Taking a Stab at Throwing an Atlatl!

We love finding nature in unexpected places, so will watch for art shows, plays, and other activities at historical museums as well. When I saw an atlatl class at the Elkhart County Historical Museum, I knew we wanted to go as we've enjoyed programs and trips there in the past. There is plenty of nature nearby!

Nurturing Acorns: Harvest Feasts

It's been so much fun being involved with Nurturing Acorns at Woodlawn Nature Center. This week, my four-year-old asked, "Mom, did you go to Nature Preschool when you were four?" We call Nurturing Acorns "Nature Preschool". He enjoys going each time we have it!

We had several gathering crafts, such as gluing corn kernels on an ear of corn. This guy on the right was so interesting! He is a little younger than some of the other kids and wanted nothing to do with the corn. He came a little closer and closer. I showed him how I put a few on and asked him to "push" a few into the glue. Pretty soon, he was the one picking up the kernels and filling up his corn. Those little hands benefit from working with small items carefully like that.

They also had insect rubbing plates and fall harvest stickers to explore. Later, we went to the wigwam for stories and talking about different artifacts. 

I shared some pictures and books from Plimoth Plantation, which show more of a balanced view of the "first" Thanksgiving. In looking for activities, I had actually found several "cute" activities which seemed to be more based on myths than realities (like pilgrims using buckles or having no food, though they were in an area full of rich food), so I was hesitant to perpetuate those myths. I shared our experiences visiting their before. Beth shared a book about coyotes, written in a native style, and the children explored coyote fur, a claw, and a tooth. Woodlawn has so many Native People artifacts. It's pretty impressive. I like the nutting stone with multiple holes to crack open many nuts at a time. 

Later, we poured and mixed blueberry pancakes. 

Outside, we found LOTS of maple leaves--the forest looked awash in yellow right now. We talked about making maple syrup, using acorns and hickory nuts, and the need for wood and other natural resources.

The huge spider webs were still a hit!

As we got closer to the Center, the kids liked using the climbing area of Nature's Connection. 

There was even a little snow on the ground.

Jumping time! We came in and had a snack of blueberry pancakes, pumpkin bars, maple syrup, and sausage. These are all items that might have been eaten at a native harvest feast. 

Later, the children did more exploration in the Nature Center! We look forward to starting up again in the New Year! 

Gathering at Five Medals

This is the second time we've been to the Gathering at Five Medals. It is held in River Preserve County Park, with parking at the nearby Benton Elementary School. This year the cost was $4/adult, $2/child. There are food vendors as you enter and various items for sale at varying booths. And, there is nature, in many forms!

Primitive Skills at Woodlawn Nature Center

The Junior Indiana Master Naturalist group came to Woodlawn Nature Center to hear Erik Vosteen, a regional primitive skills expert. He started talking about archeology and how professionals learn how people lived in ancient times. He also touched on ethnography, which includes living with local ecosystems. A point he brought up often is that people's needs have always stayed the same over time. Resources are things we need to live.

The Sign of the Beaver

The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare is a coming of age book set in Maine in the late 1700s. Matt and his family are settling in the area. His father came with the 12-year-old boy to clear the land, build a rough house, and plant crops before heading back to get the rest of the family. Matt was left alone with some provisions, a gun, and a couple of books to protect the house and grow the crops until the family returned. Matt kept track of time by carving notches on sticks.

A man visits and ends up stealing Matt's gun. Matt can no longer hunt and then has bears eat much of the stored provisions. In an attempt to procure honey, he is stung numerous times and needs medical attention. A few Penobscot Indians in the area that have been watching him all along help him, bring him food, and provide some assistance. In return for this kindness, Matt offers the book Robinson Crusoe to the Penobscot elder. The elder in turn would like Matt to teach his grandson to read. Thus begins a rocky friendship as the boys grow and learn together. Attean, the Penobscot boy, teaches Matt to make snares, how to read "signs" in the woods, and other methods of procuring food, such as using a wooden hook for fishing.

This last week I brought several artifacts related to the book into a Bristol Elementary School from Woodlawn Nature Center, my own collection, and a good friend's collection who is Native American and does period reenactments. While I have read, listened to, and even watched the corresponding movie several times, I listened to the book again, listening for the nature connections.

The children had many questions and made several connections. We felt several furs, talked about the many types of animals mentioned in the book, and even discussed these animals in the local area, as well as natural places they may want to visit. In talking about the beaver, I was showing a rodent skull and discussed the unique characteristics of rodent teeth, with the harder orange portion on the outside and the softer portion on the inside. One girl astutely remarked that's how they have razor sharp teeth as the softer portion wears away more quickly.

The children were able to touch the many artifacts and have a sensory experience to the written words of the book. They could touch a red fox's fur, feel a bear's claw, try the process of grinding corn, look at animal tracks, etc. We also looked at the basic structure of a wigwam and I encouraged the children to visit the wigwam at Woodlawn Nature Center.

We also talked about some of the historical inaccuracies in the book and characteristics of the Penobscot Indians.  I find the book a compelling story and while there may be some inaccuracies, I find these to be great talking points in the discussion of the book. This was a great way to celebrate finishing the book!