Blog Archives

River Trip and the Last Garden Night of the Year

10/31/2017

Final second grade trip to the river tomorrow at 1:00 p.m..
Room 205,
2nd grade,
will venture off to the river at Berteau Street to see what we shall see.
Please join us at 12:45 p,m,,
by the fish tank,
to talk about our roles.
Who knows what will be revealed:
coyotes,
short-shinned hawks,
beavers,
skunks ...
or just clouds,
and seed pods ...?
It's all good.
Join us.

Tomorrow night is the
LAST Garden night of 2017.
Not to hype it too much,
but,
it is a moment!
We will have tasks,
and fire,
some food
and you:
to share thoughts about the growing year,
just now passing,
With love
Mr. Leki and all

Big beautiful week ahead!

10/29/2017

Dear Friends,

One glory follows another!
My family and friends went this weekend
to pay homage,
tribute,
and hold sacred our meet up
with the Sandhill cranes migrating from the north,
to Florida...
They kept their part of the bargain,
these giant (7 foot tall!?)
fearless,
vegetarian,
representatives of the ancient,
(the dinosaurs, even)
and a time when the Earth was so much more hospitable to their Beauty,
their Time on Earth.
We drove (!!???) to meet them,
and on the way
the soy and corn fields of Indiana
were bordered by ancient copses of oak and walnut groves.
The under-stories looked like they were aflame,
with...
what?
hazelnut?
dogwood?
poison ivy?
such brilliant flourish
to finish this season.
I love them.
Please find a way to visit the cranes,
and encourage them on their way,
and find time away,
for you and your kids and friends.

Tomorrow, Monday, October 30, we're going to give our fourth try to 6th grade, Room 309, to visit the river at River Park to conduct scientific testing, of river water quality. Meet by the fish tank at 9:00 to have a chat about the trip.

On Wednesday, November 1, Day of the Dead! 2nd Grade, Room 205, will venture to the river to witness the flow of time, and other activities. Volunteers, please arrive at 12:45. We leave at 1:00 and return at 3:00 or so for pick up.

On Thursday, November 2, 6th Grade, Room 307, will repeat the River trip briefly described previously. With no less passion and joy.

On Friday there is a rare PD day for CPS. And we are blessed to host a Workshop for other CPS schools ready and willing to start composting their lunchroom, organic waste.

On Saturday, yet again, Waters School will host a city-wide composting-teaching event, to build the movement for a more thoughtful, earth friendly-way of doing our everyday business. Volunteers welcome.

Thanks,
Mr. Leki

Riverbank to Baked Potatoes

10/22/2017

Fourth graders study plant communities and collect seeds on a Sauganash field trip, Oct. 18, 2017.

Ecology Updates: Week of October 22-28
Dear Friends,

Hoping Sunday's rains will wash clean the rocks and plants by the river that were coated with gooey mud from the rains.

On Monday, October 23 at 9:30, 6th Grade Room 308's twice postponed river trip to River Park, takes off to do water testing. I am still looking for a volunteer to wade in the water to collect organisms from the bottom rocks and muds. Let me know if you are up for it. The actual work goes from about 10:00 until 12:00.

Before that trip takes off, I will be offering a workshop for new Mighty Acorns parents to learn about their critical, crucial role in our field adventures in the wilds of Sauganash Prairie Grove. The structure of Mighty Acorns perfectly fits the methodological and philosophical goals of Waters' educational mission. Please join me after drop off in the conference room for this 45-minute gathering. Any and all are welcome.

On Tuesday, October 24, between 8:30 and 11:30 (I'll post the exact schedule tomorrow), our 1st graders who planted potatoes last spring, will go hunting for and harvesting these beautiful "apples of the earth", "purple, pink and white, delicious when you bite." They will sit outside for a day, and then will be washed. The kids will also be drawing large colored renderings of our magnificent Bur Oak trees as a cover for their field guides. On Friday, the potatoes will be wrapped in foil and cooked over coals as part of Harvest Day for K, 1st and 2nd grades. More on this later ...

