For the last couple of weeks, as we wait for the forest to dry out a bit, we have eased back into our ECO routines with shortened sessions at school. The first week, while the field was covered with many inches of snow, we focused on great horned owls, perhaps the only birds that nest and lay eggs in late winter. Children worked in pairs to build nests (we imagined they were in trees, but actually made them on the ground) that would keep their eggs  (colored ice cubes) warm and safe. While one partner went out to gather food, the other partner was responsible for watching over the nest so no eggs would be lost to sneaky predators. 

This week, after all of the snow had rapidly melted, we focused on amphibians and their spring move to vernal pools, where they lay their eggs. We talked about some of the dangers they face trying to get to these spring pools, including predators and cars, as their routes often take them across roads. Working in teams, children were challenged to build a bridge for a salamander to safely cross. Students had many creative ideas for constructing thier bridges and did a fantastic job of working in teams  to build some pretty awesome bridges!