Since I missed reporting about our farm trip (in a timely manner), I'll briefly say that it was a fun time and a great learning experience for the children.  We are still talking about bees.  We now have plenty of bees of our own to see - on the trees right outside our front door.  At circle we sing a song about bees (song to follow) and then we taste different flavored honey.

For the past few weeks - for those of you who don't have the opportunity to visit our classroom - we have been learning about the garden.  So far we have been exploring insects and flowers; vegetables to follow.  At circle we read several books about planting sunflowers.  This is followed by eating sunflower seeds.  Soon we will be planting sunflowers - if I can find some room in our garden.

Our snow pea and snap pea plants are already producing beans.  Hopefully the roma beans and green beans will follow suit.  I love to see the children walking around the back yard snacking with handfuls of green things.

I have a huge request.........please don't let the children see you killing any insects - not even spiders.  You can tell them that you are putting the insects outside so they can find their spider (or whatever) family.  It is very confusing for the children when they see insects killed at home, and then I tell them that it is not a good thing to do.  Honestly I have been know to kill a few insects, but the children don't have to know that. We have a great book about a boy just about to squish an ant.  We talk about this at length. 

Some of you have asked about our songs.  The following are a few:

I use this song to lead the children back to the classroom away from the playground.

ANTS
The ants go marching one by one hoorah, hoorah
The ants go marching one by one hoorah, hoorah
The ants go marching one by one
The little one stopped to look at his thumb
And they all go marching down to the ground to get out of the rain

The ants go march two by two, hoorah, hoorah
"                 "                       "
"                  "
The little one stopped to take off his shoe 
And they all go marching down to the ground to get out of the rain.

(This is where the children take off their shoes before coming inside.)  Songs and routines are a wonderful, way to gain the children's cooperation.

BEES
Here is the beehive.  Where are the bees?  Hidden inside where nobody sees.  Open the lid and then you'll see...buzzzzzzz

I'm picking up the baby bumblebees
Won't my mommy be so proud of me
Cause I'm picking up the baby bumblebee.
Ouch - she stung me.

Then we discuss how we can pick up other insects, but not bees.  We talk about how bees are busy doing their work - collecting pollen to make honey, etc.

PLANTING SEEDS
Pretend you are a little apple seed.  Dig a hole; put in your seed; cover it with soil - pat, pat, pat.  Then I'll sprinkle you with water, and the sun will shine on you.  You will grow bigger and bigger and bigger.
(This is where we stand up and wave arms in the air.)
Way up high in the apple tree
Two little apples looking down at me
I shook that tree as hard as I could (shaking the tree)
Down came the apples and Ummm, they were good.
(I pick up different varities of apples and offer each child a bite.)

MISTER SUN
Mister sun, mister sun, mister golden sun
Shine your light on me.
Mister sun, mister sun, mister golden sun
Hiding behind the tree.
These little children want to ask of you
To please come out so they could play with you.
Oh, mister sun, sun, mister golden sun
Shine your light on me.  (using the sign language for light)

****************************************************


Aidan assisting, at circle, with the "Very Hungry Caterpillar" story - on his birthday.



Alex - almost made it in!

        

 Ava T. serving apples to the children.

Ava M. emerging from porthole.



Carter's birthday



Charlie collected eggs today.  He likes the green one.



Eli's birthday


These blue flowers are love-in-a-nest.  After they dry, the children will be bringing the seeds home to you.  They grow like weeds - only better!



We are reading "Down by the Station", and Jacob is the conductor.



Deiva found the first snap pea.




Johnny's birthday



We are reading Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and learning letters, as they go up the coconut tree.  After the story we all ate some (real) coconut.

Makena at circle - excited about something ....


Samyukta made a tin of muffins (with a candle) and is featuring her birthday hat.



Penelope's birthday.



Enjoying the ride.



Aaron is sending letters up the coconut tree.



Dante is trying to not "spill the beans".


Joseph is figuring out what goes on behind the closed door (of the puzzle).


Parisa is learning to count with the uniflex cubes.



Ruben is creating another masterpiece.


 
Olivia likes to explore.  She found a crow's feather.