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I took this picture on a walk through Sugar Maple Woods, the forest close to where I live. I was drawn to one of the oak trees that flanked the path because it was hollowed out on one side and I was curious about what insects I might find living in the holes that you can see in the bark. My attention soon shifted to a larger hole which actually turned out to be a tunnel when I looked closer; with acorns strewn around the mouth of the tunnel and which continued deeper inside. The question that immediately came to mind was what animal might have been nibbling on these acorns and might have called the tunnel their home either presently at an earlier point in time. If I were inspecting this tunnel with a group of children, I might inquire about what kind of animal they think is responsible. Although squirrels are known to eat acorns, they are also too large for the hole. Birds have wings and prefer being higher up in a tree rather than beneath it. I would be curious to see whether they would arrive at the same conclusion as me: that a chipmunk is responsible for this little hideaway (with or without my guiding questions).

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I took this picture after going on a run in my neighbourhood. This tree is located between my house and the neighbours' house. This tree, among many others, represents life and growth. As the winter comes to an end, leaves will begin to grow as the temperature rises. It will enrich itself with life from other leaves and flowers and contribute to the environment in its own way. This tree also symbolizes calmness and nature. As the leaves regrow, it creates a big, shaded area during the summer, creating an optimal spot to hang out and get some fresh air. The tree will also, once again, become home to many birds that sing in the morning, insects that find their way into the dirt, and raccoons that find a place to sleep during the day before attacking my garbage can. This tree shows the processes of strength, life, and nature. The tree is perfect and full of leaves until fall arrives and the leaves are taken down. During the winter, the tree is still alive and beautiful. With strength, calmness, and prosperity, the leaves soon come back, making it once again a beautiful one until the cycle happens again next winter.

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This is the tree in our backyard. We planted this tree when my first son was born. This is one of my favourite trees, called the larch tree. These trees look so majestic when they finish "leafing out" or "flushing", which means when the soft needles have grown. This tree is also unique as it is a deciduous conifer tree. The needles change colour in the fall before they fall like leaves. I have never seen a cone on our tree. However, when I spent some time in the garden today, as the weather was so gorgeous, I suddenly saw one. I had to take the picture and post it here as this is a real wonder for me and has been for many years! Where are the cones? I also wonder why some trees have many cones and others just a few. Maybe the tree is feeling lonely, and it would have more cones if more trees were around. Could the number of cones reflect how "happy" the tree is? Are trees happy and sad? Trees are one of the miracles of life.

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I have attached two photos of a tree in my cousins backyard. While at his house for lunch, we noticed a large animal resting high up in this beautiful tree. After several attempts of zooming into the animal with our phones, we came to the conclusion that this animal was far too large to be a raccoon. We believe this is a bear cub. If you zoom into the photo, you will notice the large size of his paw. We were shocked by the idea that bears were in a residential area in Mississauga.

Keeping a close eye on the cub, we did some research. We were curious to know why the cub was alone, so high up in the tree. We learned that if you see a bear cub alone, you should leave the area immediately. Black bears will often tree their cubs when they perceive a threat in the area. While their cubs are ‘safe’ in the tree, the mother bear will leave and circle back periodically to check on their cub(s). The mother and cubs will leave the nested area when she believes it is safe to do so. This situation was quite interesting and led us to embark on our own scientific inquiry process as we were concerned about the safety of the cub.

Not something you see on a day-to-day basis in Mississauga!

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I heard a familiar sound on a walk with my dog on one of the warmer evenings this week. I looked up and saw a pair of mourning doves. When I was younger, the coo of the mourning doves were easily identifiable and commonly associated with summertime, filled with days of backyard and park adventures from dusk till dawn. I snapped the photo of the pair because in my recent memory, I couldn’t recall the last time I heard the bird’s call. Maybe this was a product of not stopping as often in my adulthood to actually listen, or because they are really less mourning doves than there once was in my area. I thought about their movement in pairs, and their gentle nature. I thought about how their sound was nostalgic, somewhat sad but also so unique.

If I were to study the (dis)appearance of these birds and their sound in similar regions with students, I would introduce them to their population and threats. Where/when are these birds most commonly heard? What impacts their call? Where have they gone, and what do they symbolize across generations/cultures?

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While on a walk in my neighbourhood, I noticed two trees side by side, one full of greenery, and the other only with branches. This would be an interesting conversation to have with students about what makes these trees similar and what makes them different. I would love to hear what the children say about why certain trees lose their leaves during the winter and why others do not. Another conversation that could be discussed is the importance of Cedar Trees to Indigenous populations. Cedar has significant healing properties and is used as a key ingredient for sacred fires. This picture elicits a multitude of questions regarding why trees grow, how they grow in the city, and how different trees can have various different life cycles.

