Kristi's rollers, Assekonk

Teaching day today, and, although the weather threatened to be uncooperative, I really lucked out and was able to take all of my sixth-grade environmental ed. classes at Wheeler Middle School outside for nature walks in the general direction of the Assekonk Swamp. I emphasized fall color—the foliage was spectacular—and how nature tells time, but the highlight of any trek outdoors with the kids was trying to find frogs and salamanders. This trip was no different. One rock in particular captivated every class, and, without fail, at least someone tried to roll what was probably a 500-pound boulder. It looked so easy, and, the rock-rollers told me excitedly, there had to be a critter underneath. No one, of course, succeeding in even budging the stone, but we did manage to find great stuff nearby, including a not-very-red eft stage of the Red-spotted Newt. At least no one wound up with back strain.

RS newt, Assekonk