Releasing the butterflies

We've been watching our butterflies for the last couple of weeks as they changed from larvae to caterpillars to chrysalis, and finally emerged as butterflies.  It's been fascinating for the children and at the same time its been a lesson on survival of the fittest.  Of the 5 larvae that we started with, 1 didn't emerge from the chrysalis, one emerged with only one wing and 3 others were intact and happy to be released onto the playground.  They landed on a few of the children and then flew off!

Beach field study

This week we culminated our study of Puget Sound sea life with a trip to the beach for a minus tide.  There is nothing better than the beach on a sunny day!  We found moon snails, star fish, crabs (dead and alive), mussels, sand dollars and lots of shells.  It was a fun day!  Earlier in the week we drew pictures of sea life on the playground and measured them using a variety of tools.

Grandparent/Special Friends Day

Today we welcomed some special visitors to our class.

There were opportunities for working on puzzles,

sharing a laugh,

decorating a pot,

and reading together.

Some even tried a little 4-square.   Next year we'll read up on the rules first.

Our last first Friday of the year!

Painting the feet wasn't so bad but evidently having them washed really tickled!

We love having the big kids in class!

They helped us draw and write stories (but mostly, they are really nice to us!).

We wish there was one more first Friday!

It's hard to overstate the benefits of mixed age visits in the pre-k room.  Every child gets paired up with an older child and the fun begins.  The older children are so patient and willing to help.  They read with us, draw and write with us, listen to us and laugh with us.  The big kids ooh and aah over our accomplishments and encourage the little ones in their work.  The benefits go both ways-the big kids love all the "stuff" in our room and they enjoy the adoration of the younger kids!  

Busy times!

One of our Serpent friends treated us to a mini lesson on playing the violin.

There are things growing all over our room!

We're exploring new math concepts . . .  

. . . and writing about things we have growing.

We had 312 ladybugs in class this week.  

A little teamwork on a sunny day!

We had to let some of those ladybugs free!

Our bean plants have topped 15 inches tall, our caterpillars are in their chrysalis and the ladybugs (the insect ones) are munching on raisins.  We are a hive of growing and happy children (and insects).