Poetry is one form of expression in which we can describe our reflections on events after a saunter.  The following is a sample of our Saunter Poetry. 

               When We Walk Together (by the MWF class)               On A Saunter (by the T/Th class)

                         White snow                                                                  Holding hands

                         Crunchy ice                                                                   Sliding on the ice

                         Ice is slippery                                                               Ice on the street

                         Ice skating slippery                                                       Snow sparkles

                        Skating on the ice                                                           Lots of different colors                                                         

                         Spinning really fast                                                       Cold sticks

                         Trees were bare                                                            A stick like a hook

                         Garbage cans knocked over                                            People driving in a car

                         Heard an ax chopping                                                     Talking on their phone

                         A bumblebee buzzing                                                      Climbing to the top

                         White and brown doe                                                      Sliding down a slide

                         Running through a yard.                                                   Good bye Funny Face Tree.

     January has been a good month and we have had lots to do.  We finished our study of bears by going on a saunter to the Tom Green Trail.  While on the trail we were magically transformed into bears and our task was to find a great spot to hibernate for the winter (now that we really have had snow).  We divided into two groups.  The first group was designated the "den seekers" and the other group was designated the "trackers".  As the bear seekers were finding their perfect hibernation site they were leaving behind bear tracks as they went.  Once an enticing den was found they settled in for their winter's sleep.  After a short wait the bear trackers located and followed the paw prints in an attempt track the bears to their den site.  Once the first group of "denning" bears were found the groups switched roles; seekers became trackers and vice versa.  We discovered that finding the perfect den site was not as easy as it appears and that bears must have a lot of moxie when it come to hiernation spots.  We also discovered that with knowledge of the types of places bears would usually choose for a den and then using our observational skills we were pretty good trackers.

   Speaking of bear dens, if you have visited our classroom you have most likely noticed our den in the dramatic play area (which has now become Bear Country).  Did you know that in its former life it was a rather large appliance box? It lived in our art area for a week while we transformed it with tempera paint, rollers, sponge paint brushes and some simple texturing tools. Along with a former Christmas tree, some appropriate bear apparel, lots of boughs, branches and some nature observing instruments it has sparked quite a bit of enthusiastic imaginative play.  Dramatic play is now home to quite a few "bears" who have turned the bedding material into a number of different uses (did you know bears also like to have camp fires when they are in the woods - marshmallows included...).  All in all, there have been some very happy residents in Bear Country these days. 

   We have been learning about our impact on the earth and where the materials which are used in packaging our food and beverages come from.  So many containers which we normally would toss into the garbage can will fit into two other catagories : reuse and recycle.  We collected numerous containers from our lunches over time and then decided which catagory each item best fit.  We were surprised to find out how many containers could either be recycled or reused - and which ones couldn't be reused even if we tried to wash them out.  We have had several opportunities to test our knowledge of Recycle, Reuse or Throw Away and are happy to report that we are doing a fantastic job of both recycling and reusing most of the containers.  Many of the "reuse" containers are destined for our art center to become part of the formation of "Junk Sculpture" at a later date (there has even been some thought of an innovative rocketship project on the horizon).  In addition to Recycle and Reuse we are composting food left over from our lunches with the hope of planting a small garden in the spring.  We will be excited to start some seeds in the spring using our own compost (with many thanks to the Journeyors who collect our compost buckets every week).

   One of our biggest projects this month has been working on quilt blocks for the upcoming CFS Fundraiser Auction which is scheduled for Saturday, February 11th.  We have had two different themes:  animal drawings based on the book Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See? by Eric Carle and "Rainbow Hands".  Each child created a block of their own, each one very colorful and quite unique.  The finished product will be a one of a kind quilt which can be described as "functional art".  We are very proud of our finished product (with many thanks to Sophia's mom Kristy and Will's mom Valerie for all their work). We hope you will join us for this very special annual event - who knows - maybe our "blankie" will find its way home with you!

   Snow is all around us and we have found that it is more than just cold.  We discovered we can "spray paint" it with bottles of colored water and turn it into a polka dot landscape.  We have explored the different properties of snow on several occasions and upon careful observation we have found that snow is made from a bazillion pieces of crystal water.  They look like sparklies when the sun shines on them, and they are delicious when you eat them (and crunchy, too!).  We have also learned the difference between "clean" snow and "dirty" snow before we eat it.   When snow has been on the ground for a while and the outside temperature has gone from really cold to really warm and back to cold again (sounds like a typical Montana winter, doesn't it?) it gets crusty on the top and can be a little hard to dig through.  We found this out when we went on a snow gathering quest.  Our task was to fill a zip top baggie with as much snow as we could and still have it close.  Armed with spoons, measuring cups, little shovels and a few other "diggers" we broke through the icy top of the snow and (with a little help from our friends)  were able to fill our bags.  Once inside our next challenge was to find the fastest way to melt all the snow in our bag.  We tried many different ways to accomplish this task - shaking the bag, rolling it on the floor, holding it up over our heads and squeezing it.  Of all the methods we tried we found that nothing was faster than pouring warm water on it (cold water was good, too, but not as fast).  We were a little surprised at how fast the warm water wasn't warm any more and at how much the snow shrunk when it turned back into water.  Most of all we have found that the best thing to do with snow is to play in it!

  We will keep you updated on our further adventures with snow, so look in on us again soon.   As always we send our thanks to all our parents for the many ways you help our classroom be the BEST - you're the greatest!

   Debbie and Michelle

          Snow is such amazing stuff!