Zoology Spring Studies

The kids are really excited about our new arrival. We will be learning about Praying Mantises. When they saw that it was an egg, the questions having stopped. We love learning about insects and watching how they go through the life cycles. The egg arrived early today and this study has already been our main topic of lessons. This time around the children will use nature journals to draw the changes of our new pet. I will write what they dictact to me for those who are unable to write.


Here are the first pictures I took of two children observing the egg while I was setting up the habitat.

                           A closer look at the egg.

A book with information that is really preschool friendly. The book also comes with suggestions for other books about Praying Mantises that I hope the library has avaliable.

                               Model of the life cycle stages.

                    A really cool poster that illustrates the life cycle too.

           The Praying Mantis egg will reside on our nature table.

I purchased these items from insect lore.

                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                      

The Childrens' Science Museum

On Friday we had a field trip to a science museum. It is my favorite place to go with my own children. The museum always has different attractions for the children to explore. On the weekends there are special activities set up for the children to complete and take home.

 Arriving at the museum we were met with a greeter that invited the children to explore and went over the basic rules of the museum, like no running. The lady then asked them to raise their hands if they have any questions.

And if your a montessori child your first question is Can I have a lesson on.......?

The main attraction was this talking character explaining the science behind snot.

 
   The children really enjoyed making bubbles with all the different tools.

    Andrew is making a bubble that he can stand inside of.

 
Climbing a wall that helps you understand the journey that snot takes to come out of your nose!!

Tonging to remove parts of the human body. It is a life size operation game.

                            Another favorite.

                    Walking through the maze of the heart.

                             Anna trying out the weight scale.

 Z doing chest compressions. Z remembered the demonstration I gave to them during our lessons on the heart. I shared with the children that the most important skill I must have is being certified in CPR. It always makes my heart smile when I see a child retain information, and when given a chance to they apply it.

It got real busy quickly as middle school children entered the museum so we decided to go check out the fun the toddlers were having where the museum has dedicated a special place for toddlers.

Playing at the water table.

                 Climbing stairs to get to higher places.

           Lil impressing her mother with her table setting skills.

                          
                                           More water fun!!

                                 The water kept Happy busy the whole time.

Happy became very upset when it was time to leave. While the kids were putting their things away because it was time to leave, Happy took the moment to help herself to the water shoes and she put them back on.
Maybe next time she will be able to put them on the right feet =)

I am linking this post to Science Sunday, and Montessori Monday.

                                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                         
                                                                            
                                                               

Today Is Friday!!

 I have a lot of things going on right now so I thought I do our weekly wrap up this Friday. Lots of fun we have had this week. Some photos of the kids while working.


                              Having fun with colored ice cubes.

                     

 Working with the continent puzzle map. Anna has been doing this activity a lot. Now that she can complete the puzzle she is wanting to learn the names.

                           Pouring buttons.

                          Writing and reading the names of the objects.

                            Making a number book.

 
                           Building numbers with the golden bead materials.

                                Ordering the days of the week.

                              Sorting Lucky Charms.

 The toddlers posing for the camera while working with the alphabet scoop and lace work.

                             Building with nuts and bolts.

                                     Tracing a shamrock.

I am linking this post to  Homeschool Creations  the Preschool Corner where you can find other children doing preschool activities.                                               

New Works For This Week!

This week I added new works to the practical life area ,and a few works for certain children who are interested in learning how to tell time.

                            Pouring buttons.

                      Transferring marbles with fingers into the jar.

                      Transferring water with a baster.

                    Punching stars.

                   Sorting fruits with tweezers.

                                                 Telling Time
     The following works came directly from Karen Tylers' History Album. 

              Learning to sequence the day 3 part cards.

 Ordering the days of the week. I love this work and is really a surprise to the children to learn that Sunday is really the first day of the week. On the mat to the left is the control chart.

                                                                             

Shhh..... Don't Tell!!: Lets' Read

Lil and Jessica arrive every morning at 5:15am. Occassionally they may go to sleep after breakfast, but most of the time they stay up and are ready to do work. Well most of the time I am not ready to see little ones working with the sensory bin,etc. I turn the t.v. on and maybe it may pacify them for another hour which has helped a lot in my overall energy level for the day, see my last child  for the day leaves at 10:00 p.m.  So I have been poppin in Leap Frog Letter Factory DVD and guess what ? The girls know their sounds, letter names and happily share their information. I guess a little educational programming dosen't hurt after all. Their mother was amazed when she realized they could recognize their letters and sounds. Their mother was sharing how they point out letters and say the sounds and sing a cute little song, she thanked me for teaching them these things.  I was happy for Lil and Jessica then I shared with her my little secret.

This DVD was actually DJ's favorite movie when he was about two years old. I got the same results from him too. I highly recommend it if you allow your children to watch t.v. In my opinion children who are read to everyday probably will get the most enjoyment out of this movie!

                                                                          
                                                                         

Giving Lessons: Montessori Monday

Ah! The beauty of  the montessori classroom !! We are getting there one work period at a time. I almost wasn't needed last week. The children started giving each other lessons. I am so glad we have continued on this journey to make montessori education a way of life.


             Lesson on how to tie a shoe.

                           Showing Happy where the sheep is.

                Showing Happy how to sort the objects by sound in the "I Spy" basket.

                        

Mumble got his turn to receive a lesson. When he asked DJ if he could watch him work with the Geometric Solids.                                                                      
                                                                            

Last week I saw a part of me in the children. I witnessed this numerous of times with my own children. But it was clear and evident that the children were imitating me when delivering their lessons. Thankfully I have been on my best behavior! Lol.

To see other children doing activities inspired by the montessori method please visit Montessori Monday hosted by One Hook Wonder.