Starting our Brush Piles for the New England Cottontail Rabbits

We used our brains and muscles to find solutions to the plight of the New England Cottontail Rabbit.  The children chose the idea of building brush piles.  Large sticks were found in the woods to start building brush piles.  Piles of brush protect rabbits from predators and also provide cover for songbirds and small rodents.  Later, a game camera will be hung from a tree nearby so we can see who visits our brush pile.  Part of the construction/destruction unit is to develop the children's understanding that construction of people's homes has resulted in the destruction of animal habitat and thus their homes.  We're hoping to change that!

Cooperation !

Students teamed up without any prompting from the adults.

Solving a problem-a sapling was hanging but too difficult to pull down.

Starting the brush pile along the old stone fence.

The afternoon was much better weather.  Please remember to send your child to school in long pants, a long sleeved shirt and boots/sturdy shoes for our fieldwork.

Aside from the altruistic piece of this project, there is an opportunity to develop core gross motor skills, motor planning, sensory integration and conservatorship.