We're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo!

We had a wonderful day at the zoo!  The weather was beautiful and warm enough to have a picnic, the animals were active and visible, the chaperones were attentive and helpful and we practically had the zoo to ourselves!  Equipped with our clipboards we observed the animals and their habitats and recorded our data.  We'll be using the information we collected in our classroom when we build habitats and write books.

Working with the Shark class, designing the
infrastructure for a zoo.

Interpreting data from a survey.

Researching animal communication

Writing books about animals

making animal representations using model magic

We need a new circle time rug,  we think the one we have is too small.
My friends are measuring for a new one!

The numbers on those tape measures are very small!

While some of these pictures show the Shark kids doing some of the activities, these were activities that both classes participated in.  We are using the project approach to engage young learners in our classrooms.  We work together to learn more about our topic of discussion.   More important than learning about the animals in this case, is the learning to learn that is taking place.  Each child has chosen an animal for exploration.  They will be doing some research (with help), surveys, writing,  math and art.  We choose topics that are of interest to the children and that give us many opportunities for tying in different types of learning.

Who loves swimming? We do!!

We're Back!

science enrichment class- the egg drop experiment

Boxes are the best when you are 4!

The Navigators came to read to us this week.

Board games in the Navigator room was a lot of fun!

We wasted no time getting back to our routine last week.  It all started with a big box!  It's amazing what you can do with a box and how many people will fit in the box.   The box ended up being a ferry boat complete with a dash board and gauges.

Snow has been on everyone's mind this week, so we made handprint and footprint snowmen.  Stop in and check them out.

On First Friday, we had a new group of enrichment classes.  This time our kids got to choose which class they went to.  We had kids in board games, legos, buddy reading, and science.  They had a wonderful time working with the older kids.  They are confident and resourceful, it's amazing how fast they grow!