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I was hiking on the Elgin Trail near St. Thomas and noticed a lot of moss, not just covering the bases of trees but even on an old, abadoned bridge. I normally wouldn't even think about it, but because we were asked to take an outdoor snapshot it sparked my curiousity. I noticed that it was covering trees on both sides, is it true that you can use moss to tell a certain direction or is this a myth? Why does moss grow on some trees/wood and not in other places? Do any animals eat moss/what impact does it have on the surrounding environment? I think this is something children would notice, since it's all growing close to the ground, and gives a lot of possibilities for further inquiry!

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This image is from the backyard of one of my colleague. I was so amazed to see this for the first time happening in front of my eye. I always use to think how a butterfly can come of a cocoon? How cocoon look like and feel like? Similar to my curiosity watching this life cycle stage of a butterfly, this might be a moment of awe for many students and an opportunity to bring life and nature closer to them. A way to spark their curiosity and some hidden mysteries of nature. I would love see what personal connections children can make after observing this image and how it can lead them to further nature inquiry :-)

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I took this picture of a small stream in a park near my house. I personally am always drawn to water and I think bodies of water lend themselves to so many topics that can be explored through further inquiry! I would love to have a conversation with children about the different natural shapes, lines, and colours they can see and have them draw what they observe. It would also be so nice to come back to the same area (if there is a local area that is easily accessible) at different times of the year to see how it changes with the season. With respect to the shapes and lines, questions around why some rocks might be more jagged than others or why some trees are far more slanted and seem to be growing that way arise. Another thing that caught my eye, although it isn't visible in the picture is that there were a couple of small, interspersed patches of new bright green grass poking through, and I think children would notice this as well. This observation could lend itself to further discussion around new life emerging after winter as well as broader conversations around why certain plants are only found in some areas (such as near water vs. dry land) could be facilitated.

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I had a chance to visit Niagara Falls during the March Break. This was an exciting photo for me because it offered a new perspective. Despite visiting several times over the course of my childhood and adult life (and even being a tour guide at one point!), I had never seen the falls from this angle before. It reminded me of how children see things differently - from different heights, angles - and how different things catch their eyes. What we (as adults) might take for granted, little ones might be eager to point out! I also loved that I was alone with my boyfriend when I took this photo. We both remarked how just down the street it was SO busy. But there was this quiet little tunnel that offered a new perspective; it maybe wasn't as 'valuable' of a view to some. Lots to think about!

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This is a sunset photo I took out my apartment balcony. I took this photo because it captures a breathtaking natural phenomenon that we witness everyday. This can be a perfect start for science inquiry because it can raise questions like: Why does the sky change colors during a sunset? What causes these colors to appear? What colors do we see? Are the colors always the same? And why does the sun set in the first place? Exploring the science of sunsets opens up discussions about the science of light, climate, moon, and even clouds to name a few. Moments like these remind us to appreciate the beauty of nature and inspire curiosity and inquiry in our everyday lives.

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I've always been interested in rocks and fossils, I still collect them wherever I go. To me, a fossil is like a bridge connecting us to the earth and life of the past. It's remarkable if you think about what you are holding in your hand and how long it's been waiting there to be discovered. It makes you feel pretty insignificant. These rocks and the gastropod fossil on the right are just a small sample of some of the rocks my children and I collected on our trip to Woodbine Beach this March Break. Some of my earliest memories are of beach combing with my uncle and grandmother up at our family cottage.

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In the urban environment of Toronto, sometimes it feels difficult to stay connected to the natural world, a distinct sensation imho - but taking the time to contemplate the sky and its constant changes, is one simple way to feel reconnected. This photo shows how there is so much happening in the atmosphere, all around us, and it is just one aspect of the urban ecology in Toronto. This photo also reminds me of the lake, the beach, the trees on that beach, and the spit across the water, where so many birds live, with a different multitude of experiences available to residents. Even when parts of the city are man-made, once they are left in the care of mother nature, they become part of the ecology. On the Leslie St Spit, there is a beach made of stones, that have been smoothened out of old bits of concrete, bricks, and trash. It is also a place where I have gone with my family to cycle, another activity that keeps us connected to the elements. When we ride, we dress for the weather, we notice the air quality, and we are aware of the changes in temperature and shelter available in green and treed spaces. Having a household pet is also another part of our lifestyle that means we spend a lot of time outdoors in the city. The question that I have at the heart of these reflections is How do we overcome barriers to ensuring that opportunities to connect to the natural world are accessible to all residents/areas of the city, and that the natural world is our most valuable asset i.e. needs protection/recovery from over-development and pollution? How do we teach about the ecology of our city as a foundation of the Common Good?

