Last week our caterpillars went into the chrysalis stage and this week our entire discussion was focused on the changes they undergo during this phase of their life cycle. We learned many facts and referred to many books. Our children continued to record their observations in order to keep track of the butterfly life cycle.
Next we moved the chrysalises from the jar they came in to their green net habitat where they would hatch out as butterflies...they were super fragile and we did everything so delicately in order to not let any fall. Once they fall, they will not turn into butterflies...
We continued to work on our personal habitats. A week before we had made butterflies from doilies. Next we worked on adding grass, flowers, and added all the elements of the four phases of the butterfly life cycle: eggs, caterpillars, chrysalis, and butterfly!
Eggs...
Adding flowers...
Gluing the sticks and hanging the chrysalises as the children had planned...
Still Art...
During the last month we have been practicing doing still art where we painted our perception of the flowers in front of us.
We started with daffodils and then worked with tulips...
We got the tulip vase when the bulbs had just sprouted. Friends made predictions as to what color tulips were going to bloom. Soon we saw purple tulips blossoming and our vase was soon filled with a bunch of them. These were one of the rare ones with crinkles on the edges. They are like fringed tulips. We had parrot tulips that opened up beautifully and we could see all the wonderful patterns inside the flower as well.
Friends observing and objectively drawing with markers...
Keen observation...
Choosing pink, purple, and orange as some tulip colors...
K was engrossed with the inside of the flower. She opened it and was excited to see the pollen and patterns inside. It was just beautiful and she tried her best to capture that in her drawing...
Girls peacefully enjoying their art...
M sat untill the end with a flower next to him and referred it over and over again to draw his best observation...
Well, it was not done yet. There was just one more step to finish this new type of art. We sprayed water over it and saw the colors blend and turn hazy...Friends loved to see and learn this new style!
Looked like a shadowy art...
Fabric Art...
This was again a new experience for us where we got involved in painting glue over the fabric, next adding water colors, and ending with dripping acrylic paints...The painting was very textured and colorful and overall, a masterpiece!
Celebrating Dr. Seuss birthday!
We enjoyed Dr. Seuss' birthday by reading his books all week long and making fruit hat kabobs with bananas and strawberries. Some friends wanted to use grapes, so we used those as well.
Friends cut the fruit with an amazing grip using one hand to hold and the other to saw with the butter knives...
G focused to give the banana a nice round cut...
L cutting the tiny grapes and holding tight so that they don't slip off...he figured it in just minutes :)
Friends skewing the fruit to make Dr. Seuss' hat...
E hung a bunch of grapes on the end of his hat like a curly ribbon at the tip...
A topped the hat with a grape and enjoyed the strawberry banana combination...
M chose to use all three fruits and covered her entire skewer to really enjoy it...
Letter Q...
We collaged letter Q's and made them look like a quilt.
Made quesadillas...
Saw the cheese melt and bubble and the tortilla turn brown while waiting for it to cook...
We enjoyed them together in the beautiful weather outside and then went off to play...
Other activities friends enjoyed during the week...
Graphing and counting the gold fish crackers, the best part was eating it in the end!
N graphs his fish according to the color...
S counts her graphing and notes down the number...
Z counts his too and notes them one by one in the boxes below and gives a total count in the end!
Continuing to explore gak...
...and continuing to spend busy days :)
See you'll around!
Hugs,
Teacher Rashida
