Spring

As the world continues to blossom and bloom around us during this season of spring, the children continue to observe and document the changes they see around them. This past week, the children were excited to notice that our tadpole has grown new front legs! Every morning, each child carefully sketches a picture of the changes they observe in our tadpole. We have watched his back legs grow longer and his tail grow shorter, and it was sure thrilling to see the beginning of his new front legs. After they complete their sketch, the children write about the changes they saw. To help them with their writing they use our word wall, familiar books and invented spelling.

The seeds we planted have started to grow, and we are excited about replanting them outside. The children enjoy pointing out the roots they see in our clear, see through planter. We are beginning to see some basil and tomatoes begin to sprout too. It’s exciting to observe first hand all we have learned about seeds.

The children were delighted to receive caterpillars! When they arrived, they were so tiny! In a couple of days, the children remarked how much they had grown. “Look Morah, this one is as big as the picture!” Joshua exclaimed excitedly. To learn more about the changes they will see, we read the book: Watch Me Grow, Butterfly. This gave us an opportunity to revisit the concept of symmetry. We also looked at many pictures of butterflies. Then, the children drew up a plan to create their own butterfly. They used tissue paper and markers to complete their plan, and this became the cover for their butterfly journal. It is exciting to anticipate all the changes we will see!

In math we explored how to use a ruler to measure. I asked the children, “What does it mean to measure?” They responded, “If you want that much of something, you have to measure!” “Measure how heavy something is!” “We can measure butter to see how much you need in ingredients.” “Let’s say you are making a building. You want it a certain size. You need to measure to make it that size.” “You can measure how tall and how heavy to see how strong you are!”

“Okay,” I said holding up a ruler, “Then what would we measure with this?” The children answered, “ A book and a calendar.” “How tall you are.” “How big a card is.” “Paper.” “How tall a can is.” We decided that everyone was correct! There were so many things we could use a ruler to measure. Next, we discussed that our rulers measure in inches. We learned how to line up the zero line to the beginning point of what we want to measure, and how to read the measurement. Then, we all had a chance to practice! The children enjoyed measuring with the rulers so much, that they often use them in their play.

Learning about bugs and insects was perhaps one of our favorite lessons so far! We had a chance to apply all that we learned when we created our own unique insects! The children took their knowledge of the parts of an insect, and how they live and survive, to create their own insect. They named their insect, drew a picture and told how their insect protected itself, where it lived, and what it ate. When we completed our project, the children then presented their insect to the class! Their ideas were so creative! Here is what the children said about their insects:

Valeria’s insect is a “Shoo Fly.” “He is a good bug. When he protects himself, he flaps his wings to shoo away the other insects. He eats the bad flies that kill plants. He lives in NJ, but he also likes to fly to Mexico!”

Levik’s insect is “Clowny Bug.” “He lives in Silly Town. He eats bread. He is a good bug because he shares his bread. He is nice to everyone, as his protection, so no one bothers him!”



Joshua’s insect is a “Walking Log” insect. “He lives outside the crevices of houses. He eats many ants. He is a very good bug because he has lightening bolts that kill bad bugs. He is strong too, and he can lift a person with his wings! This helps bring people to places.”

Peretz’s insect is a “Fivel on the Frying Pan” insect. “He protects himself by digging a big hole in the ground with nails on his feet. He eats cockroaches, so he is a good bug!”

Simona’s insect is a “MuskyAthing” bug. “He eats little, little, centipedes. He flies up in trees when he sees danger. He lives in NJ.”

Eliana’s insect is “a Plow Fly.” He lives in NJ. He is a good bug. He eats little, mean bugs. He could be a pet. When he puts his head down, he looks like a rainbow!”

Mendle’s insect is a “Googaly, Bubugaly, In Your Face and In Your Figaly” insect. He lives at the circus. He shoots poison from his foot to protect himself. He eats confetti! He is a good bug because he makes kids laugh!”

Let us know if you should see any of our insects!