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Making The Most Of Snail Mail: Wren’s Nest Forest Preschool

05.11.2020 By: Megan James

Porter Johnstone, 4, with the Baby Azban he received in the mail from his Wren’s Nest Forest Preschool teachers.

We checked in with Michelle Black, who teaches at Wren’s Nest Forest Preschool, about her school’s experience transitioning to remote learning.

MiniBury: How is remote learning going?

Michelle: It has been really challenging figuring out how to connect with “Forest Preschoolers” via the computer. Our philosophy at Wren’s Nest was to get outside as fast as possible, and stay outside as long as possible. The last thing we want now, is for kids to see us on a screen, when the sun is inviting them out into nature. 

We think we’ve found a balance. We have one “Zoom Circle” per week (and it’s absolutely fine not to attend), occasional evening hours when kids can chat with the teachers or each other informally, and a parent-support meeting two evenings a month. 

The other communication method that we’ve incorporated is Snail Mail. We decided to “slow our world down” and encourage anticipation (delay gratification) by having the children look forward to exciting things arriving in their mailboxes. So far, we’ve mailed: birdwatcher badges, garden seeds, and seashells. We’re now sending our favorite Abenaki raccoon, Azban, with a journal from family to family, to record their many adventures.

MiniBury: Tell us more about Azban.

Michelle: We like to use Abenaki animal names whenever possible. Azban — from the book Azban’s Great Journey by Bryan Chenevert — is a favorite. We often see his footprints by our stream, and his trickster stories are often requested.

Americorps member Whitney Parsons mailed a laminated baby Azban to each student. Part two of this project is that Mama Azban (who is larger and made of cardboard and felt) would like to visit her babies and see how everyone is getting along. 

Mama Azban will be making her way from house to house through the U.S. postal service. We will send her with a small journal that each child can use to document an adventure before sending her and the journal on to the next family.       

This is new territory for all of us, and every day we brainstorm new ideas. I can’t say enough about our fantastic teaching team: Director/Teacher Suzanne Young and two fabulous AmeriCorps members, Kat Bower and Whitney Parsons. 

Thanks for sharing your ideas, Wren’s Nest. And happy trails, Azban!

More from my site

  • Turning on a Dime: Quarry Hill SchoolTurning on a Dime: Quarry Hill School
  • Kids Reflect On Remote LearningKids Reflect On Remote Learning
  • How One Small School District Has Risen To The COVID-19 ChallengeHow One Small School District Has Risen To The COVID-19 Challenge
  • Decorate A Pumpkin In Bristol For FreeDecorate A Pumpkin In Bristol For Free
  • Start Them Early: MiddlingoStart Them Early: Middlingo
  • “Must Have” — part I“Must Have” — part I

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Jan
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Thu
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New Moms Connection Group @ Zoom
Jan 21 @ 12:00 pm
Chat with other local moms who are in their first year postpartum. This weekly Zoom group is hosted by Alison Underwood, counselor and social worker at Porter Women’s Health. Call or email her for consent [...]
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12:00 pm New Moms Connection Group @ Zoom
New Moms Connection Group @ Zoom
Jan 28 @ 12:00 pm
Chat with other local moms who are in their first year postpartum. This weekly Zoom group is hosted by Alison Underwood, counselor and social worker at Porter Women’s Health. Call or email her for consent [...]
4:00 pm Youth Of Color Group @ virtual
Youth Of Color Group @ virtual
Jan 28 @ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Each Thursday, Addison Central Teens hosts a space where any youth of color in Addison County, ages 12-18 can find connection and community with one another while also learning about the systemic issues faced by [...]
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New Moms Connection Group @ Zoom
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Chat with other local moms who are in their first year postpartum. This weekly Zoom group is hosted by Alison Underwood, counselor and social worker at Porter Women’s Health. Call or email her for consent [...]
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Youth Of Color Group @ virtual
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Each Thursday, Addison Central Teens hosts a space where any youth of color in Addison County, ages 12-18 can find connection and community with one another while also learning about the systemic issues faced by [...]
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