week of April 13 |snapshot|

we continued our Spring Has Sprung unit with What Do Plants Need?

all week long in math, the students had fun rolling dice, practicing their addition skills, and drawing in flowers in their Roll a Gardens. K.OA.2

we also learned how to plant and take care of seeds.

each day the students decided if the seeds needed water and would draw their observations in their Seed Growth Recording Sheets. S.K.6

here the students are participating in Spring Write the Room.

the students had fun creating plants like we did last week with animals last week.

You are a botanist who has just discovered a new type of plant. As every good scientist does, you will document your exciting finding. Design a fact sheet highlighting your new plant discovery. Be sure to include the following key pieces of information:

• your plant’s name

• your plant’s basic needs

• where your plant lives

• a colored illustration of your plant in its natural habitat VA.K.3 S.K.6

we held our Spring Parent Open House on April 16th. Dr. Minear's students had exhibits set up to model the hands-on activities we do here at the Campus School. the students always enjoy visiting each exhibit.

Art and Math.

Science.

P.E.

Music.

Cooking.

we had some special visitors at Open House! the Hoopers are back from Honduras for the birth of the sister, Rosie. :)

Dr. Howard's class stopped by and we showed them around our learning centers.

Knowing Our Needs- just like humans, plants require certain elements to develop, reproduce, and survive. plants need room to grow, the right temperature, light, water, air, and nutrients. when these requirements are limited or aren't provided at all, they can inhibit plant growth or cause the plant to die.  students sorted cards into two categories—human wants and human needs. students knew they needed to reach an agreement with their partner(s) as to which category each item belongs. 

“Needs are things people must have to live, and wants are things people would like to have. Needs sustain life, and wants usually enhance living. Humans require food, water, air and adequate shelter. Anything else is human wants. If humans were denied these needs, human life would cease to exist.” 

after all cards were sorted, the students glued them on the Knowing Our Needs poster. 

 S.K.6 SS.K.5

our seeds are sprouting!

we spent one afternoon learning about the parts of a plant

flower

Definition: The bloom or blossom of a plant; the reproductive organ of an angiosperm plant; are the reproductive part of plants. They often have showy petals and fragrances to attract pollinators such as birds, bees, and other insects

Context: Flowers come in all shapes, sizes, and colors.

leaves

Definition: The main organs of photosynthesis and transpiration in plants; are the parts of the plant where photosynthesis usually occurs—where food for the plant is made. The green substance, chlorophyll, captures light energy and uses it to convert water and carbon dioxide into plant food and oxygen.

Context: When you look at a forest in summer, you can see the green leaves of trees.

photosynthesis

Definition: A process used by plants to convert water, carbon dioxide and sunlight into carbohydrates and oxygen

Context: Photosynthesis allows plants to make their own food.

roots

Definition: The usually underground part of a seed plant body; anchor the plants in the soil and absorb nutrients and water that are needed by the rest of the plant.

Context: Roots hold the plant in place.

seed

Definition: A fertilized and mature ovule containing a plant embryo; contain plant material that can develop into another plant.

Context: A new plant will come from the seed.

stem

Definition: Stalk; a slender or elongated structure that supports a plant; support the upper part of the plant and act as a transport system for nutrients, water, sugar, and starches.

Context: The stem pokes up through the soil. 

S.K.6 S.K.6.a

then we made The Parts of a Plant flap book

 L.K.5.c

the students also participated in a Stem Experiment to help them better understand the parts of a plant- we filled two cups with water, then put blue food coloring in one cup and purple food coloring in another cup. we then placed a freshly-cut stalk (you can also use 2 white carnations) of celery in each cup. I used this to demonstrate to students how water moves up through the stem of the plant over the course of two days. the students discussed what happens to the flower or stalk of celery. I explained to students that the celery or a flower changes color because the stem of the plant moved the water (and the dye with it) through the stem of the plant all the way to the top. As a result, the dye changed the color of the plant. S.K.6

after reading The Carrot Seed in the library, the students put together a carrot puzzle.

putting together an ABC flower in library.

limited centers:

discovery- gardening sensory tub

display a variety of seeds in jars for exploring and observing

Create pictures of the various stages of a plant’s development, e.g., the turnip: seed, sprout, plant, turnip. Have students sequence the pictures. 

dramatic play- spring cleaning

block center- how high can you build a beanstalk for Jack? 

art- dip leaves in paint and make prints 

math- Plant Sequencing Cards

computer- online games

Bloomin’ Gardens http://www.primarygames.com/seasons/spring/games/bloomingardens/

Spring Planting Hidden Pictures http://www.highlightskids.com/hidden-pictures/interactive/spring-planting

Plant Life Cycle

http://www.turtlediary.com/kindergarten-games/science-games/plant-life-cycle.html

Listening Center- The Gardener

the weather finally cooperated and we were able to visit the Living History Camp downtown on the 17th. the students were able to explore the life of a 1740's French Marine from Fort Tombecbe, 18th century Botanist William Bartram and an early 19th century Cherokee Woman.

  

grinding corn into meal

Mr. Brian showing us to load and shoot!

one of the desserts the students made this week was Dirt Cake - each student layered their cup with a layer of chocolate pudding (mud), then sprinkle with crushed Oreo cookies (dirt), added a gummy worm and a paper flower they had drawn and stapled to a straw. :)

L.K.5.a S.K.7.a

our Shared Reading book this week was Mrs. Grindy's Shoes by Joy Cowley.

NAEYC's Week of the Young Child was April 14-17th.

The Week of the Young Child™ is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the world's largest early childhood education association, with nearly 80,000 members and a network of over 300 local, state, and regional Affiliates.

The purpose of the Week of the Young Child™ is to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs.

NAEYC first established the Week of the Young Child™ in 1971, recognizing that the early childhood years (birth through age 8) lay the foundation for children's success in school and later life. The Week of the Young Child™ is a time to plan how we—as citizens of a community, of a state, and of a nation—will better meet the needs of all young children and their families.

we made a music video on Music Monday. Through music, children develop math, language, and literacy skills - and of course, have fun while being active! In their popular song, Thingamajig, Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band use some very unusual words! 

 we exercised and ate dessert tacos on Taco Tuesday.

This fun, food-themed day is more than just cheese and salsa. With the rise in childhood obesity, teachers and families can encourage healthy nutrition and fitness habits at home and in the classroom. Cooking together connects math with literacy skills, science, and more. 

we made Message Balloons and set them free on Work Together Wednesday.

When children build together they explore math and science concepts and develop their social and early literacy skills. 

  and unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate on Artsy Thursday so our playground mural will come later. it was a wonderful, busy week and I hope the students felt celebrated and appreciated because they are loved and will always be loved here at the Campus School!