May brought flowers and nature walks and sparked an interest in all things slimy and crawly.
The adventures of Doug the toad.
One early Tuesday morning Ms. Penny was greeted by a surprise visitor who was waiting at the door-a toad-when she arrived at school. The Preschool class was intrigued by this new addition to our community and spent a large portion of their morning observing the toad ("I think we should name him 'Doug'." said one preschooler) in the cage Ms. Penny found for him. We speculated on why he had chosen to come to our building and had answers ranging from "He was lost." to "He wanted to enroll at Endeavor Learning Center." (my addition :)). We also debated-quite hotly at times-whether this unexpected guest was a frog or a toad and finally decided-after consulting the informational texts in the classroom as well as more knowledgeable sources such as Ms. Penny and Ms. Donna-that Doug the toad was indeed a species of animal known as the American toad. At the end of the day, we took the cage-and Doug-outside and watched as he (eventually) decided to leave his cage to find a new home somewhere on our playground.
Domain: Cognition and General Knowledge
Sub-domain: Science
Strand: Life Sciences
Topic: Exploration of Living Things
Standard: With modeling and support, identify physical characteristics and simple behaviors of living things
We missed Doug the Toad so much that we decided to build him his own habitat right in our backyard. We consulted our "swamp" books, decided what materials should be used to make a swamp (grass, twigs and leaves as well as water and dirt), and surveyed the area for the best possible location. Eventually, we choose to construct our new swamp in the fire pit as well as in a small elliptical shaped hole in the ground on the small field behind the school-just to increase the probability that Doug would return to either location.
Domain: Cognition and General Knowledge
Sub-domain: Science
Strand: Life Sciences
Topic: Exploration of living things
Standard: With modeling and support, identify and explore the relationship between living things and their habitats
We enjoyed building a new home for Doug the Toad-even though he never returned-that we decided to create a "swamp habitat" for our "swamp animals" that "lived" in the classroom. We also discovered that plant matter would eventually dissolve if left in water for a few days-a perfect representation of the smell of the swamp-but not so great for the classroom.
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Domain: Cognition and General Knowledge
Sub-domain: Science
Strand: Scientific Inquiry and Application
Topic: Inquiry
Standard: Engage in simple investigations
We also studied the flora and fauna that inhabits the swamp and discovered a flower called the skunk cabbage-that supposedly smells like skunks. Good thing there are not any real swamps or wetlands around our school. One of our older classmates was so excited about our discovery that she shared this information with all the other students-and the adults-and made up a game!
Domain: Cognition and General Knowledge
Sub-domain: Science
Strand: Scientific Inquiry and application
Topic:Inquiry
Standard: Share findings, ideas and explanations through a variety of methods
And of course we had lots of fun reading one of our all time favorite books-Bedtime in the Swamp-and figuring out what the monster really was that chased everybody up the tree. Some of the class stated that it was the alligator while others postulated that it was the "mommy cause she was going to make them go to bed."
Domain: Language and Literacy Development
Strand: Reading
Topic: Reading Application
Standard: Engage in group reading with purpose and understanding
Finally we had our very own "swamp dance party" as we danced to a new CD entitled Cajun for Kids.
Domain: Approaches to Learning
Strand: Creativity
Topic: Expression of Ideas through Arts
Standard: Express individuality, life experiences and what he/ she knows and is able to do through a variety of media
Our interest in swamps dovetailed nicely with our continuing excitement about all things creepy and crawly. We searched for worms to add to our inside worm habitat, created a new "wormy place" outside "so they be safe" and then looked for additional worms to add to our farm.
Domain: Cognition and General Knowledge
Sub-domain: Science
Strand: Scientific Inquiry and Application
Topic: Inquiry
Standard: Engage in simple investigations
Standard: Make inferences, generalizations and explanations based on evidence
We also reenacted "Mouse Count"-complete with "jar" and played "Snake Soccer".
Domain: Language and Literacy Development
Strand: Reading
Topic: Reading Comprehension
Standard: Re-enact or re-tell favorite stories
Domain: Approaches to Learning
Strand: Creativity
Topic: Innovation and Invention
Standard: Engage in inventive social play
We were so excited about our swamp adventures that we just had to share them with our mothers when they came to school for Muffins with Mom.
Domain: Social and Emotional Development
Strand: Relationships
Topic: Interactions with adults
Standard: Engage in extended, reciprocal interactions with familiar adults
We always have fun outside.. whether it is taking a walk with Ms. Sara (and taking photographs of our discoveries), sharing our knowledge with our classmates and friends from the toddler class, constructing fairy houses, making pasta salad for the ants or simply mastering our gross motor skills on the playground.
Domain: Cognition and General Knowledge
Sub-domain: Science
Strand: Scientific Inquiry and Application
Topic: Inquiry
Standard: Use Simple tools to extend investigation
Domain: Cognition and General Knowledge
Sub-domain: Science
Strand: Scientific Inquiry and Application
Topic: Inquiry
Standard: Explore objects, materials and events in the environment
Domain: Cognition and General Knowledge
Sub-domain: Science
Strand: Earth and Space Science
Topic: Exploration of the Natural World
Domain: Physical Well-being and motor development
Strand: Motor Development
Topic: Large muscle, balance and coordination
Standard: Demonstrate locomotor skills with control, balance and coordination during active play
Of course we always enjoy working in the classroom-especially when Ms. Sara puts out new materials (or books) and we discover new ways to utilize more familiar works!!
Domain Approaches to Learning
Strand: Initiative
Topic: Initiative and Curiosity
Standard: Seek new and varied experiences and challenges
Domain: Approaches to Learning
Strand: Initiative
Topic: Planning, action and reflection
Standard: Use prior knowledge to assess, inform and plan for future actions and learning
Domain: Approaches to Learning
Strand: Creativity
Topic: Innovation and Invention
Standard: Engage inventive social play
Finally, we had a "science mommy" come to the classroom to do a special project-involving oil and water and permanent markers-with our class. Thank you!!!
Sub-domain: Science
Strand: Scientific Inquiry and Application
Topic: Inquiry
Standard: Engage in simple observations
Domain: Language and Literacy Development
Strand: Writing
Topic: Writing Application and Composition
Standard: With modeling and support, use combination of drawing, dictating and emergent composition for a variety of purposes
We love spending time with our classmates and the toddlers...whether it is working on a project, discussing (and debating) scientific ideas and opinions or simply playing together in the large motor room or outside. Here is a link to an article from the Illinois Early Learning Institute with tips for supporting your child in their social (and academic) success.
http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/makekeepfriends.pdf
Thank you all for a wonderful year so far!!
Special note: We will be having several field trips throughout the summer. Please try to bring your child at least fifteen minutes before the scheduled departure date (check with Ms. Donna if you need the times and dates) as this ensures that the child completes their transition (bathroom, handwashing, hugs and kisses, etc) before we leave. We are also asking that parents please put on their child's sunscreen in the morning so we can go outside as quickly as possible (especially important for days when it will be too hot later in the afternoon).
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