Winter Solstice Celebration Brings Learning and Joy to Orchard Students
Orchard’s Outdoor Education program is full of creativity and meaningful connections to nature. Outdoor Ed Coordinator Mrs. P shares how Kindergarten and First Grade students celebrated the Winter Solstice last week with hands-on learning, science exploration, and a touch of seasonal magic...
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The longest night of the year has come and gone, bringing with it the official start of winter. The butterfly gardens and hoop house have been put to bed, sugar maple trees are snoozing through the long nights and cold days, and snow boots and “winter woolies” have replaced the bug spray and swimsuits. This week, Kindergarten and First Grade students celebrated this official changing of the seasons with solstice celebrations at the cabin.
A campfire representing the sun provided heat and light, while students acted out the Earth’s daily rotation and annual revolution around the sun. First grade students completed their journey around the “sun” using handmade globes and practiced pertinent science vocabulary words, including axis, poles, and hemisphere, to explain and explore the reason for the Earth’s seasons.
The book Night Tree inspired Kindergarten students to use popcorn, cranberries, and dried cherries to make, and then hang, special “icicle” treats for our feathered and furry woodland friends.
Students topped off the celebrations with hot cocoa (the darkness) and golden Oreos (the sun), and a dance party complete with traditional Celtic tunes, plenty of laughter, and cheers.
And now, as we say goodbye to the longest night of the year… everyone sing—Here comes the sun! (Do-do-do-doo!) Because just like the song says—It’s alright!
Happy Winter Solstice,
Mrs. Prusinski (aka Mrs.P)
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The longest night of the year has come and gone, bringing with it the official start of winter. The butterfly gardens and hoop house have been put to bed, sugar maple trees are snoozing through the long nights and cold days, and snow boots and “winter woolies” have replaced the bug spray and swimsuits. This week, Kindergarten and First Grade students celebrated this official changing of the seasons with solstice celebrations at the cabin.
A campfire representing the sun provided heat and light, while students acted out the Earth’s daily rotation and annual revolution around the sun. First grade students completed their journey around the “sun” using handmade globes and practiced pertinent science vocabulary words, including axis, poles, and hemisphere, to explain and explore the reason for the Earth’s seasons.
The book Night Tree inspired Kindergarten students to use popcorn, cranberries, and dried cherries to make, and then hang, special “icicle” treats for our feathered and furry woodland friends.
Students topped off the celebrations with hot cocoa (the darkness) and golden Oreos (the sun), and a dance party complete with traditional Celtic tunes, plenty of laughter, and cheers.
And now, as we say goodbye to the longest night of the year… everyone sing—Here comes the sun! (Do-do-do-doo!) Because just like the song says—It’s alright!
Happy Winter Solstice,
Mrs. Prusinski (aka Mrs.P)
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