This morning we reviewed the true story of Noah and the ark.  We remembered that God keeps His promises! 

Outside time 

"CRUNCHY CRUNCH!" 

Exploring in the outdoor classroom 

After outside time, we went to the sanctuary to practice our song for special person's day.  

During small group time today we continued to exercise our fine motor skills with play doh. 

With Mrs. Dohrman, we dictated our response to, "What is a bug?"  We are also collecting questions to ask the naturalist on our field trip next Monday. (September 17th) 

With me, the friends continued to practice sorting.  We discussed how they sorted the beads as we practiced. 

During free choice time the friends were excited to open the Bug Hotel.  

Play is a way for children to express themselves.  Play enhances social skills,language development, creative thinking, and problem solving.  (Among many other important things!)  The friends, all by themselves, created a "safety procedure" for visitors to the bug hotel.  

"Hello.  Welcome to the bug hotel.  Can I have your credit card?" 

"Sure." (Hands pretend card) 

"What is your password?" 

"All the numbers." 

"Okay great.  You're Madelyn?"

"Yes"

"Welcome to the Bug Hotel.  Enjoy your stay." 

"We need a list of who is in the hotel.  I am writing their names." 

Some friends made a hotel for the bugs out of magnetic tiles.  There are many opportunities to practice important social skills as we learn to work together as we build.  

"I see the stick bug!" 

"I am matching the numbers." 

"I can help you match the numbers too!" 

During morning meeting we read The Very Hungry Caterpillar.  Some of the friends asked, "Where is the door for the caterpillar to come out of the chrysalis?"  "Does he come out the back door?"  "Is it flat?" 

Children construct their knowledge based on their experiences. We could have easily explained to the friends the answers to their questions, but it is more impactful to their cognitive development to provide an experience to answer these questions.  As the saying goes, "If it is in their hands, it is in their heads." 

Thankfully, Mrs. Cronauer, our kindergarten teacher, had a caterpillar that made chrysalis but did not complete metamorphosis.  This provided just what we needed for the friends to experience a real chrysalis. We discussed how it looks a little different than the picture in the book. 

After we observed the chrysalis, we had more questions.  

"How did the caterpillar die?" 

"Will Jesus rise the caterpillar from the dead?" 

We added these questions to our list to research and explore as we go throughout our project!  

Second free choice 

I noticed that the friends were typing the numbers in a pretend number pad.  

So I quickly drew a number pad on the entrance for the friends to enhance their play and practice number recognition. :) 

One of the friends brought this book from home to read with the class since we are learning all about Noah in Jesus time.  Thank you for extending our learning at home too!  :)