Same day, Tuesday, October 24 at 1:00, 2nd Grade Room 205 will travel to the riverbank, Montrose to Berteau, to learn about the natural community there. Many volunteers are appreciated to get our work done, and keep the kids safe. We'll be back by 3:00. Join us at the fish tank at 12:45.

On Wednesday, October 25 at 9:30, 3rd Grade Room 202 makes its first sojourn to the wilds of Sauganash to be introduced to the sights and sounds, the trees and animals, the claws and teeth, and barbs and spines, and poisons with which the wild protects itself. It is the beginning of a love affair between these children and this place. Please join us at the fish tank at 9:00 for a briefing. Bus leaves at 9:30, picnic lunch at 12:15, back to school by 1:10.

On Thursday, October 26, 3rd Grade Room 201 repeats the adventure described above. Please join us.

Friday, October 27 is Harvest Day, and besides all the other activities, K, 1st and 2nd will be visiting the fire pit and log circle to eat the roasted potatoes they planted and harvest, slathered with butter and salt, and sip hot spiced cider, while listening to stories of this beautiful, melancholy and mysterious season. This activity requires lots of volunteers to keep the fires going, the potatoes cooking, the cider warm and poured, etc., etc. Schedule is attached, though prep will begin Thursday and early Friday.

A full week. Hope for clear skies during the trips. Many thanks to all who have already volunteered gluing, folding, wading, walking, protecting and teaching our kids.

Mr. Leki

Help Needed for River Field Trip

10/18/2017

Friends,
We've had some beautiful outing in the last two days.
Tomorrow 4th Grade ventures to Sauganash under sunny skies.
On Friday 6th Grade, Room 310, walks to River Park to do water quality testing.
I am still looking for someone to run the benthic, biological testing station.
That means donning waders,
get in the water with a dip net,
and help capture and identify the creatures that live there.
Anyone game?
Mr Leki

Week Packed with Ecology Outings

10/15/2017

Dear Friends,

This weekend's rains have caused the river to rise, covering the dock and pier at River Park. So our re-scheduled room 309 6th grade river outing will be re-scheduled again, for next Monday, October 23, at 9:30. Stay tuned.

On Tuesday Morning, October 17, between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., all three kindergartens will visit the garden to harvest potatoes, poke around the compost, and render our garden with crayons. Please join us for these joyous hours. Then at 1:00 p.m. Room 111, 2nd Grade with venture forth from school to the River at Berteau, to see what will be seen. It is a wonderful, fun trip. Meet by the fish tank at 12:45 p.m. to hear the plan.

On Wednesday, October 18, Room 209 4th grade is off to Sauganash to study plant communities, collect seeds, and explore the wild places. Join us at 9:00 a.m. by the fish tank to learn about this subject, bus leaves at 9:30 a.m., picnic lunch at 12:15 p.m., and back to school by 1:10 p.m. or so.

On Thursday, Room 204 4th Grade, repeats the above trip. Join us!

On Friday, 6th Grade, Room 310 walks to River Park to assess water quality. Meet at 9:00 a.m., we leave at 9:30 a.m., picnic lunch at 12:15 p.m. and back to school by 1:30 p.m. If you would like to learn how to collect bugs from the river muds, or conduct chemical tests, or join the kids sketching and writing about our river bank, Join Us!

With Gratitude,
Mr. Leki

Rescheduled River Trip, Leaf Collections and Potatoes

10/12/2017

6th Grade River trip has been re-scheduled to allow our students to share the rhythms of Latin America at our school celebration of Latin-American Cultural month.
Room 309, 6th grade, will be off to the River next Monday, October, 16, 9:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.
We are looking for someone willing to don waders and venture into the the waters to drag out rocks and mud for the kids to scour for animal life. Intrigued? An avenue opening into a new life? Please step forward and I will do my best to give you some rudimentary training.

