Rain Reveals Forest Life

January 8:
A rainy morning has brought the forest leaf litter to life. Children are discovering worms, slugs, millipedes, rolly-pollys, and a multitude of tiny decomposers. Under each leaf, rock, and log exists a world of creatures busily creating soil from the materials at hand. The children quickly realize the extent of this activity - it is everywhere they look. Their imaginative play is interspersed with explorations using garden trowels and magnifying glasses. Some of the creatures are brought into the children's imaginary worlds to become members of families - the worms have become children and parents living in fantasy homes made of leaves, sticks, pebbles, and mud. An enormous beetle grub is discovered beneath the bark of a nurse log, and then a second, smaller grub next to it. "This one is the mommy and that one is the baby." observes one child. "They're sleeping. Let them sleep." says another. The grubs are gently covered back up with leaves and dirt by caring hands.

Sharing discoveries.

"Look what we found!"

"There's more up here!"

Sifting through the sand.

A nurse log with grubs.

The "Mommy" grub.

The "Baby" grub.

Meanwhile, a road is constructed.

Time for snack and sharing the discoveries of the day.

At school, a new forest emerges.