Monday, October 22, 2012

Welcome to Fairy Lane

           oct 22 098
What a beautiful day to walk in the woods searching for fairy homes.

But let me take you back in time a bit.
I first posted about discovering fairy doors in a neighbouring community.
Then we created a fairy world in our classroom.
Leading us to create our own doors to place in a wooded area nearby.
                    oct 15 005
oct 11 093oct 11 095oct 11 099oct 15 038oct 15 039oct 15 066         

Then yesterday my husband and I took a walk in the woods.
Looking for the best places for fairy homes to reside.
IMG_0913 IMG_0906
We left arrows, made from sticks, and piles of pinecones marking
the spots
to look for the fairy doors.
                 IMG_0904

Back to present time, this morning, the StrongStart families went
for a walk in the woods searching for their fairy doors. 
oct 22 093  oct 22 037
Searching for piles of pinecones to show us the way.
oct 22 038 oct 22 039 oct 22 040
Crossing a bridge to find the first fairy home tucked behind a tree.
                    IMG_0908
The children continued searching for the doors along Fairy Lane.
When they found one they left housewarming presents.
Pinecones, leaves, glass jewels.
oct 22 046 IMG_0880
oct 22 047 IMG_0881
We had a few obstacles to tackle along the way.
oct 22 063 oct 22 087
But it didn’t slow us down.
oct 22 055 IMG_0889
oct 22 062 IMG_0901
We rang many door bells and knocked on many doors but no fairies were home.
      oct 22 056
When we found this door we met a slug that was just leaving the fairy home.
He told us no one was home and
pointed us on to the next door.
oct 22 077 IMG_0896
There are twelve fairy homes in Lerwick Woods and we decided to make
it easier to find by tying ribbon on branches close by.
oct 22 060 oct 22 065 oct 22 067
Before saying goodbye to Fairy Lane the children drew pictures
and wrote stories about their favourite door.
oct 22 079 oct 22 107


oct 22 080 oct 22 106
oct 22 082 oct 22 108
oct 22 100 oct 22 105
oct 22 089 oct 22 104
oct 22 099 oct 22 109
Goodbye Fairy Lane, we’ll tell our friends to come and visit.

13 comments:

  1. Love this post, gorgeous photos & I love the way the children are so engaged. Thanks so much for adding this to the outdoor play link up this week. Kierna

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Kierna, it was a perfect day for a walk in the woods.

      Delete
  2. What an adorable adventure for the woods. Love it and I bet the children did too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have had reports from other families that couldn't make it that day that they have gone searching in the woods and have found the little doors - I'm hoping that word will spread in our community and more people will wander out of doors.

      Delete
  3. you have made happy memories for the children to cherish for a lifetime. i still recall a long walk in the woods with my mum and auntie lily when they described a fairy who was sitting on my shoulder to encourage me - and i am now a grandma!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Our own experiences and cherished memories can direct our teaching, it has with me. I love the magic of little people (fairies, gnomes, trolls, etc.) living in the woods. My daughters, who are now grown, and I would make up stories when we first traveled to this part of Canada. The trees are old and huge with thick under brush which makes for a fertile story telling environment.
      Thanks for reading along.

      Delete
  4. Hi Mareen
    Those ferry doors are really cool, I bet the kids had a lot of fun making them. They look so realistic.
    Spencer

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Spencer, I wonder if there is something else we could add to Fairy Lane to make it an Enchanted Forest?

      Delete
  5. Hi Maureen that must have been fun for the strong start.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Trevor, it was a lot of fun and still is. Families have been visiting Fairy Lane together after school.

      Delete
  6. What a great idea. I am definitely going to do this with my kids. TAll the kids look like they're loving it. I'm going to share this on my Facebook page.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wow, this is such a wonderful idea. A great way to get kids creative, outdoors, and with imaginations churning. What could be better?!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Christine. Fairy Lane has done exactly that, getting families excited and outside exploring.

      Delete