Hidden Wonders

Today was a day to discover things unseen...

It all started when we got together for Morning Tea - a hidden world under the hedge was found, explored and enjoyed.

I then showed the children the loupes I'd bought months ago, which had finally arrived from America.  These allow us to see things in extreme close-up detail.

Our book focus today was 'Lonely Wasp' and before heading out, we imagined what we would see if we were any kind of insect.

With our loupes and magnifying glasses ready, we set off for the forest because we didn't think we'd be able to get any sand with the tide fully in. What fun it was to discover hidden wonders in the bark, trees and forest floor with our loupes.

A new hidden wonder was discovered - a small patch of sand, unclaimed by the tide and just big enough for us all to have a play together on. It was great to see the children working together to create sand structures and dams. Some inventive thinking was used, with packets, tops and even gumboots used to transport sand, shells or water.

Back at base, we had lunch, then read the 'Lonely Wasp' story under a tree. Disguised insects featured in the book and we weren't able to find them in the pictures at first. We then looked around us with our loupes to find hidden creatures right by where we were sitting. This world is FULL of hidden wonders!

I'd told the children about a game I used to enjoy playing as a child, called 'Sardines'. So after our story, they wanted to try it out. (From the feedback, I think we could have kept playing that all day with no complaint!)

A relaxing and satisfying way to end our day together was with felting. The children have made some creative pieces!

Ideas for home:

There are hidden wonders all around you outside. The best way to find them is to focus - look carefully, listen, be still for a time, explore. What do you discover? Why is it a wonder for you? What can you learn more about it? Can you draw it / write about it / research about it / paint or sculpt it?

Why not teach 'Sardines' to your family to play together?!

See you next week - last week of Term!