Ocean layers, animals, and critters!

 This week our Pre K classes are exploring OCEAN LIFE! They have discussed the many ocean layers, the different types of animals in the ocean, as well as other sea creatures and critters. Here's some quick facts they've learned:

• One cubic foot of ocean water contains over 2 pounds of salt. The Red Sea and the Persian Gulf have the saltiest water.
• The oceans become salty because water picks up small amounts of dissolved salt minerals as it flows through rivers and streams. When this water enters the ocean, it slowly makes the ocean saltier.
• Winds cause the waves on the ocean’s surface. The tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the moon.
• The water spins clockwise in northern oceans; it spins counterclockwise in southern oceans.
• In the Atlantic Ocean is a huge mountain range. It is longer than the Rockies, Himalaya and Andes mountains combined.

They enjoyed making their own "ocean in a bottle" to represent the different ocean layers!

Making ocean layers

Shaking up her ocean

Earth Day!

This past Sunday April 22nd was Earth Day! Our friends in Preschool 4 made some pretty neat predictions about what Earth Day looks like to them! Take a look below!

Earth Day looks like rivers to Kinsly!

Earth Day looks like trees to Kai!

Earth Day looks like flowers to Christina!

Earth Day looks like fish to David!

Earth Day looks like ocean waves to Nancy!

Earth Day looks like mountains to Nick!

Emme thinks Earth Day looks like people!

Kids Take Over Ms. Teka's Kitchen and EARTH DAY PICNICS!

To wrap up our Week of the Young Child, Ms. Teka invited all of the kiddos out the enrichment to "help" out with lunch. Each child was able to decorate a lunch sack and pack his/her own lunch. While packing up their lunches, Ms. Teka explained the nutritional value in each lunch component. After lunches were packed, each class was able to go outside and have an early Earth Day picnic. One friend claimed that it was "the best lunch ever!" We are so happy to be able to put such big smiles on little faces!

Kindergarten Boot Camp!

It’s coming back!  Our top voted annual program, KINDERGARTEN BOOT CAMP, is back and better than ever!  This may sound like basic training, but for those of you who saw our cadets last year, you know it’s anything but!  Williamson Country schools are continuously voted top in the nation for elementary education and we must give our children a solid foundation for their entry into the exciting world of kindergarten.

Kindergarten Boot Camp is an eight-week dedicated summer program that teaches important, yet often overlooked, skills needed to navigate Kindergarten with confidence.  Skills such as opening a milk carton, carrying a lunch tray or returning library books are only a few examples of how we “train” your child to “be all they can be”!  The BEST part for you?  There is NO ADDITIONAL cost! 

This year Boot Camp will  run start June 4th and end with Pre K Graduation on July 20th. 

Be on the lookout for more information! 

Finally SPRING!

We are so thrilled to have the sun shinning and the birds chirping! Our friends are so happy to be able to go outside and not wear a jacket! We hope this weather is here to stay!

Lucky Ladd's Petting Zoo!

In addition to discussing insects, bugs, and critters with our Frogstreet curriculum, our Pre K classses are exploring animals! They invited the entire school out to visit with Lucky Ladd's Petting Zoo. Even the babies were able to enjoy! Don't worry we washed our hands extra squeaky clean after! Take a look below.

Bugs, Bugs, Bugs!

Exploring the natural world through hands-on science is an important way that children learn. Hands-on science activities encourage children to observe and manipulate items from the environment, while making predictions about what will happen and then testing those predictions. Science allows children to explore, experiment, question, discover, and understand natural and human-made objects and forces. Experiments and activities with science and nature also stimulate children's curiosity, encourage use of all five senses, and help to build vocabulary.

This month's science discovery for our toddlers and preschoolers is BUGS!

Take a look at some of the things they've been busy doing and creating.

So excited to make her bug fingerprint art!

Making a leaf to put his Very Hungry Caterpillar on.

Playing with bugs!

Playing with bugs, a magnifying glass, and tweezers!

The Ants Go Marching art!

Made a ladybug from bristle blocks!

So proud of his bristle block ladybug!