We have had such a magical start to the winter session. The cold weather has brought a lot of ice, and with that a lot of fun exploring, skating, breaking, and investigating it. On Monday we had some magical snowfall as we started our day. What a beautiful welcome to the new year and the Winter session. We looked all around Trillium camp to see what had changed since we had been there two weeks earlier. We found a lot can change in just two weeks!

On Tuesday we discovered there was ice that formed on the creek. We spent much of the day ice fishing, skating rocks across the ice, breaking it, and making ice popsicles. 

On Wednesday we investigated how the ice had changed and went on a wander to see how the ice looked at different parts of the creek. We discovered that it looked different everywhere. Some places had almost no ice, while others were almost completely covered! We also found the perfect puddle to smash! 

On Thursday we went on a wander to the bird feeder. On our journey we found so many frozen puddles that made perfect skating rinks. The kids loved skating around on the mini rinks! We also found that there were things frozen in the ice, like leaves, and sticks.

We made fires every day and the kids all appreciated warming their hands at slunch (combined snack and lunch) time at the fire. It was also really fun to put out the fire with chunks of ice from the creek.
We also learned a new song with movement. It has become a fast favorite.
Standing and keeping the beat sing:
I hear the wolf and the fox and the weasel
I hear the wolf and the fox and the singing
I hear the wolf and the fox and the weasel
I hear the wolf and the fox and the singing
Now skip and dance around and sing:
In ten years I will come back
I hear the wolf and the fox singing
In ten years I will come back
I hear the wolf and the fox singing
 
Repeat this as many times as you like and it is a really fun way to stay warm, have fun, and sing together.

Office Location:
Cornell Cooperative Extension, 615 Willow Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850
607-272-2292 | email Us

Preschool Location:
4-H Acres, 418 Lower Creek Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850


Ithaca Forest Preschool is a nature immersion program for children ages 3-5. Our program is run in cooperation with Primitive Pursuits, a project of Cornell Cooperative Extension.