Inspire to Imagine

During our Pond Life unit, we read "Around the Pond: Who's Been Here?" by Lindsay Barrett George.  One of  the animals discussed in the book was the beaver.  The kids showed a lot of interest in this creature.  They suggested that we look in our animal reference books to learn more about it.  After reading more, looking at and discussing the pictures I placed the book about beavers and a beaver lodge that I made out of a black foam produce container and twigs in the science center.  Two students in particular were very intrigued by the beaver lodge.  On their own, they got square connectors from the shelf and created something great! I asked them to tell me about what they made and below is their story.

The Beaver sleeps in a castle.  He climbs up and falls into the bucket.  The castle is in the water.  He sleeps in it to dream.  He plays in the sticks.  It's his playground.  His castle is safer because it has a door and can close and lock it.  The stick playground doesn't have a door and it just floats in the water.  Monsters might get him there and eat him up.  The castle doesn't have a kitchen so he's moving to a house.  But, now he goes to Buffalo Wild Wings.

Frogs are Fun

Learning about frogs is always fun!  Our tadpoles have arrived and they are growing quickly.  The kids spend a lot of time watching them.  I've put a discovery box beside the aquarium that contains a frog puppet, plastic frog eggs, tadpole, froglet and frog, a life cycle puzzle, as well as a variety of books about frogs and how they grow.

Having resources available for the children to explore helps to reinforce the lessons that we do during circle. These resources also create opportunities for the children to make connections, practice observational and scientific skills and discuss what they are learning with each other and me. 

We made frog puppets to give us a meaningful visual of how frogs eat.

We sponge painted brown paper lunch bags.

Next, we attached eyes, arms and legs.

I attached a plastic fly at the end of a party blower.

After making a small slit under the flap of the bag, I pulled through the blower.

  

The kids had a great time making their frogs eat lunch and exhibit other frog-like behavior.