UEM

Upper Elementary and Middle School students
Bend in the River

Community Tree Planting Project
Phase I

Steve Storheim took us on a tour of the area showing us the many landscaping projects that have been done by various members of the community. He also went into detail on the surrounding flora. Steve also invited some students to help water some of the newer plants and trees.

We scouted out the area and made some sketches and plans for our tree planting.
We will be working on this throughout the year with a proposed
planting date at the beginning of May.

Hope is alive and well at Bend in the River!
Thank you, Steve!

Upper Elementary
Little Dell

The Upper Elementary students tried out their self-guided-studies (s.g.s)
on the Little Dell trail that leads down to the reservoir.
They found the beginning of this trail to be a riparian habitat having many kinds of plants, grasses and trees. This contrasted starkly with the almost-desert-like habitat we encountered as we got further down the trail toward the reservoir.

Many students discovered adaptations to the hot environment by holding their back-packs above their heads as shade, which also allowed their sweaty backs to air out!

The students kept up well with the trail that went for about a mile and a quarter
one way, which, of course, we also hiked on the way back.

Everyone was very grateful for the Willow tree that shaded our lunch at the reservoir!

We saw many signs of animals such as these raccoon paw prints!

Many found the water's edge to be calming and great source of curiosity.

The Upper Elementary students and the 3rd years of Lower Elementary
spent the day at one of our favorite places, the Swaner Eco-center and wetland preserve.

The tall grasses and reeds were an endless source of fun and discovery!

On these group outings the 3rd year students get to be assistants to our upper elementary students in a unique mentorship as they collect data, sketches, and sometimes specimens regarding the habitat studies.

Leadership and assistant roles were tried on and eventually established
uniquely to each partnership among the students.

Our Upper Elementary students have many nurturing qualities
that are encouraging to the 3rd year students.

Because of Savannah Wake, a guide at Swaner Eco-center, we were able to visualize the many animals that take up residence on the wetland such as beavers, moose, fox, rabbits, and the many bird species. We even got to see a beautiful Sandhill crane fly before us!

The students were quick to discover the spiders spinning their webs near the eco-center! Some of them were so large, we suspected them to be pregnant!

Savannah had arranged for a special guest to work with us, the founder of the Norwegian Outdoor Exploration Center. Tom Cammermeyer was very supportive of the student's needs and began his discussion by inviting them to run up the hill and back, giving a heart-filled holler as they ran freely!

Tom then explained his message of thoughtfulness and regard for the Earth. He reminded us that we are an important part of the Earth and what we do (or don't do) can vastly effect Earth for the better or the worse. He shared the letter that Chief Seattle wrote which depicts our inheritance of the Earth so profoundly.

We always enjoy our time at Swaner!
Thank you, Savannah!
Thank you, Tom!

The 3rd years from Lower Elementary got to experience the Little Dell trail in a slightly different way than did the Upper Elementary class.
We began with a vizualization inquiry into our personal animal totems.
As it turns out, we have a dolphin, bear, spider, moose, some hawks, elephant, tiger, dinosaur, iguana, frog, Husky, deer and a wolf in our midst!
We looked into the qualities of these animals and thought of ways that they help us in our lives through inspiration, as well as, by studying their way of life.

We tried a less used trail that lead us to the river where we decided to explore the narrows of the banks and we eventually had to walk in the river for a while.
Our sense of adventure was definitely beckoned,
and at one point we, somehow squished our way through the thickets of the willows and bush-wacked our way back to the main trail!

We collected walking stave along the way and celebrated
at the discovery of the main trail!

Most of the students loved this outing.
Many of the students faced some challenges in this outing.
Some students found this outing to be difficult.
I saw all of the students gain something from this outing.
Each outing is unique and we have the opportunity to take something
of value from every adventure.
Some are challenging. Some are easy and relaxing.
All are valuable!