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Today was our first day of camp and we had a great time exploring under the sea! We started off the day reading about sea creatures and imitating how they moved.  Swimming like whales - we also listened to the sounds of humpback whale songs.  Crawling like crabs  Opening and closing like clam shells Then we tried out a science experiment - making our own mini oceans in empty water bottles. First we filled the bottle about 3/4 of the way full with water. Then we added 3-4 drops of blue food coloring. We topped it off with vegetable oil and duct taped the lid shut. The children loved shaking up their bottles and making 'waves' in their oceans. Isn't interesting that the oil and water don't mix?
For our art project, we used water colors to try a process painting idea taken from The Artful Parent. Click here for specific supplies and instructions. We started by making glue designs on paper plates and sprinkling them with salt. Then we used water colors and droppers to drip paint onto the glue. We can't wait to see how they look when they are dry!
We finished up our day with some fun water play in the garden. Join us tomorrow as we explore the forest animals of North America!
 Since 2009, our school has enjoyed visiting Farmer Sue at the Art Barn. The Art Barn at Morning Glory Farms is a delightful place for parents and children alike, and we love Farmer Sue!  We started our visit with a tractor ride. Yee-Haw!
Exploring around the barn yard was fun even for our youngest friends.
It was a beautiful day for creating masterpieces outside!
After that, it was time to meet some of the barnyard animals. The children loved meeting and holding the chicks. It is amazing how gently they held them.
After holding the chicks, we got to brush and pet some friendly donkeys, sheep, and goats. And we learned 'never stand behind an equine.' We also learned about bees, their hives, and how they are important for our environment. Thank you, Farmer Sue and Crew, for a wonderful morning!
 We can't wait for our next visit!  ***Special thanks to Meg Porter of Meg Porter Photography and Meg and Kate Weddings for these lovely photos! Check out more of her work by clicking on the above links***
"The land is where our roots are. The children must be taught to feel and live in harmony with the earth." - Maria Montessori
Ready. Set. GROW! The children's garden is a special place where the children at Cross of Life Christian Montessori School come together to plant, tend and sow the benefits of their hard work throughout the year. The garden allows the children an opportunity to not only sharpen their practical life skills but to explore the worlds of botany and zoology.
Although we work in the garden throughout the year, twice a year we have special 'Garden Days' that allow us to work together as a community to prepare our gardens for a new season. Today, we prepared for summer by weeding, pruning and cutting back shrubs, and planting summer vegetables, herbs, and flowers that attract butterflies.
Gardening introduces the children to some of the living creatures in the soil, under rocks and on plants. Teaching children the names of the plants, vegetable and flowers, especially those that have a smell or taste allows them to make the connection between what they've grown and the food on their plate. It's a great way to teach respect for even the smallest things.
Along with the fun of getting dirty, gardening helps children learn valuable lessons about patience as they wait for vegetables to grow, responsibility as they see how necessary their care is to the garden, and even loss when flowers die at the end of a season. Children are natural nurturers and understand the importance of caring for plants and other things in the garden.
After a morning of work, we are proud of our garden and spruced up courtyard area. Huge thanks to our parent volunteers for spending their time with us this morning, and to everyone who helped by sending in plants. We were blessed with a drenching rain this afternoon, and we can't wait to see our garden grow this summer!  “We have such a brief opportunity to pass on to our children our love for this Earth, and to tell our stories. These are the moments when the world is made whole. In my children's memories, the adventures we've had together in nature will always exist.” ― Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder  ***Special thanks to Meg Porter of Meg Porter Photography and Meg and Kate Weddings for these gorgeous images! Check out more of her work by clicking on the above links*** |
