I’ve had a hard time finding my way to the blog lately, but I’m here at home in the middle of the afternoon. Last week marked the sixth week of school, traditionally a time when we start to settle into our routines after getting to know each other and the preschool rhythm. This year is just different. I’m still contemplating changes in our schedule and our approach to learning and playing together. It is amazing to see the friendships that are developing here. We genuinely care for one another in the Honeybee class.
This butterfly year was beautiful, and these creatures really let the Honeybees see the process of metamorphosis. Some of us saw the caterpillar turn into a chrysalis, and we got to see the butterfly’s wings unfold as it emerged. One of the Honeybees just sat quietly and then said, “What just happened?” as we talked about our caterpillar’s changing. The butterflies are always a great way to say goodbye to summer. We talked a little about the word migration and why creatures migrate.
If you remember that one of our primary rules is to EAT, you’ll know we loved making applesauce together. I think we probably need to do it again. If anyone wants to borrow the peeler to do this at home, that is the children’s favorite part. We also measure the apple peel, and it is often two times as tall as your Honeybee. They also loved chopping the apples after they were peeled. There are a many wonderful tools available at For Small Hands, a Montessori resource for teachers and families. I love those their safe chopping tools. We also had an apple and honey tasting with Stammard, Figi, and Granny Smith apples Marci brought us from Doe Creek Orchard. Our favorite as a group was the Granny Smith. (Also the honey) We talked about how bees make honey from nectar, and we remembered that butterflies also eat nectar.
Last week we had another meaningful experience with Lily the Boa Constrictor. The Honeybees were full of questions. Some of us were cautious and some of us held, hugged, and wanted her on our bodies. We liked the way her skin felt and noticed that she was not warm.
We have been visiting our volunteer pumpkin in the back meadow. I think we’ll pick it soon and share it between the classes. We learned “Five Little Pumpkins” this week at circle time. When we return to school we’ll be playing with pumpkins, talking about why the leaves change color, and collecting acorns. We’ll read harvest stories, see what is inside the pumpkin and count the seeds in groups of ten. I always hollow out a small pumpkin with the children and then fill it with dirt in a sunny window and watch the seeds sprout into small plants. On the last day in October we’ll roll pumpkins down the back hill, play pumpkin games, and perhaps nibble pumpkin and apple breads for a small Honeybee Harvest Festival.
Here the kids have run across the playground together following two low flying geese who were honking very loudly. This gave us another opportunity to talk about Fall, the changing season, and migration.
If you have any beautiful changing leaves in your yard or on your walks please feel free to send them in next week. We’ll be making leaf art and talking about the different kinds of trees.
