Bumblebees!

Our story was a little late with all the morning action!

We began with a great circletime focus on sounds.  Each child read, with varying degrees of support, a simple CVC word AND changed it one sound at a time to make several other words.  Together as a class, we sounded out and spelled the topic: BEE (as well as 'bug' and slug').

Ms. Kelly shared this story.  From Amazon: Bugs galore fill this playful fantasy. Set in the undergrowth world of insects, the bugs decide to hold a contest to determine the bugliest bug. During the contest the insects are acknowledged for their particular attributes by the judges who turn out to be arachnids in disguise. The arachnids have ensnared the bug "snacks" in their web when Dilly Damselfly comes to the rescue. Dilly reminds the bugs that the only way to save themselves is to do what they do best. "The army ants marched and the mantises prayed...Then the stink bugs united, gave off their worst smells. 'P.U., we give up!' the spiders all yelled." In the predictable, but satisfying ending, Dilly is proclaimed "the bugliest bug of us all!"

This book taught us about the habitat of bees.

 Ms. Michelle joined us for OT this morning.  Did you know she was recently featured as a Smarty Mom?  It's amazing that she is able to incorporate such a variety of goals in her activities.  Today was no exception- she brought animal puzzles with matching letters.  The children needed to first determine the starting letter of the animal, then use a scooter to find the letter on the other side of the room.  Finally, they used magnetic pieces to create the letter then write it on a white board.  It's amazing how well they follow directions when the are listening....AND want to complete the task!  Sharing was a sub-goal, as there were only three scooters.

As part of our discussions on bucket-filling, we learned about 'tattling' this morning.  There is a good bit of this and we prefer that the children try to work it out first (telling each other what they like and using kind words to ask nicely that a behavior be changed before requiring teacher intervention).  This song, by my favorite HarryKindergarten, was a big hit.  Have a listen:

After OT, we headed out for a little fresh air and stopped to watch workers cutting down a huge old tree.  The boys were enthralled by the equipment and the workers.  One was even lifted straight up via a harness and a crane to the top of the tree.  So exciting!

My husband, Allen, just happened to be driving down East as we were walking, so he stopped to say hello.  A discussion ensued:  is he a stranger or not?  'Yes', some said since we don't know him,  'no' others said since Ms. Ellen knows him.  Further, the kids wanted to know if he is my daddy.  After mutual discussion, they finally decided that I'm the Mommy and he's the Daddy at my house.  Good to know....  Kids are so funny!

Tomorrow we will learn more about bees and their keepers.