6 Weeks To Go

Our month started with a mystery....why were the tulips on one side of our school doors blooming, but the others were not?

Real life, relevant questions are great foundations for learning. This question allowed us to discuss the Scientific Method. Make a smart guess, (hypothesis) Think of how you can test your idea, test it and prove yes or no.
We had great ideas like, maybe they were a different kind of tulip which bloomed later, maybe they were planted at a different time, and maybe one side got more water. We finally decided to check the light. By watching throughout the day we  proved that the blooming side received more sunlight than the other side. 

We had a visit from West Pierce Fire and Rescue. After a video about making safe plans for escape from our homes, we went out to see the truck. We got another peek at a fireman's gear and took the required photo in front of the truck.

 Next came Earth Day and the Cheetah Walk. We created a booklet after discussing why protecting our planet was important and how we could help. We also raised $2,000.00 to donate to Cheetah Conservation Fund!

Our spring concert was a huge success! We had a final rehearsal with Mrs. Engstrom's class on Monday.

 Tuesday night, we got all cleaned up to sing for our families.

 In class we have been studying ladybugs and butterflies. We received eggs and caterpillars to watch their metamorphosis.

This part is IMPORTANT. Please show the following pictures  to your child. (I hope you share all of them but I promised this part.) 
On Wednesday afternoon when I went to add some drops of water to the ladybugs, I smelled a strong smell in the container. The soaked raisins I had put in  for their food, were fermenting! Drunken ladybugs! I could not clean the container without releasing the critters so I took them to the butterfly garden. I was able to get a couple of pictures of them crawling out and on leaves for the first time. I apologized to the children the next day but promised to share the pictures...

On Friday we released the butterflies. Butterflies only live for about a month.  So, even though it was sad, it was important to let them have their life in nature

If you look carefully you can see one of the Painted Lady butterflies on a flower stem that Marquez is holding.

We had many sad faces and even tears as we said goodbye. I told them I understood. That it was kind of the way I feel on the last day of school when I have to say goodbye to all of them. We have been a school family and it will soon change.

The rest of the year goes by so quickly.

But there is plenty still ahead.
I hope you can join us for Field Day and Beach Day!

Have a great weekend,

Ms. Rae