In the vacuum created in the ecology program tomorrow, I will be start gluing up the leaf collections for the 1st grade, in the Conference Room. Please join me, after drop off, if you can, to learn the ropes and come back at times more amenable to you. With thanks.

On Tuesday next week, October 17, kindergarten will venture out to the garden to harvest potatoes (hope there are some down there),
poke around the compost,
and
sketch the last of the autumn flowers in the garden.
All three kinder-classes will be out (in succession) between 8:30 and 10:30.
Hope the weather is autumnally,
but whether or not, we're going to go out!

More ecology news on the way ...
Mr Leki

Sauganash Trips and Rescheduled River Park Trip

10/10/2017

Dear Friends,
Fun trip today,
with very enthusiastic kids.
They saw deer,
turtles,
a beaver,
blue heron,
a hedgehog,
and possibly a Tyranosaurus Rex (not confirmed).
Thanks for all the volunteers keeping things running smoothly.

Tomorrow,
Wednesday, October 11
5th Grade, Room 307,
is off to Sauganash to run the Island Biogeography simulation game,
explore the wilds,
and collect rare seeds.
Please join us
to lead and learn.
Meet by the fish tank at 9:00 a.m.,
picnic lunch in the grove,
and back by 1:15 p.m..

On Thursday, October 12,
4th Grade, Room 207,
also ventures to Sauganash to
consider the way in which native plant communities
self-organize!
How can this be?
Why do certain plants associate with each other.
Why don't we find Liatris spicata in the oak woodlands?
Or Rattlesnake master in the Flood Plain?
How do plants "decide"?
Then of course,
free exploration,
and stewardship,
a healthy lunch,
some running around,
and back to school by 1:15 p.m.

It seems that we will have to re-schedule
this Friday's 6th Grade River trip
for Room 309, because of the wonderful opportunity
for our students to take part in a feast of Latin music this Friday.
I was about to issue a call,
a plea,
for volunteers to run the benthic biological assessment station for this trip.
This involves donning waders,
grabbing a dip net,
and trying to capture, view, and identify
the creatures the inhabit the bottom muds of our compromised river ecosystem.
It's FUN.
Let me know if this might be your new self-improvement venture.

Don't forget that on Wednesday evening,
starting at 5:00 p.m.,
will be last month of Garden night.
There's work to do,
friends to make,
and food to share.
Please join us.

Also,
on Saturday, October 14
there will be a Riverbank workday
from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Meet at Hutchinson and the River.

Much thanks,
Mr. Leki

Field Trip to the River

10/10/2017

Dear Friends,
Today,
Tuesday, October 10,
2nd Grade, Room 203, takes its first off-campus
field ecology trip to
the River at Berteau Street,
site of a long-time collaboration between Riverbank Neighbors
and Waters School.
The trip has a number of goals:
to familiarize our students with the geography of our neighborhood,
the space between Waters and the Riverbank,
and the restored riverbank and its ecology.

This is done by having the students fill in the names of streets on their
trip journal (extra pencil and volunteers are essential here) as we walk to the river.
Once at the site,
we break into three groups to experience three activities:
leaf rubbings from a group of riverbank trees;
weather station, where students take readings of the temperature of
the air, ground and water,
the wind direction and speed,
and describe the cloud coverage;
and,
take a long quiet moment to observe and listen
to the sights and sounds of the prairie at Berteau Street.
In class, Ms. Frieswyck read the picture book "Play With Me" by Marie Hallets,
that talks about a little girl who goes to the meadow and pond to "play",
but is rebuffed by the butterflies, and turtles and frogs and birds because she is too ... eager.
When she finally sits down, very quietly, to listen and hear,
the animals come back,
they show themselves.
A fawn even comes close enough to kiss her cheek!

Because the students rotate through these three stations,
it is helpful to have volunteers at each,
guiding the work.
The teacher will lead the prairie listening / sketching station,
I will do the weather station,
and hopefully another person will do the leaf rubbings.

