Reflections

During the learning process, information and experiences are introduced to the children, which they integrate with what they already know. We don't always know how this will meld together.

This was clear to me the other day when the children were reflecting on what they learned about plants. One child proclaimed "Ants and peonies have an antibiotic relationship, that means the ants eat the sticky stuff off the flower and it tastes good to them, and it helps the flower open."

Trips to the Arboretum and Botanical Gardens

All month the children have been learning about plants. They have had lots of hands-on-experience dissecting flowers, growing seeds, and planting the garden. But one of the most important experiences for the children is to go out and enjoy the natural world around them. What better places to do that than the Arboretum

and the Botanical Gardens?

On Thursday, the

children had an enjoyable but strenuous afternoon at the Arboretum. It started at the Peony Garde

n and ended climbing the hill to the Geddes entrance/exit.

Friday's trip to the Botanical Garden gave the children the opportunity to hike the trails and identify native trees, eat a picnic lunch by the pond, and draw and explore the garden.

It didn't end there,

during a tour of the conservatory

they also learned about plants from

other region

s of the country

and world.

What happened to your hair?

As some of you know, for the past year and a half, I have been growing out my hair to donate to an organization that makes wigs for a cancer patients. With the 80 degree weather, I was glad it was finally long enough. I talked to the children about why I grew my hair and what I was going to do with it.

At SK the children take an active part in giving back to the community through out the year. It is important for the children to know that the adults around them also look for ways to give to others.

ps

Have you noticed the quilt displayed in the hallway. This is one example of the projects the children were involved with this year. Soon the quilt will be donated to the Linus project.

Reflections Night

It was a truly memorable evening. Flowers hung from the balcony, beautiful murals decorated the stage, and amazing music permeated the room. It was a real community event; parents, grandparents, and siblings filled the room. Guest musician (that are also parents) accompanied the singers on piano and guitar. Soloists sang their lines. Drummers beat their rhythms. Vocalist harmonized. The children were all shining stars. All year Jan and the children worked together making music; the evening was a reflection and culmination of all they learned together. Bravo!

Tending the gardens

Taking care of a garden is a lot of work but it can also be very enjoyable.

Last Thursday, we added a few plants to our garden and then started to weed the school's front flower bed. It was amazing how many big weeds there were. It will take more than one afternoon to get rid of them all.

Spring walk

Faye took us on another amazing walk. She told the children to "use their nature eyes" and see if they could find mushrooms/fungi and spring flowers. The children found trillium, jack-n-the-pulpit, wild geraniums, and buttercups.

Faye was impressed when she was going to point out the sepals of a flower and the children identified it first.

She taught us a new word, "cotyledon" which are the "baby" or seed leaves of a plant.

On the walk we also found numerous types of fungi, as well as slugs and caterpillars.

Snack in the garden

Friday afternoon, we took a hike through County Farm Park. We ended our journey at the Perennial Garden where we stopped to have a snack.

While we were there we saw a crew installing a new shade sculpture in the playground. It was amazing to see the butterfly flying in the sky before it landed in its final resting spot.

The highlight for most of the children, however, was finding caterpillars crawling everywhere.

How does our garden grow?

With peas and beans and mini pumpkins all in a row.

Thank you Nick for making us a garden plot to plant.

And the children for helping

to move the dirt.

Now, we just have to weed, water, watch,

and hope we have a successful crop.

Event this weekend

Are you looking for something to do this weekend?

Consider a trip to the U of M's Botanical Gardens. The Ann Arbor Civic Theatre is performing The Secret Garden.

Click here for details

New Novel

I took out two novels from the library that had themes centering around gardens. I read the dust jacket summaries to the children and let them vote on which novel they would like to hear. The vote was unanimous for The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. So, that is the novel we are reading.

To all mothers

We hope you enjoy your mother's day and the presents the children made for you at school.

Starting seeds and transplanting seedlings

Last Thursday, we planted seeds.

When we looked on Monday, the radishes had developed seed leaves

and roots were sprouting from the bean seeds.

On Wednesday, the radishes were getting so lanky, we transplanted them into a planter.

Friday, Nick, David's dad, and his crew, will make raised garden plots for the school. Then we will be able to transplant the rest of seedlings to their permanent home.

More gardening details coming soon...