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This image was taken in a community park near my home. I think children might notice many different aspects in this area. For instance, I would use this little garden to draw attention to the different kinds of plants that are present and how different all of these plants look and feel. This variety of species can also encourage conversations around how different species (of plants, animals, insects) interact in the natural environment and the different positive and negative relationships that exist between them. Moreover, the city in which I live in is known as "the flower city" so it is a large symbol of our municipal identity. With this, it may also be interesting to create conversations around why certain plants/flowers grow in other areas or even why some are native to certain areas. As a child growing up, flowers always fascinated me. Whether it was how they smelt, looked, or felt, flowers always made me really happy! I think such discussions can help children develop empathy and compassion for the environment and other living beings.

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I took this picture on a hike in Scugog, Ontario near a beaver den. It was that beautiful, warm, sunny day we had, and he was excited to get some fresh wood. I was quite surprised to see how fresh and big the chews were, as this might have been his first time out of the den for the season. I've been hiking around here for a while, so I've seen this beaver's wood pile dwindle over the winter. It was only a matter of time before it had to come out and restock, and today was that day. This particular hike is actually on an outdoor education centres trail, and I know from working there how excited students were to find out that the tree was not taken down by a human. It is a great start to experiential learning!!

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I took this photo while at my cottage a couple of weeks ago. Since I was little, it has been one of my favourite places to visit and unwind. I love seeing the lake (pictured here frozen) in all different seasons. In the summer, there is an evident line of land separating the grass from the water, but in the winter the frozen lake just looks like a continuation of the land. You can also see the ice fishing huts in the middle of the lake, I remember walking out to go see them when I was young, as well as making a skating rink right in front of the cottage. It’s amazing to compare the way I view the lake now in comparison to when I was a child. The lake looked so vast.

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Nature can be my friend or foe depending on the weather. This picture is from my trip to Jamaica last year, when the weather was my friend. I have always admired palm trees. When I was younger, I used to envision the leaves as feathers or bunch of the leaves as fans. This specific picture provokes some questions. It interesting to see such tall trees on a land that is man-made. It makes me wonder about the planting process at the beginning of the constructions of this resort. It also makes me wonder about the trees’ purpose on this resort. Is it for vanity? Is it for symbolism? Are they suppose to provide something to the vacationers?

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This is a photo taken while on a drive to a cottage over the break where I saw the sunset. I’m always captivated by the vibrant colours of sunsets and sunrises. I often love to watch the sunset as it makes me feel at peace after an exhausting day and I particularly like to take deep breaths as it makes me feel calmer. I think sunsets would spark curiosity amongst children ranging from scientific inquiries to emotional connections with the natural environment. In terms of scientific inquiries, the children may wonder where the sun is going, the causes of the specific colours (orange, pink, and purple), why it happens at the same time each day, etc. In terms of emotional connections, I believe that sunsets foster an appreciation for nature, particularly with its beauty in the vibrant colours. The children may also resonate with sunsets and have shared experiences they may want to share with their peers.

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I took a picture of two shells I found on the beach in Cuba. I noticed immediately different patterns on the shells, as well as minor differences in texture. I thought it would also be fun to capture this discovery because as a child I loved collecting shells. These shells are no longer a home to any creature, but it raises the question of who once lived there. Moreover, will these shells one day be home to a new creature? Also, I wonder how shells form different patterns and textures. I think the different patterns, sizes, and textures of shells are a wonderful opportunity for inquiry as children can learn about the significance of shells, the creation of the shells, the species that inhabit them, and the protection of wildlife (especially queen conch shells!). Students can also learn about the different appearances of shells from different geographical locations, and learn about the biodiversity of species that vary among the different bodies of water. In addition, I think learning about shells can also explore topics of culture (where they use shells, such as cowrie shells), or, learning about shells can create opportunities for art projects (using the patterns they observe).

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This little squirrel saw me pulling into my driveway after a long day at school! It seems that we noticed each other at the same time, and it lead me to appreciate the moments where nature and humans witness each other! Even squirrels (animals that we are deeply accustomed to seeing on a day to day basis) are a wonderful reminder of the nature that coexists with us.

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This is a photo of a very large tree in my neighbourhood that is budding. I think it could be a really interesting science inquiry to learn more about trees in a variety of ways – the function of trees, different types of trees and why some grow in some places and not others, the life cycle of trees, or how trees change each season for example. I would start the unit by asking students what they could tell me about trees and what questions they have about them and use that to guide the unit. This inquiry could also involve lots of outdoor experience and could also have children learn more about a type of tree that interests them and share their findings with the class. I would end the unit by revisiting the first conversation by asking them what they now know about trees, and based on what they have learned inside and outside of the classroom, their responses will probably be much more nuanced. This was the format that my associate teacher took when doing an inquiry unit about earth and space in my SK placement, and I thought it was really effective in keeping the students interested and teaching them lots of information in an interactive and collaborative way.

