Next we learned that Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of our country and that his face is on the penny and the $5.00 bill. The children used magnifying glasses to view these coins and bills more closely and count them while placing them in to a piggy bank.
Some children chose to make penny bracelets by placing 4 pennies on to sticky contact paper and then using all their strength to make a hole punch at both ends. Then they cut a strip of yarn to thread through the hole to make their bracelet complete!
Oh my goodness...."Freddy the Frog" had some very exciting creatures in the magic basket this week! DINOSAURS! The boys and girls learned that the fierce Tyrannosaurus Rex was a carnivore, using his big strong teeth to eat meat including other dinosaurs. Next they were introduced to the Triceratops, a plant eating herbivore, who uses his three horns to defend himself from other dinosaurs. Why are these fascinating creatures really extinct? What could have happened? Many predictions have been read about and then the boys and girls added to that list!
The boys and girls were ecstatic when these new friends joined us at the listening center to hear a dinosaur story!
Then the exploration began in full force as the boys and girls investigated the many types of dinosaurs in the classroom, talking with friends about their unique characteristics, comparing and contrasting their likenesses and differences and identifying their pictures in reference books. Some children have even been roaring like the dinosaurs!
While one child was solving a Stegosaurus puzzle, another child found a picture to help him.
Wow, a new paleontologist lab just opened in the Exploratorium and many scientists have been quite busy observing dinosaur fossils and bones with magnifying glasses and flashlights.
Others are busy searching for possible areas for dinosaur digs!
After learning about different dinosaurs, the friendly frogs decided that we would especially like to know more about the Diplodocus and the Pteranodon. Although, we learned that the Pteranodon is actually not a dinosaur, but a flying reptile that lived during the same period. So, we decided to paint banner paper with dish sponges and rollers. Then the children added shapes to create a more interesting texture. The warm colored paper will be used to create the Pteranodon.
The cool colors of blue and green will be used to make the Diplodocus.
Our mystery reader this week read, "Where is My Truck, " by Karen Beaumont. The children enjoyed helping the little boy in the story find his lost "T R U C K, " as they spelled it out loud as he looked in each place. Finally, we found his truck!
Recently, the children have been learning about the violin with Mrs. McIvor in Music class. It is amazing how they catch on so quickly.
In Exploring on Friday, the children worked with color mixing. Adding a little bit of blue sparkly paint and a little bit more deep magenta was quite an experience as the two colors were blended together in shaving cream. "What color will it make?" After predictions were made the children mixed and mixed, resulting in beautiful shades of lavender.
Designs such as these extensive train tracks were drawn in this lavender sea of shaving cream! What fun!! Some had a REALLY good time!
Another activity was mixing a little blue tempera and a little more red, resulting in many shades of purple.
Then instead of asking the teacher to add a little more blue or a little more red or magenta, the children made those decisions independently by combining different amounts of blue and red colored water into their own bowls to see what colors they might make.
After choosing a small plastic dinosaur, the children put it in a cup. Next they mixed plaster of paris with water and poured it over their dinosaur. Next week they will break open the hardened substance, and what will they find? We will see!
What will happen to this squishy Dimetrodon dinosaur if it gets wet? Will it absorb water? Mrs. Samuel and the children measured the dinosaur to be 2 wooden blocks long.
We decided to find out by placing drops of water on the dinosaur. We will continue to observe and see what will happen.
Speaking of absorption, the children watched in amazement as their oatmeal flakes grew and expanded as the warm water was added. Then, the little tiny colored eggs in the oatmeal hatched, and guess what came out? You are correct, baby dinosaurs!
So, if you would like a new breakfast item added to your menu at home, try this! Almost everyone not only loved it, but they ate the whole thing!!
Upcoming Dates:
Tuesday Feb 26th - Class pictures will be taken promptly at 8:15. Please have your child at school on time dressed in school uniforms only!
Thursday Feb. 28th - Relay For Life Cookout (If you would like to have lunch with your child, please respond by filling out the form sent home by 2/25. Also, please bring a blanket as it will be a picnic!
Friday March 1st - Exploring 10:00 start time/ Please have your child wear their valentine t-shirts that will be sent home this week.
Friday March 1st- Shorecrest Gala
March 8th-15th Spring Break
Tuesday April 2nd - Field Trip to dentist
Friday April 26th - Parents Day
