Second grade teacher Ellen Kendall was gracious enough to share her and her students experience opening up an area of woodland at Villa Duchesne Oak Hill School. It has been a delight to visit and observe her students exploring and creating a kid designed magical space.
By Ellen Kendall
Villa Duchesne Oak Hill School sits on 60+ gorgeous acres. Included are a wetlands, creek, and a nature trail that winds through luscious woodlands. Teachers often lead classes through the woodlands, sometimes with clipboards used to complete a scavenger hunt, sometimes with binoculars, looking for woodpeckers and other bird species. Up until this year, the children were not allowed to play near the woods or in the woods. At recess, they often chose to swing, play soccer, play tag and play on the commercial playground.
This all changed when a group of second grade girls asked to go into the woods to get a ball. When they came out, they said, “it’s a magic wonderland in there.” They asked if they could play in the woods. They went and asked our principal, Ms. Komos, for permission. Ms. Komos had them answer questions about what safety precautions they would follow. The children quickly wrote her back, answering all her questions, and eagerly awaited her reply.
About a month later the children received the “go ahead!” The first day they ran as fast as they could and formed a line to get into the woods. One by one, they slipped down into the tree covered, hidden wonderland. The first thing they did was gather some trash they found and quickly made an assembly line of students, passing the trash to the edge of the woods, where the last student would run to the trashcan. Next, they started gathering large sticks, branches, making paths, and “houses”. There are about five houses now. Some houses even have fake fire pits made of rocks they gathered.
The girls dug into the mud and found clay. They made small pinch pots, dried them in the sun and filled them with rocks they found in the woods. They even started their own rock business. They sell rocks they find to the boys who trade them for treasures they have found. Every day the children cannot wait to go into the woods. Each day brings new adventures and activities. I am amazed by their creativity! There isn’t a day that goes by that they don’t discover something new, think of a new activity, find a new rock, branch or secret hideaway.
Since the second graders have started playing in the woods, there has been a significant decrease in arguments. Many times competitive games on the playground became too intense and disagreements would quickly surface. Now, the children are working together to create something that they see as magical. I see them helping one another to clear areas, haul branches, carry rocks and devise plans instead of fighting about rules. Connecting with another in nature has brought us all so much joy!
Here are some student quotes:
“We sell rocks and do house making. I have my free spaces where I love to relax. There are so many things I still have to discover.” —Jane
“We call it the epic woods. It is like a dreamland. We make things like teepees and houses.” —Olivia
“I started out not wanting to go in the woodlands. I worried that lots of kids would get hurt. When I tried going in the woods, I loved it! Now I play in the woods whenever I can. I mostly play with sticks and rocks. One time I found a feather. The main thing I love about the woods is that I can watch the changes as the year goes on.” —Robert
“In the woods I like to play with the sticks and build with them. I like to play in my favorite places.” —Carter
Below is one student’s timeline:
- February 17th — People want to go in the woods.
- February 18th — People don’t lose hope.
- February 19th — People are still on the playground. 🙁
- March 1st — People enjoy going in the woods.
- March 6th — People forget about the playground. There were only five kids on it and twenty-five in the woods. —Connor
Click on image below to see more photos.
