your page? (crayons and/or leaves)
- Skywoman fell like a seed - do you remember what seed? (maple seed)
- can you help me pronounce the plant names in Anishinaabemowin?
Some questions to ask your child:
- what plants did you like the smell of?
- what did you use to colour your page? (crayons and/or leaves)
- Skywoman fell like a seed - do you remember what seed? (maple seed)
- can you help me pronounce the plant names in Anishinaabemowin?
"The whole of life is coming to terms with yourself and the natural world."
- Sir David Attenborough
"The whole of life is coming to terms with yourself and the natural world."
- Sir David Attenborough
Marvels of the Monarch
Our first time together outside was quite the welcome! The monarchs came to fly around and we were able to watch them! We learned about what they eat (milkweed) and could even find some growing in the Learning Garden!
Marvels of the Monarch
Our first time together outside was quite the welcome! The monarchs came to fly around and we were able to watch them! We learned about what they eat (milkweed) and could even find some growing in the Learning Garden!
Learning Inside and Outside
We got better acquainted in room 8 to start our second Outdoor Education class. We learned a lot about wasps and skunks - like how both of them get a bad wrap for stinging or stinking! Ms. Kathleen shared how they feel threatened and a lot of those behaviours stem from fear. For the wasp, it's fear of not having enough food for it's colony. For the skunk, it's the danger it feels when others are around - they generally like to be alone searching for grubs to eat. Both animals give us warnings with how they look! Ms. Kathleen passed around pieces of an old wasp nest that we all got to hold. We also remembered that the monarch butterflies from last week are bright orange to 'warn' predators that they taste bad!
Learning Inside and Outside
We got better acquainted in room 8 to start our second Outdoor Education class. We learned a lot about wasps and skunks - like how both of them get a bad wrap for stinging or stinking! Ms. Kathleen shared how they feel threatened and a lot of those behaviours stem from fear. For the wasp, it's fear of not having enough food for it's colony. For the skunk, it's the danger it feels when others are around - they generally like to be alone searching for grubs to eat. Both animals give us warnings with how they look! Ms. Kathleen passed around pieces of an old wasp nest that we all got to hold. We also remembered that the monarch butterflies from last week are bright orange to 'warn' predators that they taste bad!
We ended our time outside by going to check out the Red Side Dace art installation at the school - Red Side Dace are so neat! We will keep learning more about them. Then, the best score of all - we discovered the crabapple trees. Some of us were even brave enough to take a bite!
Some questions to ask your child:
- what is the 'furniture' in the Learning Garden we do not stand on? (sitting logs, trees)
- what does a skunk do to 'warn' before it sprays? (stomp, tail up ... then spray)
- did you taste the crabapple? What did you think?
- what do you remember about the redside dace?
- what is the only food that monarch butterflies eat? (milkweed)
Some questions to ask your child:
- what is the 'furniture' in the Learning Garden we do not stand on? (sitting logs, trees)
- what does a skunk do to 'warn' before it sprays? (stomp, tail up ... then spray)
- did you taste the crabapple? What did you think?
- what do you remember about the redside dace?
- what is the only food that monarch butterflies eat? (milkweed)
Page updated
Report abuse