Fourth Grade Explores Cape Henlopen, Delaware

The intrepid fourth grade class traveled to Lewes, Delaware on an overnight trip as part of an annual community building and learning experience this week. The students had the opportunity to seine in the Delaware Bay, which correlates with their current social studies unit and their study of the Lenape Indians. They swept the bay with their seining nets and discovered numerous species of fish, shellfish and crustaceans. They were completely engrossed in their finds and exhilarated to have the opportunity to handle what they caught and learn from their naturalist guides what it was they had captured.  The students spent time at the Hawk Watch observing local birds while watercoloring from this scenic overlook. There was ample time to explore, do some journal writing and play group games later in the day.

In the evening, the weather was spectacular and we walked to the ocean for a ceremony celebrating the autumnal moon and the convergence of our group's joyful energy and the glory of the natural world found by the sea. The students had made beautiful lanterns in art class for this trip and they illuminated the night sky as we processed to the ocean for some singing, dancing and poetry recitation. The evening was capped off by a brilliant bonfire, wish stick burning and the lovely voice and guitar of Keisha, our music teacher, who led us all in rounds of songs the students had been learning since the beginning of the year. We spent the next morning at the beach exploring, playing in the sand and immersing themselves in a rather large tidal pool that was the result of the recent storm. Our short trip allowed us to share some time together and form deeper bonds with one and other. It was a wonderful start to our journey together this year.