Between the sunshine, friendships and happenings inside the classroom, today was one of those days that all was well with the world of a 1st and 2nd grader. We prepared various food mixtures for the butterflies so that they wouldn't be hungry when they emerge. Honey and water, sugar water, melon and dandelions are all on the menu for our Painted Lady Friends. During Writing Workshop friends wrote about their own favorite meals as they described the colors, textures, tastes and smells of macaroni and cheese, asparagus and steak! From here we had a classroom discussion about eating. How do people eat? We crunch, gnaw, nibble, and chew. How does Wilbur, from E.B. White's Charlotte's Web eat his slops? He slurps, rolls, snorts. How does a Painted Lady eat? She sucks through her proboscis. We were all in agreement that butterflies don't eat sandwhiches or popcorn (and we mourned that for the butterfly for a bit), but discussed why creatures have various eating habits and nutritional needs based on the tools and resources we have access to.
Quotes, Wonderings and Observations
"Ms. Brooke! (as she is climbing) These circles look like those things we've been studying in math!" Fractions.
"Look I can swing like Avery does on the rope swing in Charlotte's Web!"
More information about ancient seahorses and what the phrase "ancient pygmy' really means can be found at www.nationalgeographic.com
Snapping Turtles don't attack humans in the water. In fact if you are attacked it will be on land and after a lot of warnings. If you find yourself bitten by a snapping turtle, don't kill it because their muscles will contract and that will hurt more. Also, snapping turtles grow even older than Ms. Brooke. :)
Frutas de Flores
Thanks to Ms. Danielle and our families for creating a sweet Spanish experience based on the idea that April Showers Bring May Flowers. Spanish was all over as friends discussed their frutas and flores with friends. When we finished eating we composted any scraps. Friends enjoyed celery, strawberries, apples and grapes. Yum!
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| What should be feed butterflies? |
Waiting...
Each day we tiptoe over to the butterfly home hoping to see a darkened chrysalis and the flap of a new wing. Friends wondered today if that is how Ms. Heather and Ms. Shanti feel as they wait, wait, and wait for their babies. Waiting is a lot of work especially when it looks like nothing is ever going to happen! The Racerunners already have grand plans for hatching new butterfly eggs on their food sponges and are hoping to bring in some sunflowers and hollyhocks so that the butterfly friends feel right at home...if they would just hurry up and emerge already!
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| Friends are reading about the final stage of the Butterfly Life Cycle |
My heart is overjoyed at the writing that has emerged from our friends this year. It is clear they have learned how to pull from their reading and create their own voice and style. As they wonder about life inside of the chrysalis, I couldn't help but pulling a few pieces of writing to share with you - a glimpse into their hearts and always creative minds.
Sleeping Deeply. 7 days to 10. Growing wings and legs and tongues. Beautiful wings form and grow. They darken and soften and grow. They dream of when they are a butterfly. Finally open. Eats some of the chrysalis. Pumps blood into wings. And flies away. - M.M.
Life inside the chrysalis is probably cramped, but it might not be. It would be nice if it had a hot tub and a pool and stuff like that. A flat screen too. A flying monkey. I like pickles. - K.M.
It feels scary.
It feels like you're on a sea.
It feels like shelter protecting you from predators.
It feels like a butterfly.
It feels like a tide.
It feels like you're alone.
It feels like you're in a cave.
It feels like sitting still.
It feels like waving grass.
It feels like a tree.
It feels like a still garden. - H.L.
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| Reading in the shade at recess. Love the adventures these kiddos are taking. |
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