Absorption, Dinosaurs and Relay For Life

After our squishy friend, the Dimetredon spent several more days in tub of water, the children made some careful observations. They decided that it not only grew in length, but in width. How was this happening? A class discussion followed of how the squishy material of the dinosaur soaked up water just like a sponge!

So, in the water table of the Exploratorium, we decided to test different materials to see if they would be absorbent after making predictions.

There was also lots of comparing and contrasting going on with transferring materials. The small eggs, were round, shiny and bumpy. The brights stones were oval shaped, shiny and smooth, and they grey rocks were not shiny, rough and were many different sizes and shapes.

 "We are the dinosaurs, marching, marching......We make the earth flat!"  Often the boys and girls will sing dinosaur songs that we have been learning as they work and play!

In the art center, the children created dinosaur habitats with torn paper strips, cray-pas and crayons.

Everyone has been enjoying painting dinosaurs at the easel. This is a long neck!

Tracing and shading in dinosaur stencils was another favorite activity in the art center.

"Bones, Bones, Dinosaur Bones," by Byron Barton showed how paleontologists dig and collect the many bones of dinosaurs. Then they piece them together to see what the dinosaur looked like, just like a puzzle!

The boys and girls can't wait to get to the Paleontology Lab to see what they can learn!

After learning that dinosaurs hatch from eggs, we made our own dinosaur eggs. First the children used pincher fingers to tear strips of paper.

Next they dipped their strips in a paper mache mixture and used gentle, scissor fingers to wipe off the excess.

Then they began covering their egg shaped balloon, very carefully smoothing the strips of paper.

Once the eggs were dry, the children painted them with glittery paint.

Thanks to all of you for joining us for the Relay For Life Picnic!

Exploring on Friday was full of dinosaur exploration and FUN!

With the use of eye-hand coordination and strength, the children used the hammer to break open their dinosaur fossils.

Wow, how exciting to see the dinosaur fossil that they had created right before their eyes!

For a yummy snack the children had broccoli (trees and plants) like the herbivore dinos and pasta (bones) like the carnivore dinos. Most children were very hungry omnivores, believe it or not!

Making dinosaur puppets was quite a hit!

Then they used their puppets to shadow dance with Mrs. McIvor. The children loved seeing the specific characteristics of the different dinosaurs dancing about on the screen.

Upcoming Dates:

3/7   Spring Break Party    10:00 start

3/8- 3/17  Spring Break

4/2   Field Trip to dentist

4/26 Parents Day  8:30