Worm farm

On the last day of worms we made a worm farm.  Everyone had a job alternating sand, dirt, mud, and food (egg shells, lettuce, banana peel, etc) and squirting water after each layer to keep it n ice and moist.  Then we dumped the worms on top and sprayed them.  We got to watch the worms burrow down in to the worm farm.  It was so cool to watch them dig their tunnels.

After the kids left I covered it with black paper on the sides and top so the worms thought it was night.  The next day we could see the worms up against the jar and their tunnels and the layers mixing.

Gummy worm science

I didn't get a picture of this before the kids got to it.  But it was just and aquarium of water with a bowl of gummy worms, tongs, and tweezers.

The kids came and took them in and out and in and out.  We observed the changes in the worms and the water as the day went on.

We left them over night and saw what happened.

You can't really see - but they BLEW UP!  They were huge.  It was awesome!

Sensory table: worms

Since there was so much rain in May we also had a lot of mud and worms.  We took a week and talked and explored and discovered worms.  For the sensory table we of course had worms!   We talked about not hurting the worms and also washing our hands.  

It looked like spilt mile

For our large group we read "It Looked Like Spilt Milk".  Then using a mixture of shaving cream and Elmers glue we made our own cloud pictures.

Then (using the 3 line kindergarten paper) the kids wrote what their cloud looked like.

Disappearing clouds

The pictures for this activity looks lame - but the reality was better.  First off this is black paper - not purple.  I didn't take a picture before the kids came.  But I had four black pieces of paper.  I drew a cloud on each.  Then I put 4 cups of water, a paint brush, and four pieces of white chalk.  The rest was up for experiment.  But the idea was that you could make the clouds disappear using water.

Weather science: making clouds

We made clouds in a jar.  I can't remember the specific steps right now.  But it included boiling water, aerosol hair spray, and ice.  If you google making clouds in a jar you will find it.  The children were very amazed and excited about the clouds.

Easel starter: cotton balls

Like most of the country we had a really rainy May.  We took this opportunity to study weather, clouds, and rain.  For an easel starter one day I glued some cotton balls to the top.  The children made some beautiful pictures with them.

Butterfly symmetrical paintings

At the art center one day we made butterfly symmetrical paintings.  I modeled for them during morning circle time on how to accomplish this after talking and looking at some books about butterfly wings.  1 - we fold the paper. 2 - draw half of a butterfly shape on one side.  3- paint within the lines on that one side (go fast before it dries). 4 - fold over and watch your butterfly come to life!

Paper plate butterflies

For large group activity one afternoon We made paper plate butterflies.  This was a simple activity - but my main goal was to show them what they could easily do with a paper plate - hopefully spurning some creative thought.  After this activity I added paper plates to our writing center and they did come up with a lot more art activities on their own for paper plates.

Butterfly life cycle

During our large group activity in the afternoon we learned about and drew our own butterfly life cycle.  My objectives for this activity were following directions, fine motor development, and some creativity with-in boundaries.  They could draw and color their pictures how they wanted - as long as they were eggs, butterflies, and caterpillars.  This can be a tricky concept.  They either want to be told how to do something - or have free reign.  This had a nice balance.

Egg, to caterpillar, to cocoon, to butterfly and back to egg.

I just love all of them!

Egg carton catepillars

After reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar we made egg carton caterpillars.  Sadly this is the only picture I took of the process.

Wet pasta

Wet pasta is so fun in the sensory bin.  Mostly because it is something that kids are never really supposed to play with  - but it is so tempting.  

I used mostly penne and bowtie - tying together our theme of caterpillars and butterflies for the day.  But I don't think the kids noticed to connection - they were too busy playing with the wet pasta.

Marble game

More working together - this got very sophisticated!

Pattern block bugs

As spring came we started learning about butterflies, bugs, and birds.

Pattern blocks at the math table.  I love when the children work together and help each other - great collaborative work!

White flowers science

I found the pictures from my previous post about our white flowers experiment. 

Here is one of the flowers starting to change.  You could see the blue down some veins and on the edges.

On the last day we wrote "flowers at the end" and drew a picture.

Tissue paper watermelons

We ended our watermelon day by writing the word watermelon.  I gave each of them an example using the 3 line school model.  We talked about it first at large group.  I dare say there kids are ready for kindergarten!

Then we drew a big watermelon slice and ripped and glued tissue paper to make a watermelon.

Then glued some seeds in.