Spring Forward

This week we focused our studies on the coming spring season. We discussed how our current winter season is different from spring and how to spot signs of spring (warmer temps, baby animals, trees budding and flowers beginning to bloom along with the appearance of insects) We played various movement games and sung a few spring songs.

We read:
Spring is Fun by Walt K. Moon
Grow Flower Grow! by Lisa Bruce
Clifford's Spring Clean Up by Norman Bridwell
Pet the Cat The Petes Go Marching by James Dean

Potting Soil Play

We added flowers to our play dough play

We created new place mats by watercoloring over crayon designs. The children really enjoyed seeing how the crayon came through the paint.

We played a movement game in which students selected a flower and had to do the movement written on it.

Students squirm like worms

Walking like a spider

crawling like a snail

For a whole group activity - students practiced strengthening their fine motor skills by tearing paper, crumpling tissue paper and squeezing out glue to create spring trees for our classroom display board.

During open play students created sun catchers by squeezing glue onto a lid and swirling color dye with a toothpick.

On Wednesday we discussed the parts of a plant/flower.

I added food coloring to the water of each flower and after discussing how plants take in water and nutrients - made predictions about any changes we may see with the flowers.

During circle we talked about how in addition to things blooming -- as temps increase they may start spotting some insects. As a whole group activity - students were challenged with creating their own bug using paper shapes, glue and googly eyes. They were invited to name it and share any other details such as the kind of bug it was or what it ate.

During open play - students had the opportunity to paint with flowers.

During free choice - students had the opportunity to create "do-a-dot" flowers. They used dotters to create patterns and then were challenged to cut out sections of the plate to make them appear like petals.

"This is a round bug named Googoo. Googoo eats celery".

"This is a bumblebee it eats ladybugs."

"This is a ladybug named Lisa. Lisa eats ants."

"This is a flying bug. His name is broccoli."

"This is a bug named the bumblee Atlantis. It eats worms and bugs."

"This is a praying mantis named Pinch. Pinch has two tummies and he eats mosquitoes."

"His name is James. He eats spiders."

"My insect is called Naw Naw. It bites! It eats grass."

"This is a happy bee named Chloe. She eats honey."

As an art choice - students were invited to paint egg cartons to become flowers.

Another art option - creating colorful caterpillars

During circle time we played a puddle jumping game. Students jumped on the "puddles" as rain-themed music was played. When the music stopped they were encouraged to share the letter that was on their puddle. They loved it!

On Thursday after circle time we had a journaling session. Students were tasked with drawing a picture of something they enjoy doing in the spring when the temperatures are warmer.

"In the spring I like to play on my swing set in the yard."

"I like to hug in spring."

"I like the rain!"

"In the spring I like to see the flowers."