The last two weeks, we've learned all about insects.
Launching our new unit didn't take place in class, however. We met at the insect house during our zoo field trip to get excited. Excited about bugs.
I'd like to just take a moment to point out the fact that my getting "excited about bugs" is an outward testament to how devoted to your children I am.
We met Zookeeper Liz who showed us some bugs that were so cute(ish), they could almost pass as pets.
And then we saw some super gross ones, too.
The kind that are so super gross that even the printed photo the next day in class makes you cringe.
The photos helped us decorate our science center, which we temporarily turned in to a mini entomology lab.
We also had fun with some plastic bugs...
bug manipulatives...
and bug books.
We watched bug movies...
and we played bug math games.
Then, we spent some time examining each of our class bugs up close and personal.
We started with caterpillars.
We learned about their life cycle...
and we read La oruga muy hambrienta (The Very Hungry Caterpillar).
Then, we got to see ladybugs...
crickets...
and our ants.
Once we established what our favorite insect was, we started to research for our reports with the driving question, "How can we share information about our favorite insect like Zookeeper Liz?" on our mind.
With this goal, we began to read books...
and we researched online.
We also practiced speaking about our insects with our friends from Pioneer...
and we crawled like bugs with them.
We worked hard all week reflecting on facts we've learned, observing each insect's life cycle, and dictating what we like about our favorite insect.
Then, on Friday we read our research reports aloud with one another.
We were awesome!
But, of course, we're always awesome.