Volunteer gather at 12:45 by the fish tank,
and we leave with the kids at 1:00,
back at 3:00.
Hope to see you there,

Thanks,
Mr. Leki

Fall Field Trips and Garden Work Off to a Great Start

10/1/2017

Hello Friends,
I was coming to school from the riverbank last Thursday with a load of metal fence posts, and post hole diggers. I entered the garden at Sunnyside in time to see the tail end of a classroom of kids leaving the garden, going back indoors.
I opened the shed to stow the equipment and noted two kids by the "Homework Center." One was lounging on a great curved truck of a tree, reading out loud, upside down. Her friend was close by sitting on the ground, back against the same trunk, eyes closed.
I thought, "How nice."
I put all the stuff away and took another moment to watch them, immersed in thier novel.
I checked the compost to make sure the new compost captains did a good job. (they had).
And then went back to the girls and the tree trunk.
I was waiting for them to come to an end of chapter, or page,
I finally said, "Girls. I think your class has already gone in."
They looked at me and then at each other, and leapt to their feet, and ran like wild girls back to the school.
Oh how I loved that, such deep absorption in a story, with a friend, in a beautiful place.

Friday were were walking Montrose Point with the 7th grade.
As you move along the curve of the revetment towards the Fishhook Pier,
the wind always picks up,
like the control on a thermostat,
and this day it was no different.
The wind picked up,
the temperature dropped,
the waves broke against the seawalls with greater and greater intensity.
The kids are not allowed on the lower tiers,
but as we approached the Point the waves broke over them (the tiers)
with bluster and foam.
When you get near the dune their is a 3-4 foot tall concrete wall protecting the walkway. So we let the kids approach the edge,
taking the chance that they might get splashed by a random wave....
The chance ...?
The absolute certainty ...
the thrill of knowing that something is coming,
something exciting ...
something powerful and shocking,
and beautiful and delightful ...
And of course it came.
After many small sprays,
a Katrina of a wave that blasted into the parapet wall,
shot skyward
and poured down on the students,
especially those most daring,
and their blue journals,
soaking their hair and
clothes and shoes.
The screams,
the shock,
the surprise!
It was so much fun.
We cajoled them away from the blast,
towards the dry, dune area,
to search the beach for bits of detritus:
shells,
claws,
bones,
feathers,
to give use a clue as to what lives in this great
unfathomable stretch of fresh water,
this miracle,
this Lake Michigan.

In this time of endless distraction,
what a thing to see young people immersed in the mystery of
a snail shell,
the operculumn of a salmon,
the blue claw of a crayfish,
the tattered wing of a hunted and eaten bird
yellow and black stripes.

Chilled by the lake breeze we headed back to the Corinthian Yacht Club, by way of the dune, and then the magic Hedge.
At the highest point of the dune we snapped the photo here:
what a beautiful group, what a beautiful place and moment.

This week in Ecology:
Wednesday, Oct 4
5th Grade, Room 304
Our first Mighty Acorns trip of the 2017-18 school year. We are off to Sauganash Prairie Grove to learn how remnants of natural areas, embedded in cosmopolitan development, act like islands, surrounded by ocean. Biodiversity, and hence, ecological health, do most well on "islands" that are larger, and closer to sources of continual emmigration. We run a simulation game over and over in the picnic grove, before breaking into groups for free-exploration, and stewardship work. Join us at 9:00 by the fishtank for briefing and coffee. Bus leaves at 9:30, picnic lunch in the grove, and back to school by 1:15.

Thursday, Oct 5
5th Grade, Room 308, repeats the above adventure. Join us!

Friday, Oct 6
7th Grade, Room 301
visits Lake Michigan, at Montrose Point as described above. We travel by CTA, leaving at 9:00 and returning at 2:30. Pack a healthy and waste-free lunch and join us for a lovely day trip.

Wednesday night is Garden Night,
starting at 5:00, and going on until dark. Join us for work and friendship, and food and beautiful fall evenings.

The best to you all
with thanks,
Mr. Leki