We can feel a sense of curiosity and wonder when we notice that trees lose their leaves in winter. Many of us care about trees when we see them bare. Some of us wonder why trees lose their leaves, and others concern about the trees being cold or without their usual green canopy. ![]() When Kai draws a tree, he begins to closely observe the details on the natural world around him - shapes, sizes, colors, textures, and the way light plays on leaves and trunk. We encourage mindfulness and appreciation for the complexity and beauty of nature that we might not have noticed otherwise. We collect brown and green leaves to wonder about! It sparks an interesting exploration of how trees and leaves work. To make it a fun experiment, we attempt to observe which ones drop faster when we release them in the air. Pranssi holds both leaves to drop them, from the same height, at the same time. It results for the green to drop earlier than the brown one. It makes us think what will happen - which type of leaf do we think will fall faster and why? We do ask ourselves - do the green leaves fall faster or slower than the brown leaves? Why do we think this happens? Does the weight, dryness, or structure of the leaf affect the speed? Through Fides' experiment, it confirms the green leaf drops faster than the brown one. We think together to analyze what takes place. As the weather cools and days get shorter, the chlorophyll in the leaves (which makes them green) starts to break down. The brown leaves, on the other hand, are typically leaves that have already completed their cycle and in the process of decomposing. They often fall from the tree when their connection between the leaf and the tree weakens as part of the natural cycle. This process happens after the green leaves changes to change color and dry out, they do tend to fall faster. Again, we extend to another experiment with liquid soap being applied underneath a leaf. After Fides applies, he gently places the leaf on the surface of the water. When the soap hits the water beneath the leaf, causing the leaf to move or "swim" around. This effect is a fun and simple demonstration of how surface tension and the properties of liquids can create movement. In the same way we observe how small changes (like adding soap) can cause movement, we can be grateful for the small, often unnoticed energy in our lives that create positive change or moments of joy. To extend our sense of gratitude, we include this simple rhyming story, written by Dawn Casey and illustrated by Genevieve Godbout. A child says thank you for the gifts nature provides, from hazelnuts in the hedge to apples from the tree, eggs from the hens to milk from the cow. Eventually, the family has enough ingredients to make something special ... a delicious apple cake! And ... there is a recipe for apple cake at the end that allows a family to share in "joyful gratitude". When we approach life with gratitude for the learning process, even simple experiments like this one can feel meaningful and fulfilling. Nurturing a sense of gratitude from within involves developing a mindset that consistently recognizes and appreciates the positive aspects of life, no matter how small. Pranssi spends a few moments reflecting on flowers she is being grateful for. Yes, it is very true, Pranssi! We should be thankful for the simple things such as a beautiful day or a kind word. Regular self-reflection helps us notice and appreciate the good in our life. After giving some time to think about, Fides is being grateful for his family. Gratitude often grows alongside compassion for others. When we are compassionate, we start to appreciate the shared humanity between ourselves and others, fostering a deeper sense of gratitude for the connections we have. "Thank you for my heart!" - Emily expresses her gratitude flourishes when she accepts and feels content with what she has. By incorporating these practices into our daily life, we can develop a deeper, more consistent sense of gratitude from within. Over time, this gratitude becomes a natural part of our outlook on life, enriching our emotional well-being and enhancing our connections with others. By acknowledging and be grateful for the progress he has made into his daily life, Luka exhibits his sense of gratitude. He practices associating beginning and ending sounds to names of people he is familiar with. As we prepare our apple bird feeders, we hold Pranssi and Fides up so we can reach the branches. With careful hands, we hang the apples covered in peanut butter and seeds, looking up with excitement as we imagine the birds discovering their treats. On the next day, we observe the empty branches where we hung out apple bird feeders. Melissa feels unsure - did the birds really eat everything so quickly? Curious, we decide to prepare new feeders and record what happens. ![]() As we watch the recording together, we discover the real visitor-it's a squirrel! We are not surprised. "Squirrels love food too!" we say with confidence. This experience is a moment of inquiry, testing ideas, and making discoveries together. Through observation and reflection, we reaffirm our understanding of the natural world, reminding us that our curiosity always leads the way. We gather to read Forests by Jess French. As we turn the pages, the book becomes a doorway to a deeper reflection. When we reach the part about deforestation, we pause to ask, "What do you think happens when trees are cut down?" Pranssi's voice fills the room: "The trees are the animals' home ... The animals dont have a home anymore. The humans take the trees away. Through their words and feelings, we show we care. Our voices matter. Fides think aloud, "We cut the trees to build homes, make dolls and the floor." His words lead us to a deeper question-"Do you think it's necessary?" He thinks for a moment, then confidently says, "No." This sparks a discussion. We talk about how humans are the ones cutting the tree and changing forests. So, we ask, "If we are the ones causing this, do you think we can also help?" As humans, we can decide which side we want to be. Fides says I want to be someone who brings solutions to this problem. Kalyan's eyes light up with remembrance as he brings up a video we watched about the fires in LA. With concern in his voice, he says, "They got hot... they put the fire... and the fire was all everywhere on the plants... the fire goes to the houses, and people lose their homes." His words carry the weight of understanding. Just as animals lose their homes when forest disappear, people suffer too. Kalyan's memory and words show how we not only listen but truly feel the impact of what we learn. We gather around as we begin our discussion. "How can we move things?" Hands shoot up eagerly. Pranssi says: "We can blow tiny things." Then pose a new question: "Can sound move things?" The group respond: "No!" Curious to test this idea, we set up an experiment. We stretch cling wrap tightly over a bowl and sprinkle some rice on top. We watch closely as we pick up a metal mold and a spatula. With one firm hit, a loud sound rings through the air. Suddenly, the rice begins to jump! This experiment challenges our initial thinking. What once seemed impossible now unfolds before our eyes. We discover that sound is not just something we hear-it is something that moves, vibrates and interacts with the world around us. Kindest,
Children & Friends.
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