February 2015

In January, we saw the dinosaurs come back to life in all the areas of the classroom. Children learned about different types of dinosaurs and their varied diets through an herbivore and carnivore sorting work. We also learned about volcanoes and their parts and looked at pictures of environments before and after eruptions to explore the concept of time. Children were able to make their own erupting volcanoes with mashed potatoes and watched broccoli “trees” get swept away by gravy “lava” before enjoying the snack with their lunch.
 
It’s so hard to believe that February is already here! Although short, we have many exciting things planned. We opened our unit on Antarctica with a visit from a Lila family member who did research at the South Pole. Children gathered at circle to listen to the hardships of living in the white desert as well as the rewards and unique experiences of living at the cleanest place on earth. Penguins have found their way into the Lila classroom, and children will be learning about their body parts and life cycle. Also,  our Antarctica A-Z booklet will allow children to explore different features of the continent using each letter of the alphabet. In our botany section, children will find information about the Antarctic Pearlwort, one of the only flowering plants on the continent.
 
In addition to Antarctica and penguins, we have also been introduced to the concept of empathy and what it means to be empathetic towards others. Our language section has been updated with conversation cards that ask children “what would you do?” in situations that call for empathy, compassion, and understanding. Using red to symbolize the color of empathy, our practical life area has been made over with red water for sponging, pouring, and basting. Our sensorial area has been updated with heart shaped fabrics for matching. In our math section, children can count and add hearts together to exercise their mathematical minds. At circle, we listen to stories of empathy between family, friends, and strangers to strengthen our own understanding of the concept.