Litter Patrol!

Well, maybe the litter-free neighborhood of Dilworth isn't the best place to demonstrate the harmfulness of litter, but we did manage to find a few pieces!  Today's patrol was quite a contrast to Tuesday's short walk (which was along East Blvd.), where we found litter just after leaving the building.  Since we headed toward the park, most of the streets were quite clean-it was difficult to find litter even the stream in the park.  We managed to each get a few small pieces and were able to discuss being a good steward of our Earth in the process. 

Today was a morning of learning through song.  The kids kept requesting some of our favorite educational tunes, so we sang and sang, learning all the way!  After our morning circle, we were thankful the rain was gone so we could head to the playground. 

During our litter patrol, which followed the time on the playground, the children focused on working together as a team (in groups of two).  One held the bag while the other picked up, then swapped.  Using kind words and teamwork was fun work!

During lunch, we had a surprise visitor....Mr. Holloway!  He enjoyed meeting the kids and I thought it was great to see him during the day.....even if only for a few minutes!

After lunch, Evan shared a book about Taking Care of the Earth.  This simple text was a perfect way to end the day! 

Tomorrow will be the last day with Earth as the theme, but will continue with our conservation efforts the rest of the year!

Reduce, reuse, recycle!

The recycling materials are so much fun!  We made music, used the as 'phones', folded paper, and found all kinds of creative uses!

Some children even 'read' the recycling!  "Ms. Ellen, this says 'Sprite'!"

Recycling fun

Fine motor play with recycling (feeding little wooden pieces into bottles)

Sorting the paper

Sorting the plastic

The available materials for the art project

Selecting the art components

The Masters at work

Our beautiful 'Recycle People' are complete.

Magnetic letters in the garden!

Today was the last day of Ms. Ellen's favorite theme.....In the Garden! It was tough narrowing down the final activities, as there is so much learning happening in the garden.  We could do this theme for weeks!

We began by using magnetic letters to spell our name and the parts of plants.  The kids loved it....see?

On Mondays and Fridays, when our whole group is smaller, we work very hard on walking in a line without a rope to prepare for next year's larger classes.  Staying in a straight line.....even a relatively straight line.... has been quite a challenge!  Down the main halls, to the bathroom, outside, and back again.....we work and work!  Today was the best by far- it seems holding hands behind our hands helps.  Just wanted to let you know we are making progress on this important school-readiness skill!

During circle, we focused on math concepts using our favorite songs.  We've posted links here before, but I am reposting them since the kids LOVE them....you can sing them at home, too.



After returning from playing with DUMC friends on this beautiful day, we read a beautiful story:  Max's Magical Seeds.  This kids listened intently and answered inference questions.  After reading non-fiction books all week, it was refreshing to read a non-fiction story.

Max thinks school is boring, and his uncle Bill's idea of livening things up doesn't sound too exciting either. He gives Max a big bag of seeds for his birthday. At first Max is skeptical, but he follows his uncle's instructions and scatters the seeds on his way to school. From that moment on, unusual things begin to happen, and the changes are simply magical. Wildflowers begin to grow throughout the city, where they've never been before. Suddenly Max becomes the most popular kid in school as his class gets to pick the flowers, draw them, and study them. This was the best gift, after all. Here is a lovely story about how small actions can make a big difference in your own life, and the life of an entire community.

During lunch, we watched the Magic School Bus Goes to Seed, above.  They love movies! 

After lunch, we completed a following directions activity to cut out and make our our mini-book:  How a Seed Grows.  Here's a link if you want extra copies.

Have a great weekend and I look forward to seeing you on Monday!