Growing Weeks I & II

Growing Weeks I & II marked a continuation of our over-arching unit, All Living Things Grow, which began several weeks ago with "Baby Weeks".  During the past two weeks we focused on plant life that "grows" from seeds!  We read both fiction and non-fiction books on the topic, and sang several "growing" songs.  Our class discussions were focused on the Science of how seeds grow.

During Growing Week I, we spent time planting flower, bean, and grass seeds.

We also spent time watching and waiting for them to grow!

Other classroom activities included:

Plant Puzzles

Flower Arranging

Painting Bird Houses

Making Flower Sculptures

Growing Week II bore witness to the miracles of nature as the seeds planted just a week earlier, sprouted and grew!!!

We closely examined the bean seeds that had germinated over the past two weeks, exposing their roots, stem and leaves. 

At Music and Movement time the carpet became "soil", the light fixtures became the "sun", and the children became "seeds" that "grew" after I "watered" them.

Additionally, we spent time observing and exploring all of the lovely flowers and buds that are now in bloom at Parker School.

The children displayed great interest in the Unit Blocks that returned to the classroom this week, and constructed structures that reflect growth in complexity and sophistication!

Of course the highlight of our theme was our Field Trip to Five Rivers where we had a first hand look at Spring in all its (delayed) glory!

We also bid Farewell to our wonderful student teachers.  Many thanks to Sara and Alyssa for all of their caring work with us this past semester!

Thank You to Michael's mom Kandi for coming in as our Guest Reader this week!

Artist in Residence Program 

The children enjoyed their time with our Sean, John and Chris as they participated in our "Artist in Residence Program" over the past two weeks.  For the Pre-K Students, the program begins with an age-appropriate introduction to the timeless storyteller William Shakespeare, then moves to a more detailed focus on the art of storytelling, while providing the children with ample opportunities to engage in music, movement and improvisation, and culminates with our young students participating in a school-wide performance for the Parker Community.  Our "Artist in Residence" program broadens and deepens the children's exposure to, and participation in the arts, while providing a great opportunity for the children to assume their place in the larger Parker community!

Looking Deeper:  Exploration and Learning through Play

Let's take a closer at Science in the Pre-K classroom, and the ways in which "hand's on" experiences facilitate "concrete learning" of "abstract concepts" !

As I mentioned "Growing Weeks" are part of a larger Unit of Study that I call; "All Living Things Grow."  Generally speaking, "Growing Weeks" are a time to explore and discuss plant life that grows from seeds.  It is strategically scheduled to coincide with Spring so that the children can simultaneously observe and explore all of the things that are beginning to grow once again after our long cold winter. 

As you may remember, we began this unit with "Baby Weeks."  During "Baby Weeks" we explored and discussed our personal growth since we were babies.  We discerned that babies need three important things in order to grow; healthy food, plenty of rest, and plenty of exercise.  Incidentally, these are the same three things that assured personal health and growth as per our discussions during "Doctor Weeks."  As you can see the children's learning is interconnected, as the concepts we explore support and build upon each other.  These past two weeks as we explored, discussed and planted seeds, we discerned that seeds also need three things to insure their growth; namely, soil, sun and water.

Growth happens over time, and cannot be observed directly in the moment, and so we provided the children with Science activities that would concretely illustrate these abstract concepts. 

The children were memorized as they observed our germinating seed!  This activity best illustrated seed growth to the children, as they were able to see an "actual plant" emerge from its seed!  

Above and beyond this, interest and excitement abounded when actual Plants emerged and grew from the seeds that they had planted!

Young children find Science to be magical and exciting when they engage in "hand's on" Science exploration.  The only way for them to "learn" Science, is for them to "do" Science!

Have a fun and restful weekend!