Shore Mysteries

The shore is filled with mysteries. Just a little exploration generates a world of questions and possibilities. Each trip we are presented with new puzzles and secrets to unravel. When we arrive at the shore we form a large circle and, holding hands, we silently listen to the sounds in the wind, taking in the smells of the marsh, the calls of the birds, the feeling of breeze on our faces, as well as the ever present sounds of the city that surrounds us. Once we are grounded in our place, the excitement of discovery begins as the children spread out on the shoreline and get to work. The following is a transcription of an entry in one of our parent journals describing what a group of children uncovered while digging in the sand:

Two kids say that they’re scientists, archeologists. They’re digging in the sand, looking for bones.
“We found it! We found the dinosaur bone!” 
The exploration of the dinosaur bone continues. They decide they want to put it away somewhere safe. They want to hide it away so that the waves can’t get to it. The bone gets moved over to the sand directly beneath the plants [at the high water mark]. They explain to their teacher that they chose this location because it’s far away from the water during high tide. But one child decided that the bone should be stored on even higher ground and slid it into the tall grass.

Their excitement was contagious, and soon other children had gathered to see this new discovery, contributing their own ideas: "Maybe it's a T-Rex bone!" "No, it's a Constrictor-Boa bone. The biggest snake ever!" 

Back at school the 'dinosaur bone' continued to be a topic of discussion, with many kids making drawings of the discovery in their writing journals.

Other mysteries are captured on video while at the shore and replayed in the classroom for further discussion. To view some of these mysteries, click on the "Mysteries and Video Clips" option at the top of the home page.

For the children, the salt marsh is a source of tiny wonders, but for the adults the salt marsh presents a mystery in itself: How can a place like this exist in the heart of Brooklyn? Or is the larger mystery: How did Brooklyn come to exist in the heart of the salt marsh? 

Gathering around the circle

High tide means less shore to work with

Using gutter parts and digging trenches to create waterways

Filling the reservoir

Exploring the exposed roots at the high water mark

Making a surprising discovery in the sand. What could it be?

"Maybe it's a T-Rex bone!" "No, it's a Constrictor-Boa bone! The biggest snake ever!"

Excavation continues

A week later, the 'dinosaur bone' is still visible

Creating a viaduct filled with sand

"It's quicksand! My boots are stuck!"

Will water make that tight turn?

"We wrote, 'Doug's Class' in the sand!"

Mysterious tracks in the sand await further investigation