Monday, June 15, 2015

A Morning Learning at the Beach

I love going to the beach with the families of StrongStart.  The children are so curious and adventurous.  It always impresses me how many children will pick up crabs with no hesitation. 
                   IMG_7207
       We spent the morning at one of our local beaches with Natasha from
                         West Coast Environmental Education Society.
                    IMG_7195
              IMG_7200IMG_7203
    The Society promotes knowledge, appreciation and respect for the natural
          environment through its education program, science & nature.
                    IMG_7213
         IMG_7218IMG_7194
Natasha walked us out to the tide pools armed with tubs and strainers for
                                              collecting.

      Here is a glimpse of some of the fascinating creatures we found.
                  IMG_7217
                  IMG_7205
                  IMG_7222
                IMG_7275
                            IMG_7228
We then took our finds and put them in white trays to get a better look.
              IMG_7226
    IMG_7248IMG_7234
       IMG_7224IMG_7237
We found fish, shells, hermit crabs, jelly fish, pile worm, lots of crabs (big and small),
                               sea stars, snails, and limpets.
                       IMG_7190
                                 Some of us even saw a deer.

                   IMG_7258
         Natasha showed us a safe way to pick up a crab so it can’t pinch us.
                           IMG_7271
And how to tell the difference between a male (lighthouse shape underneath)
                      and female (beehive shape underneath) crab.
                             IMG_7251
              IMG_7265
There are forest schools around the world but wouldn’t it be wonderful to have an ocean school?  Imagine spending everyday at the beach exploring, creating and learning.
                    IMG_7254
We didn't find my favourite snail, moon snail, but we did find a couple of beautiful
                                        orange sea snails.



No comments:

Post a Comment