More Eric Carle books...

We completed our Eric Carle author study this week with more wonderful books. We read a funny book about a box of rubber ducks that fell off a cargo ship and floated away, and painted ducks of our own!

We also read a book titled, "The Tiny Seed" and used photographs of our arms to hold flower bouquets. We wrote in our journals about seeds and what they need to grow. 

We had fun with these chameleons after reading "The Mixed-Up Chameleon" and learned a little about real chameleons too.

Next week we will begin our Insect Life Cycle science unit and are expecting our caterpillars to arrive! This is always a very exciting science unit!

*** I will be absent on Friday April 28 - May 2 and will return on Wednesday, May 3. Mrs. Campion will be our sub. If you need to communicate anything to us, please write it on the daily note, call the classroom (248 956-4033) or the office (248 956-4000). Much thanks! 

Eric Carle Author Study

This week we began our Eric Carle Author Study. We love reading books written by this author and creating art work in "Eric Carle" style! We read a book about the moon titled "Papa Please Get the Moon for Me" and created our own moon pictures.... 

We read "The Foolish Tortoise" and painted turtles....

We loved "A House for Hermit Crab" and had so much fun creating our crabs...

And we ended our week by reading "Mister Seahorse" and designing these awesome seahorses! Along the way, we added in some quick science learning about all of these animals. We have more Eric Carle books ready for next week....and then in the early part of May we will begin our insect life cycle unit. Our caterpillar larva should arrive during the first week of May!

In our social skills lessons we talked about using calm down strategies to manage strong feelings. We heard and discussed stories about children who were sad, worried or frustrated - we identified the feeling or zone and role played things they could do to feel better/get back in the green zone. Many children were able to share that they need to use their words/get adult help when frustrated or sad. This is important because our students need to be able to tell us when they have a strong feeling so we can help them. In addition, naming a feeling (saying, "I'm sad" or "I'm mad about my work") can help decrease the intensity of the feeling for children. 

Spring....

It was great to have everyone back from their Spring Break! We worked hard to get back into our classroom and school work routines. We enjoyed some stories about rabbits, ducks and chickens this week and created some beautiful spring art. 

One of our classmates has a new baby brother! We wrote about it in our journals. Congratulations to this family and very proud big sister!

Next week we will begin a two week author study about Eric Carle and many of his wonderful, artistic stories. 

** Remember, no school this Friday, April 14.