Skype with SeaWorld Orlando

What better way to culminate our animals unit than to Skype with one of the most famous parks for animals . . . SeaWorld? We loved our experience seeing animals from the vertebrate and invertebrate groups we've studied during our unit. Thanks to Ms. Geni and Ms. Sandi for making it possible!!!!! Thanks for this special opportunity!!!!

Butterfly Release Day and Visit to Peachtree

We had an eventful day! Our sweet butterflies needed to be released, much to the disappointment of the students. We read them letters that we wrote to them, and then we released them to live their last few days in nature. The entire life cycle of our Painted Lady butterflies only lasts about 4-6 weeks, so they're only adults for a matter of a few days. We didn't want to keep them captive for their entire lives. Letting them go gave the classes mixed feelings.

We also visited Peachtree Assisted Living for the first time tonight. The residents were so excited to see the kids. We read them a poem and sang them a song about butterflies. We also gave them cards we'd made them. We're looking forward to our October visit!!!!

Busy, Busy Week

What a busy week we've had. We've done research for our big animal project, and we've learned a new way to add two digit numbers. We use a Singapore Math strategy called branching, and it really helps the kids understand addition. I'm so impressed with the work the kids are doing!!!

Life Cycle of a Butterfly

Today we made a hands-on life cycle of a butterfly. This helped to reinforce that we know the four stages of its life cycle are egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysallis), and adult (butterfly). I'm so proud of how much the boys and girls are learning.

Our caterpillars are nearing the third stage in their lives. Each is preparing to form its chrysallis, and then we'll move them into a different container to emerge.

Be sure to have your kids sing the butterfly song they learned today.

Hope to see everyone at Parent Chat Night in about an hour!!!! : )

THE CATERPILLARS ARE HERE!

We've begun the study of the butterfly life cycle by being introduced to our new bouncing, baby caterpillars. (Hee! Hee!) We made them birth certificates, named them, and took pictures! The kids had a great time!!! I'm including a couple of pictures, but visit my website for all the children's pix!

Have a great Labor Day weekend! We're looking forward to seeing how much our caterpillars have grown in the few short days we're gone!

Not at School Today

I'm at a meeting at the board today. We're designing work for our school.

I set up the camera to run all day on uStream, but I checked it a moment ago and it's not working. I apologize. I did try! I'm disappointed because I was even going to check the stream today, too. It was going to be fun sitting on the other side of the computer and seeing what you guys see. Sorry!