Teva Day 2: Ecology November 19, 2014October 28, 2014 by Naomi Stein Students woke up before their alarm clocks today. They were so excited to start the day with hot cocoa. Afterwards we participated in morning shacharit, the morning prayer service. Students had time outside alone in nature during the amidah, the silent prayer. I wonder what parents think about the idea of praying in this way. After a yummy breakfast, we sang songs about decomposition, with groovy hand signals. Dancing in the dining hall is an unusual (and awesome!) experience. In their outdoor learning groups, students’ focus today was on ecology. Can you guess which local plant produced this cool effect? Students journalled seriously And made serious mustaches The joy of discovery The impressive compost piles here inspire us Snacks are healthy and plentiful This group is super proud of their discovery of an edible mushroom. They even put it on the “cool stuff table”! The teachers hit the trails too! After a day on the trail, students were feeling pretty tired. Still, they regaled us with tales of fire building, cave discovery, and amazement over all the living organisms in the lake During chofesh, or free time, frisbee was a popular choice It was gorgeous weather for outdoor play Students learned new tricks And others learned from their peers Students reflect on their moments of awe. After a whole group game of Predator and Prey, the interconnectedness of ecosystems resonates even more.