Starlight
Buzz, buzz, and buzz. The Starlight program has gone absolutely buggy! With the arrival of summer, our afternoon kiddos have been observing many sights: Mainly the creepy, crawly critters that inch around our campus! After releasing each classroom’s painted lady butterflies, our students maintained their interest in bugs. Several girls and boys spotted ladybugs during a recent playground visit. This spawned numerous outdoor ventures including math games (counting all the dots), literacy experiences (The Very Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle) and gross-motor activities (ladybug chase derbies). Lots of fun! Also, the children have been carefully hunting for any trace of earthworms. Using magnifying glasses, creature catchers and insect houses, the pupils continue to investigate these slithery fellows. They’ve learned so many facts, including…
- Earthworms actually breathe through their skin
- They have no ears and no eyes
- Worms love to dine on leaves
- Earthworm tunnels help to irrigate soil
- Some earthworms have up to five hearts!
As temperatures soar, the Starlight group continues to engage in whole-school water play events. Magic Garden’s shaded play areas are equipped with numerous sprinklers, water buckets, super soakers and tons of sea creatures. The Starlight crew loves frolicking with friends while beating the heat! Coming up: Summer fun with Independence Day crafts and more group games!
Twilight
For the Twilight kiddos, summer is a signal for all thing related to the ocean! Our weekly storytime with Ms. Maria has adopted a new theme: The Great Sea! Our boys and girls have enjoyed many new selections of literature, including Alistair Underwater by Matthew Sadler, Mister Seahorse by Eric Carle and You’re a Crab: A moody Day Book by Jenny Whitehead. The pupils also continue to take part in our “Sharing a Treasure” meeting times each Wednesday afternoon. Our kiddos truly showcase excitement and enthusiasm for the prized possessions they bring to school. One child shared lava rocks from Hawaii! Another passed around artifacts from the Grand Canyon. One student presented us with a collection of magnets. Very cool!
In other Twilight news, chemical reactions remain to be a current trend. Pairing vinegar and baking soda is a Pre-K miracle! Recently, the Twilight gang utilized this concoction to inflate a balloon. Pop! Also, the children discovered that lemon juice could be used as a substitute for vinegar. Who Knew!? The students continue to suggest more pantry items to experiment with. Flour! Salt! Food coloring! Stay tuned! Coming up: Summer fun filled with building more giant sculptures and afternoon playground hops!