On an unseasonably warm day in June, The Uplands Center hosted the 2nd grade class from Walton Central School District for a nature-based field trip.
The day began with “ponding”, during which the students searched the edges of the Tweedie Pond for aquatic insects, amphibians, and fish. They put their identification skills to the test and were delighted to discover Eastern Newts, Leopard Frogs, Mayfly larvae, Diving Beetles, and a variety of minnows. Fun facts about the critters’ life cycles were discussed, such as the fact that the Eastern Newts begin their life in the water, travel onto land as a “teenager”, and then return to the water as adults – and that Diving Beetles carry with them a bubble of air when they plunge into the water so they can breathe.
The 2nd graders became “wildlife detectives” in a Habitat Search walk through the forest, looking for clues of animal activity along the trail. They searched for homes, food sources, hiding places, insect activity, and other signs of wildlife, and discussed what plants and animals need to survive and how the forest provides habitat for many different species.
After a morning in the hot sun, the group cooled down under the canopy of trees at the cherry grove for a quiet, reflective activity. The students spread out, sitting or lying down on the mossy ground, and spent 4 minutes in silence, noticing the sights, sounds, and smells of nature. They came together in small groups to write nature-based “poems” based on their experience. Phrases in the poems included “being in nature makes me feel calm”, “the clouds look like cotton candy”, “the wind sounds like God’s voice”, and “the air smells like soil and sky”.
The last activity of the day was a nature scavenger hunt, during which students searched for items in nature such as “something fuzzy”, “a seed dispersed by the wind”, “3 types of leaves”, “something that smells sweet”, and “exactly 30 of something”.
As the day came to a close, the students piled back onto the bus carrying muddy shoes, newfound discoveries, and a deeper connection to the natural world around them. We hope the memories of the day inspire continued curiosity, wonder, and exploration long after the field trip.
