The Pre-K children also made Mother's Day gifts under the theme, “I Love You to the Moon and Back.” In April, Mrs. Peterson had purchased a butterfly kit. Each week the children observed and drew the different stages of the Monarch butterfly. They were able to recognize and identify the stages as: eggs, small larvae (caterpillars), large caterpillars, chrysalis and lastly a butterfly that pumps its wings to emerge into a beautiful Monarch. They learned that the word "metamorphosis" means to change. On May 11th, the class released the twelve Monarch butterflies into the world!
At the same time, the Pre-K room became a flower shop! In dramatic play, children took orders and used simple addition to make calculations. They got hands on by arranging flowers into beautiful bouquets. In the math center, students picked a number card and then placed that number of flowers into a flower pot. At the fine motor table, children used tweezers to pick up various seeds and place them into the appropriate packet to which they belong. We ended our ‘flower month’ by making a flower and labeling the roots, stem, leaf, petals and seeds. Lastly, the children planted real wild flowers!