First Grade Field Guides to Trees

Tree book prep is so fun ...
... and interesting!
These 1st graders have been working for months
trying to make sense,
to differentiate (teacher term)
one leaf  from another,
one seed from another,...etc
I can only imagine, 
that from their POV this was bogus,
just another demand put on them by the big system....
But the leaves themselves, 
each one unique, 
each one different from the other trees,
must be like growing up!
Each day a crazy surprise and revolution from yesterday's view of reality.
If only you could be with me over these weeks and months,
to see their faces, 
their distractions (hand sanitizers????)
their discussions and arguments,
leading finally to next Monday, 
where they will test their knowledge,
work with each other (@#$%^&*()
 to find consensus on an important question like:
"Which tree has its seed within a pod that is bright green,
smells like lemon ..."
What you will see is a team furiously discussing this issue, 
and gradually, 
almost always, 
coming to a correct answer to a question 
that is basic to their  (our) world:
What is it?
Who do we share this planet with?

So, 
we are desperately trying to put together the children's work from this year, 
into "Field Guides to the Trees of Waters School". 
This is just pasting up the kids work and drinking coffee or tea. 
Want to help???
I know tomorrow is Field Day 
and I don't want to pull a single person from that, 
but if you need a break, 
come to the Conference room and Witness this wonderful work, 
Mr. Leki