Farm Animals!

For joy school this week we learned all about farm animals. Each child had a mask and was either a cat, a sheep, a rooster, a horse, a cow, or a pig. Then we sang different rounds of "Old McDonald Had a Farm" and when it was that child's turn, he/she would sing the song using sound effects. It was funny to hear them but also funny because the eyes on their masks were too far apart, so the kids couldn't see all that well. :)
Next, we had an Easter egg hunt. But this time, after the eggs were found, we brought all of the Easter eggs back into the center of the floor where we matched the mommies and daddies with their baby animals. It went like this:
hen, rooster, chick
goose, gander, gosling
cow, bull, calf
pig, sow, piglet
sheep, ram, lamb
The pictures matched up, so that part was easy, but it is tough to remember the names of the babies and the mommies or daddies. Later, we did a good puzzle where we had to match up the parent with his/her baby that I really like. It is great reinforcement since only certain pieces actually fit.
Also, I had checked out multiple books on farm animals from the library. I gave the kids a few minutes to look at the pictures in their books, before switching with the friend next to them. It was fun for me to see them so excited, looking through the books to see pictures of cows, horses, pigs, ducks, etc. Then we discussed things like, "What kinds of things do farm animals eat based on what you saw in the books?" "What is one new thing you learned that you can share from looking at these various books?"
After this, we had craft time! The kids colored their animal masks, and made the pictures of their sheep. That craft idea came from this website: http://www.allkidsnetwork.com/crafts/animals/farm/sheep-craft.asp They turned out really cute. I am bummed that my camera battery was dead so I couldn't take any pictures. It was a lot of fun today. Thanks!

The Life Cycle of the Butterfly

On Tuesday we learned all about butterflies. One of my favorite things are butterflies! I just love this time of year, when flowers are in bloom, the weather is getting warmer, and butterflies are out. They are just such pretty insects, so we had a fun day learning all about the life cycle of a butterfly. We read a book about a classroom of kids who watch butterflies grow from little eggs on leaves to caterpillars to butterflies.
I asked the kids what they already knew about butterflies. They responded that butterflies are colorful, they receive nectar from flowers, they grow from caterpillars, they fly, they are like moths, etc. As I read the story, we acted out the various parts. It was funny watching them move and eat like they were caterpillars and then fly like they were butterflies. Annie has these cool stacking blocks which have the life cycle of the butterfly on one side, so the kids then helped me stack them high in sequential order.

Next it was craft time! Here are some pictures of our crafts that we made. First, here they are decorating their leaves which have the egg that the caterpillars will hatch from.

Then the kids painted their caterpillars, using egg cartons and pipe cleaners. They looked pretty cute.

Next, the kids each made their own chrysalis, or cocoon where the caterpillars crawl into and go through a metamorphosis before becoming a beautiful butterfly. (We wrapped string around an old tube). I was impressed that Calvin knew the term "molting" for when caterpillars shed their old skin many times in their lives.

Lastly, the kids colored their own butterflies and glued them to craft sticks. Then they ran around and "flew" their butterflies. I am always impressed with how artistic and detailed Ava gets.

Our snack was juice, Pirate's Booty, granola bars, and craisins. It was a good day. I think it would be really neat to get a butterfly kit as a group, so the kids can raise and then release their very own butterflies. Something to think about!