Our caterpillar friend and bird feeders...

On Tuesday some of our students noticed a small caterpillar in the hallway near our boots. He was alive, but very cold. We discussed what we could do, and decided to put him in one of the cages we use in the spring for our caterpillars. I explained that I had never seen a caterpillar in the winter and I wasn't sure what would happen next - we talked about the possibility that he might make a cocoon or he might die. We were very excited the next morning -not only was our caterpillar alive, but he had climbed to the top of the cage! We remembered that our springtime caterpillars did the same thing before they became Chrysalids. This was such a perfect opportunity for us to talk about living things, animal needs and habitats, and respect for animals. It just so happens that in February we are doing a big animal unit and research project! I am glad this little guy wriggled into our little end of the hallway!

This week our Social Skills lessons were focused on noticing and caring about other people and their feelings. We discussed how some things happen by accident - we need to apologize when we do or say something that might upset a friend. We have been working hard on using kind words and paying compliments, as well as apologizing when we need to. We have also talked a lot about "feedback" - we understand that feedback is helpful and can help us change so that things are easier or better for us. We need to listen to feedback, think about it, and then make the change or follow the advice. Several children have noticed that they have better notes when they accept feedback! We are proud of them when they do!

We read many Jan Brett books this week and noticed that her books always have animals in them who do and say the same funny kinds of things that people do! We read, "The Mitten", "The Hat", "The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse" and "Armadillo" -ask your child if he/she had a favorite!
On Friday we read a book called "Snowballs" by Lisa Ehlert. It inspired us to make some collage bird pictures like the ones in her book, and to make some bird feeders so we could feed the winter birds.