Positively Spruced Up and Thankful

Spruce and Trembling Aspen

Cypress Hills Inter-Provincial Park is a glorious place and
 today it "spruced up" our study of trees. 

We knew a week ago that the chances of it snowing today were very likely.  All involved in our field trip were strongly encouraged to dress for snow!   Since we live in Canada, you would think that we would be well prepared for snow...toques, scarves, gloves, winter boots and jackets.  I heard many students declare, "Oh, we're from Canada, we're tough, we can take the cold!"

Yet, they were the same ones shivering and grumbling, "I can't feel my toes, my mom said not to wear boots or snow pants, she told me to wear runners and a hoodie!"  Really, I thought?  If so, mom didn't grow up in Canada nor did she experience our early winter temperatures and snow in the fall. Perhaps mom is a couch potato, or...
Actually, this is what I really think... the kids ignored mom when she said, "Wear your boots, snow pants, winter coat and gloves!"  Then once they realized that Mrs. Dowling was going to make them stay outside in the snow to examine and learn about coniferous and deciduous trees, they regretted not listening to their mom and teachers, and wouldn't admit they were wrong, so once again, blamed mom....  Poor moms out there.  I am on your side... You get blamed for everything! 

Some students thought that we should turn the bus around and head back to town so they could stay indoors and play games... you know the type of games... electronic games...

Fortunately, those of us wise enough to dress appropriately and who were ready for an adventure, didn't let those "Debbie Downers" trample our positive attitudes.  Since Thanksgiving is just around the corner, it is fitting to relay some thankfulness to those people who wanted to experience it all and not be penned up, as many of us like to do in the long 8 months of winter weather.  They were eager to learn, explore, create and reflect and made the best out of situation.  Yes, the wind was whipping the wet sticky snow into our still tanned faces and the snow dampened our jackets, socks and pants, and our cameras fogged up, but we had hand warmers, and we were lucky enough to catch glimpses of wild turkeys on two different occasions.  Glimpses only though, because as soon as the turkeys spotted us they ran for their lives.  Who could blame them, with Thanksgiving just around the corner?  We also noticed squirrels, and a few brave birds.  Some spotted deer.  Solving a mystery as forensics teams in the forest was fun.  We were able to take soil samples, measure the temperature of the soil and make inferences as to why Sammy the Spruce tree lay dead in the forest. 



Peaceful and Protected

While in the forest, keeping things on the positive side, we were able to stop and journal and make observational drawings for about 15 minutes before our pages  started to turn to mush.  In the forest, we felt well protected and it was very peaceful.

Now, the students have a memorable story to tell about being in the forest during the season's first snow fall.  If they were home in their houses playing electronic games, what memories would they have?  How long would the memories last?

 I always wonder, when they are old and grey sitting around the table at A&W having cheap coffee, what will they talk about?

Bob, "Oh, we used to play electronic games." 
Jo, "Yup, me too!"
Then silence.
 "Chirp, chirp, chirp..."
The crickets will start chirping because Bob and Jo can't remember any important stories to retell. 
Then they will turn and stare at the wall and pretend to have a good time.



Maybe

So why do we spend money and help the students to experience all kinds of things, well maybe, just maybe, after today's positively spruced up experience and last week's adventure at Police Point in the prairie forest, they will have stories to tell and the only reason the crickets will be heard is they have decided to take their grandchildren outside for a experience in nature and can retell the stories of the adventures in the forest they had as young whipper snappers.  And maybe, just maybe, they will be thankful for the crazy teachers they had in grade six who gave them new experiences both in the sunshine and in the snow and rain!

The photographs are soul property of Renee Dowling.

To use them in any way, please ask for permission at

dowling@shockware.com

P.S.  Thanks, Mom, for bringing extra mittens, jackets, and blankets for all of the children who didn't listen to their teachers or moms! 

I have never blamed you for not being warm! HEE HEE! 

I am sure there were a lot of thankful students because of your thoughtfulness! 

You're the best!