Butterflies are Free

We had an amazing morning.

It was time to release our butterflies.

Mr. Douglas opened his beautiful flower garden and welcomed us in.

 

When we opened the butterfly habitat we expected the butterflies to fly out but they didn't.  I'm not sure if it's because they were born in captivity or because it was cold outside today.  So we gently coaxed them onto sticks and the children carried them to the flowers.

I enjoyed watching how gently and respectfully the children cared for their butterfly as they carried it.

  

Then Grandma Delores arrived with a plate of butterfly shaped cookies, yum.

 

Mr. Douglas also brought us stickers and butterfly booklets.

 

After thanking both Mr. Douglas and Grandma Delores and saying goodbye to the butterflies we went for a walk in the neighbouring park.

 

We found flowers and blew away the seeds.

 

Then found lots more flowers and dandelion fluff.

We enjoyed a picnic.

Then finished off our morning climbing on the big rock.

It was a great morning for being outside, even though the sun wasn't shining.

Adjusting the Sensory Table

I mentioned earlier this week that the children were walking right past the sensory table this week.  

It could have been that there was a lot of different play invitations elsewhere in the room or they just weren't interested in what I had available.

So each day I would add something new.

I added worms - yay, that encouraged a few more to play.

 Then I added big white beans .

That did it.  
Families are busy at home planting seeds and this reinforced their experiences.  
                             
Dig a hole, drop the seed in, cover and gently pat the soil.

 Discussion continued about what the seed needed to grow.
Water and sunshine.

The children also wondered why the worms were in the garden.
Wouldn't they eat the plants?  A grandmother explained how the worms dig tunnels so the water can flow through the soil to help the plants grow.  I love having so many teachers in the classroom.

Butterflies Emerging in Life and Art

It was a very exciting day for us at StrongStart.

Our butterflies finally started to show themselves.

We were able to watch the whole process and I think

the adults found it just as fascinating, if not more,  then the children did.

Pushing it's way out of the chrysalis

Almost out, uses it's legs to push

Letting it's wings dry.

While we watched we painted.

Wondering what colour the butterfly would be.

The children were asked to write a story about their butterfly.

It is quite joyful to watch life happen.

 And to document it.

Hungry Frog

Do you remember the game "Hungry Hippo"?  

Well I found one called Hungry Frog and the kids and their grown ups had so much fun playing with it today.

The room was quite noisy a few times with the frogs

munching away.

This is what I saw:

Taking turns. 
Figuring out where the balls went and how they came out.

Counting how many bugs (orange balls) the frogs ate.

Even trying to control two frogs at a time.