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With the good weather we've been having over the break, I thought winter was finally over! But, on Sunday, we had an interesting mix of snow and hail with sporadically sunny skies! Unfortunately I didn't get to capture the other side, but as depicted in the photo above, on one side of the sky, it seemed very dark and gloomy with grey clouds - almost like a storm was coming. The other was a bright blue sky, one that we typically see during nice warm days, with white fluffy clouds. The stark contrast between the two got me thinking. Ever since I was a kid, I found the sky fascinating - it is so dynamic and never stays the same for very long. I think this raises many questions for children such as: why clouds appear to change colours, why the sky changes colours, and how the time of the day or the weather affects this all. In my practicum, we used to do a daily weather check as part of our calendar morning routine. So I think looking at changes in the sky with different weather could be a very interesting topic to explore!

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*its a lake not a sea, i couldnt think of anything better! 

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I took this pic on the pier close to where I live. Normally when im at the pier, it is with friends and typically late at night. During the march break, I had a bit more time and I was able to visit it earlier, I was lucky enough to catch sun setting. I am here fairly often so I have seen the pier in different seasons, in winter when its frozen over, in fall when it is blocked off, spring when the tiles are covered in mud and summer when it is bustling. Seeing the weather change and more people frequenting it, I believe some interesting questions would be looking at different cycles. How people fluctuate, their interactions with the surrounding environments and more specifically how many people can visit this before it gets to crowded (limited parking) and puts a stress on surrounding areas.

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I took this photo while exploring some of the Halton Hills area with my sisters. Sometimes my family and I would go shopping there, and I had never really considered it a place that could also have a thriving greenspace. I remember being in awe, almost stumbling backwards in order to get a good look at just how tall the trees were. We could hear certain bird calls, as well as the crunching of some leaves beneath our feet. We had to watch our step as roots tangled above and underneath the dirt. I thought a lot about "crown shyness," and how that may be an interesting topic to explore. Breathing oxygen is a no-brainer for us all, and I wondered how long it would take to thank every tree for its work to help us do so.

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As I am taking a walk in my neighbourhood park, I spot a sunflower gently swaying in the breeze next to a steel fence. The contrast between the bright yellow of the sunflower and the cold, hard steel of the fence captivates my eye, especially with the movement of the wind. As I observe closer, I notice insects crawling on the sunflower's stem and birds hopping nearby. Taking a moment to see through the eyes of a child, I can imagine the questions that might pop up. How did the sunflower grow so tall? What's inside those big, round centres of the sunflower? I cannot help but wonder about the sunflower's resilience as well. How does it stay rooted in the ground despite the wind? What happens to its petals and leaves as they sway back and forth? Reflecting on this moment, I'm reminded of the simple joys of nature and the importance of appreciating them. It inspires me to propose a science inquiry about how plants grow and thrive. It also makes me curious to learn and begin a discussion on how plants like the sunflower adapt to changes in weather and surroundings.

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As the seasons change there are distinct changes in the natural environment. Watching the early blossoms on trees marks the transition from winter into spring. These trees are gorgeous to look at and pleasantly fragrant. 

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Found this while walking through some Don Valley trails in North York this past break - oddly enough I forgot to take a picture, but it is fitting because I wouldn't have even noticed these two 'old great willows' had it not been for this Google Maps landmark someone added! The willows were the highlight here - they were truly large, too large to wrap my hands around. I remember in grade 4 or 5 I was so excited about geocaching, where people hide little containers in nature or urban areas and give you clues and coordinates to find them. I wonder if a child scrolling about on Google Maps could find interesting things like this - more than just businesses or bus routes or whatever else I typically use Google Maps for! What would it look like if we mapped out our favorite places to encounter nature as a classroom?

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I originally was taking a picture of the ducks in the background, and then out pops this little creature (zoom in on the log)! Usually, Obi tries to chase squirrels or birds that cross our path, but this creature caused both of us to pause and stare.

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I took this picture because I found the tree to be so beautiful. I loved the fact that the tree was cut down, but there was still so much life coming from it. It raises so many questions, how are these vines growing? Is the tree supporting their growth? Is the vine the same plant as the tree? What will happen in the winter? Was the tree left like this intentionally? Possibilities for future inquiry include discovering what type of tree this was? What types of vines are they? What will this tree look like in a few months? In a different season? I think this tree could create a lot of inquiry.

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A gloomy sky. Cracked concrete. Withered trees. A pharmasave, for all your medicinal needs. Why I took this picture? I like gloomy skies. The suburban splash of cars and plazas is a nice, bleak touch. Questions it raises? Why is the concrete cracked? Who once lived in those withered trees? Do birds fly in gloomy skies? Further inquiry? Suburban animals.