Works In Progress

If play is children's work, then every day in the forest is a work-in-progress. We are testing the strength of our bodies by lifting tree branches, balancing on logs, or seeing how high we can climb. Testing the strength of our minds by wondering at the profusion of life beneath an overturned stump or marveling at the colonies of mushrooms that were not there the last time we came. Testing the strength of our community by working together with friends to create a campfire, mix a mud cake, build a fort, or move a heavy stump across the forest floor. 

Each day we build on that strength, bringing what we experienced outside in the forest back into the classroom. Inside, books can tell us more about the trees and animals, paint and clay can be shaped from shared memories, tree treasures can be explored in more detail, and stories of our own can emerge from our time working together. 

Best of all, the forest works its magic on us. Like the underground networks of fungi that connects the trees and plants we begin to feel connected to everything around us. We are not visitors - we are citizens of the planet, in equal membership with the plants, animals, rocks, and streams. If we listen close enough we will hear the voices of our fellow citizens telling us: We are all works in progress.


I can lift this whole branch!

Come look at this!

We made a campfire!

You can make fire like this! [Rubbing sticks]

At the "Singing Circle"

Having lunch together

Look at all these mushrooms!



We found a slug!

These [leaves] will make a good soup!

Climb aboard!

Look! More slugs!

It's a slug family!

Drawing in the forest

Look! It's bigger! [Looking at a worm that has been placed on a twig]

How did you get way up there?

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