Slice of Life Day 21
I am participating in the twowritingteacher.org Slice of Life Challenge where I write each day for the month of March. This year my three-year old daughter (now 4 year-old) and I are writing collaboratively. Feel free to follow along our month-long writing journey!
It is officially our first day of Spring Break and although we aren’t en route to Disney World, we still had an amazing day! When I heard school might be cancelled, I quickly borrowed snow shoes and cross country skis from the outdoor education building. Our school is an Independent School that focuses on preparing students to explore the outdoors in a safe and prepared manner. They go on the most amazing adventures and we as teachers get the benefit of being able to use the equipment when it isn’t out on a trip.
I signed out snowshoes for the whole family and cross country skis for me. I was eager to let Marlowe give snowshoeing a try and I have high hopes of teaching my husband how to cross country ski.
It is definitely easier to teach Marlowe new things. My husband is a little trickier, so I decided to start with Marlowe.
We had a pep talk about how new things can sometimes be hard and what we can do if we feel frustrated. She is working on her growth mindset and has a tendency to throw herself on the floor and roll around when things are hard. I gave her phrases to use like “I think I need a break!” or “I can’t get up, can you help me, mommy?” I always find that when I give her phrases she might need to use before we head into a new situation, we are always more successful.
She was AMAZING! We stayed out way longer than I anticipated and she didn’t have a single melt down.
I asked Marlowe to write you some instructions on how to snowshoe. Here is what she wrote:
Snowshoe
- Walk in snow
- Put on snow shoes
- Have fun
I think you might want to flip number 1 and 2 but that is just my perspective!
I love her instructions! Your school sounds quite amazing. My son participates in an outdoor program which focuses on getting kids outside and experiencing nature and learning outdoor skills safely, and he loves it. (They started him on fire starting with sticks and flints at 5 and field triage and field first aid at 6. He will save me from an apocalypse.) We don’t have any full schools that integrate those ideas here though.
It sounds like your son has some amazing opportunities at his outdoor program! That is incredible!
It is an incredible program, and he really misses it at the moment.
Ironically, my first snowshoeing adventure (scheduled the weekend before my foot surgery) was cancelled due to a blizzard. But please tell Marlowe that I’ve written down her instructions and will use them whenever I get a chance to try it again. Thanks for writing!
Oh no! I am sorry to hear that! Well, I would suggest you get more advice than Marlowe gave you before you head out next time. I hope you get the chance to try it again. It is such a simple yet fun activity! Thanks for stopping by!
This is adorable. I love that you two are collaborating! And your school sounds amazing. Really missing being outdoors with my Kindergarteners these days. Be well!
Thanks for stopping by! I bet they miss you too!!
I’m so glad you guys are having fun in the snow! I especially love the smiles in the pictures. 🙂
Good job, Marlowe, in the snow and on the Page!
She says thanks!!