Fall Field Trip Fun

The beginning of Fall has brought a variety of field trips off campus and even on campus, too. We have been having so much fun together. The community building that has occurred along the way has been simply amazing. We're looking forward to the remaining field trips to come. Remember, to periodically check our monthly photo albums for updated photos. I have added new photos for the month of September and there are more to come!

Our First Field Trip - Friendship Park
Heading to Friendship Park with all of our Kindergarten friends was a wonderful way to celebrate the first day of Fall. We used our five senses to make the most of our walk and playtime at the park. We watched for changing leaves, birds flying south. We felt the cold air and wet rain as we bundled in our coats. We tasted Ainsley's birthday cookies (Thank you, Ainsley!). We sniffed the moist dirt and wet wood chips, and smell of Fall in the air. We listened to giggling laughter and squeals of delight as we ran and played on the climbing structure and swings. At one point, the most fun we were having was simply running through the field and throwing leaves in the air. Before we said our goodbyes to the park we read Fall is Here! I Love It! under the picnic shelter as we waited patiently for the steady mist to go away.

Kindergarten Camping Day
Monday gave us a beautiful Fall day to enjoy the weather and Willowwind's "campsite". We loved spending time in our tents (thank you parents!) and reading camping and Fall books. We had a blast completing our Camping Journal pages and spent time discussing the importance of outdoor safety. We even took time to eat a favorite camping snack, s'mores! The Cottontails were resourceful students as they carefully used their pretend campfire to safely roast their s'more's marshmallow. Some Cottontails even used the sun's warmth to "roast" their marshmallow! Our Camping Day flew by! It was such a fun way to appreciate the beautiful outdoors. We can't wait to do it again!



And we're on our way…
"Hi how, hi ho, it's on the trail we go,
We walk and sing and sing and walk,
Hi ho, hi ho, let's go!
Let's go, let's go, and to the camp we'll go
We'll walk and sing and sing and walk
Hi ho, hi ho, hi ho!"



Yummy Treats…..mmmmm S'mores and a visit from Carly!



"Scary" Stories, Cozy Tents, and Camping Journals



Smiles All Around


Iowa City Public Library
Wednesday presented another beautiful day to travel out into our amazing community. The Kindergarteners took the Towncrest bus downtown to visit the public library. There we found books of all genres and types - our favorite stories, picture books, chapter books, nonfiction, comics, and magazines. We enjoyed a story time with Ms. Kathy - at her "place" this time - and had so much fun using our new library cards and the self checkout machine. Some Kindergarteners were able to pick out their FREE book for using their library card. If your child has not had a chance to get their free book or library card wallet holder please be sure to take some time to do so. Don't forget, your child's library books are due on Wednesday, October 17th. After our time at the library came to an end we were still able to enjoy our downtown community and the beautiful weather by eating a picnic lunch on the Ped Mall and playing on the downtown play structure. What a special treat and what fun!!



First Bus Ride and First Check Out!



Smiles at story time and smiles on top of the play structure!


Kent Park
Our school wide field trip to Kent Park was an amazing adventure. A big yellow school bus brought us to an amazing prairie preserve where we met Naturalist Brad. He took us on a tour of Kent Park's tallgrass prairie where we discussed various prairie plants, animal habitats, weather patterns and our extreme weather conditions. We also had the opportunity to learn about prairie animals. We discussed prairie racerunners (did you know their tail falls off when they're nervous), box turtles (turtles have rings like trees to tell their age), and salamanders (they love wet, wet conditions). We even got a chance to see a live salamander and box turtle. Through it all, it was a blast watching your child bond with so many schoolmates. Our Kent Park field trip is a wonderful way to develop Willowwind unity. Students walk through the prairies hand in hand with new friends and lots of smiles. What a great day all around!



A Prairie Walk



Beautiful Views - the Wetlands and the Box Turtle


October Field Trips
Don't forget! We will be heading to Honey Creek Acres on Monday, October 8th and Bloomsbury Farm on Monday, October 15th. Please be sure to leave your child's booster seat at school on the mornings of BOTH of these field trip days. When driving to field trip locations your child MUST have their booster seat. A big thank you to our parent drivers. We are set for drivers for both field trips. Yay!