We had a special Good Friday chapel this morning to show how Jesus takes our sins on Him.  Each person came and painted a black dot on the cross.  Jesus takes all of our sins to the cross and leaves them in the tomb.  They are forgotten; they are no more!  Praise God for the best gift of all - the gift of salvation! 

Gym time! 

Pastor Matt came to play!  The friends had a lot of fun chasing him.  :) 

Free choice time 

We saw so many birds! The friends were excited to make the tally marks for each bird we saw.  

We saw a new kind of bird too!  We worked to identify the bird using our bird identification chart, but the bird was not there long enough for us to see what kind it was. 

"I am making two houses.  One on each side!" 

"We made a castle!" 

Going bird watching 

Engaging our senses as we explore the birdseed. 

Making a sign up sheet for the bird seed increases fine motor strength and wiring skills. 

During morning meeting we read this book again and continued our discussion from yesterday. 

We wondered if birds eat beetles? 

We discussed what kind of bird we think this is.  We also used this picture to continue our discussion of whether or not birds eat beetles. 

Discussions like this help us learn social skills, expressive language skills, and also increase our interest in the topic discussed.  Furthermore, the fiends learn that it is okay if someone has a different opinion.  :) 

"Well this bird looks like he is going to eat that beetle bug." 

"But is this book real?  Maybe it's not real." 

After rest time we watched a movie about Jesus' death and resurrection.  We learned that although the movie is a cartoon, it is true.  :) 

14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant[a] is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them." 

John 13:14-17

This morning during Jesus time, I washed each of the friends' feet.  I reminded the friends that Jesus loves them so much that He died and rose again to wash away all of their sins. 

During small group time we watched for birds outside our classroom window.  We were so excited to see a robin and a finch! 

We read books about birds with Mrs. Zwettler.

We made birds out of play dough too! 

As a whole group we made a chart of the two birds we saw and how many times we saw them.  We used tally marks to record our observations.  We practiced on to one correspondence, counting, and comparing! 

In the gym we strengthened our core, ran laps, and had a dance party! 

Free choice time 

Bird watching 

Adding tally marks for the birds we saw.

Writing morning messages 

Ordering numbers 1-10

"We have to keep these eggs safe!" 

These friends counted out the birds to try to make them equal on the different squares! This self-initiated activity shows the natural love of learning that the friends have.  We want to foster this love of learning as they grow! 

Engaging our senses as we explore volume with the birdseed.

Making bird nests 

Working together to build a tower

We love reading! 

During morning meeting we read this book.  It led to a discussion about whether or not birds eat beetles.  Some friends thought yes, while others thought no.  We will have to explore this!  We also noticed a crow in the book!  One of the friends said, "I know it's a crow because it is black with a yellow beak just like in the book of birds." 

Second free choice 

Making nests for the eggs

Observing birds

Adding tally marks to document the birds we have observed 

"I think we saw this bird? What is it's name?"  

Literacy is incorporated as we study birds through books and the bird identification chart.

Many of the classes made cards for Mrs. Lipsey.  We are so glad that she is back! 

Collaborating to complete puzzles. 

Making bird houses out of good junk increases our problem solving and creative thinking.

During small group time we read books about birds.

We played a bird bingo with Mrs. Lipsey. 

We also drew a picture of Jesus and answered the question, "Who is Jesus?"