Hey there! Today is a big day for us at the Fort. Squeaks and I are heading out on a science trip, and we’ll be away for quite a while. We’re off to learn about Cahokia, a place that was a huge city almost a thousand years ago. Back then, it was the largest city in what is now the United States, even though the United States wasn’t an official country yet!
Some of the things the people of Cahokia built are still around today, like big mounds of earth and arrows. Scientists are studying these to learn more about how people used to live, and we’re going on a special research trip to help out!
Before we leave, we have to say goodbye to the Fort and to you, at least for a little while. Goodbyes can be tough, especially when they’re for a long time. We might feel a lot of different emotions, even some that seem like opposites.
Squeaks says he feels sad, and I do too. How do we know we’re sad? Sometimes, when you’re sad, it might feel like there’s something heavy in your stomach and chest. It’s okay to feel this way because we’ll miss seeing the Fort every day, playing in the park, and cooking together in the Fort’s kitchen.
But there’s also a lot to look forward to! There are big parks near where we’ll be living, and I can’t wait to explore them. We can play ball games, go on slides and swings, and even have picnics when the weather’s nice. Plus, there are farms nearby where we can visit animals and get fresh vegetables for cooking in our new kitchen. Our friend Ruffles the Squirrel lives close by, so we’ll see her often too!
Squeaks is feeling something else too. Sometimes it takes a moment to figure out what we’re feeling. Squeaks says his heart’s beating faster, but in a good way. Could it be excitement? I think so! It’s normal to feel both sad and excited about something big like our move. There are parts that make us sad, like leaving the Fort, but also parts that make us excited, like exploring new places and meeting new friends.
All feelings are important. When I’m feeling sad about the move, thinking about the exciting things we’ll do in our new town helps me feel better.
Even though you won’t see new videos of us while we’re gone, Squeaks and I will still be out there, learning and exploring. We hope you’ll keep learning and exploring too! We’ve done lots of projects and experiments over the years, and you can check out those videos or rewatch your favorites.
In a few days, we’ll make one more video with some of our favorite projects for you to check out. If you try some experiments yourself or learn something new, we’d love to hear about it! Just grab a grown-up and send us a message at [email protected], or leave a comment below.
Thank you for joining us on our adventures at the Fort and for all the wonderful messages and questions you’ve sent over the years. Squeaks and I have learned so much from all of you, and we can’t wait to start our next adventure!
Feelings Journal: Create a feelings journal where you can draw or write about how you’re feeling each day. Use different colors to represent different emotions. For example, blue for sad, yellow for happy, and red for excited. Share your journal with a friend or family member and talk about what makes you feel these emotions. This will help you understand and express your feelings better, just like Squeaks and his friend did.
Build Your Own Cahokia: Use clay or playdough to create your own version of Cahokia. Make mounds, houses, and even little people. Think about why the people of Cahokia built these structures and what they might have used them for. Discuss with a friend or family member how these structures are similar or different from the buildings you see today.
Explore Your Neighborhood: Go on a mini-adventure in your neighborhood or a nearby park. Look for things that make you feel excited or curious, like interesting plants, animals, or playground equipment. Draw or take pictures of what you find and share them with your class or family. Talk about how exploring new places can make you feel both excited and a little nervous, just like moving to a new town.
