Hi Everyone,

It has been a beautiful week on our BCD campus.  The trees are all in bloom and the leaves have opened up!  One day, we even observed an Oriole sipping nectar from the apple blossoms on our playground.  We were alerted to its presence as it was singing its beautiful Spring song.

We also started our unit on Entomology, better known as “Insects and Arachnids.”  Our Science Corner now includes real insects in jars, reference books, compound eye glasses and a poster depicting what it looks like inside an ant hill.  Our Math Corner includes insect and arachnid counters and Measuring Earthworms.  In addition, we have new insect puzzles and insect games.  For the playground, we have insect houses, butterfly nets, bubble scissors and insect necklaces.  We established the policies of not squishing bugs, unless one is stinging us, like a mosquito or black fly.  We never try to capture bees, wasps nor spiders, as they would sting us. 

On Tuesday, the children made bug catchers from paper towel rolls.  Mrs. Atwater put her’s to good use in the classroom on Thursday.  Later that day, we put jelly, yogurt, a banana peel, an apple core, butter, ketchup, cinnamon, flour and salt on separate plates and in various places on the playground.  The children hypothesized what they thought the insects would like to eat.  At three different times during the day, we observed the plates.  The children discovered ants in the jelly, ketchup, apple core, banana and peach plates.  They also observed the salt had disappeared; some of the cinnamon was gone and the butter was gone.  Upon discussing these observations, the children concluded that the butter had melted, as they observed a liquid near the plate; the salt plate had been tipped over by the wind, as it was windy and some of the cinnamon had also blown away.  Most of all, their conclusions were that ants are attracted to jelly, ketchup and fruit.  Even in Pre K, children can apply the “scientific method” when doing experiments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Wednesday, we celebrated Jack’s Star Day.  His mom, Susan, dad, Ted and his three bunnies, Murray, Harry and  Petie joined us for his special Morning Meeting.  We learned that when Jack was younger, he liked to “do music,” listen to stories and tickle his toes with his daddy’s beard!  While he continues to enjoy “Daddy Toes” and listening to stories, now that he is older, he also likes to play with action figures, play outdoors and going to school.  We also learned that when he was in Boston, he loved running through the fountains and getting soaked, even though it was October!  Jack’s photo board was beautifully decorated with purple stars and pictures of Jack growing up.  It also inclued photos of his family and his dog, Gracie.  Jack brought in a bag full of his favorite books.  They included “The Giving Tree,” by Shel Silverstein and a collection of books which were illustrated by Jane Chapman.   Ted read us “The Little White Owl,”  which was also illustrated by Jane Chapman and written by Tracey Corderoy.  Later in the day, Miss Guerette read “When We’re Together,” written by Claire Freedman and illustrated by Jane Chapman.  For snack, Jack shared some yummy vanilla cupcakes topped with a tiny chocolate peanutbutter cup.  Susan shared a fun way to eat cupcakes that she learned from her dad when she was a little girl.  First, you eat the peanutbutter cup.  Next, you break the cupcake in two, by taking the top of it right off.  Then, you put the bottom on the top of the part with the icing.  Ta-Da!  You now have a cupcake sandwich!  Try it sometime, we think you’ll like it!  Thank you for such a delicious snack.  Happy Star Day, Jack!

Next week we will continue our study of insects.  This week we learned about ants.  Next, we will learn more about bees and ladybugs.  Since we have met all of the characters in Letterland, we will talk about “The Vowel Men” and learn how to write some of the letters.     

 

  

Important Dates and reminders:

  • Monday, May 30, No School, Memorial Day
  • Wednesday, June 1, Field and Fun Day, details TBA
  • Wednesday, June 8, Last Day of School, Closing Ceremonies, ~ 11:30a.m.   Children will be dismissed to their families at the conclusion of this event.  All School Year End Picnic, ~ 12 noon, Families are invited to bring a picnic lunch and lay a blanket out on the BCD lawns, just like at Tanglewood!  Well…almost!
  • Please remember to return Library books
  • Please replenish extra clothing

Enjoy the Weekend!

Ellie and Joni