Spring has sprung!

A quote for today:


So spring is in the air.  This year we've even had a spring.  It seems some years we go from cold to hot in just a few days.


So teacher friends what are you up to this week?  It is that time where some of you are packing to move to a new school, some of you are thinking of your family and what summer holds, and all of you are thinking about packing for the end of school.  I believe that  the challenge, at this time in the year, is to keep learning flowing, but also be ready on that last day of clean up to pass all checks on the check out sheet and to turn in your keys.  Not all of you are on the same time schedule, but you all have a schedule.

So many years ago I decided it made sense to find a few things to engage the kiddos around that also created a need for space that allowed us to put away some of our less used items a little at a time.  Planting is one of  my favorites things and the children loved it too.

Think about what you can plant and how you will plant.  I often offered different types of planting and we planted different items and different ways.
I can't find a picture of a large under the bed storage tub, but I'd use that on top of a storage piece of furniture.  The outdoors turtle planter is kind of the same idea.  It is a larger group planting space.  The carrots pictured are a growing experience without seeds.

Think of what you'll plant.  Think of the materials you will plant in and plant with.  Ex:  Baggies, clear cups, seeds, small seedlings, dirt, cotton balls, paper towels....maybe all of the above.
Next, think of your children and how you will notice and keep data on what you see.  Will you use a big chart that has paper you fold over the top?  Will each child have a science journal to draw/write what they see?  Will you put pictures on your website?  There are so many options.

Now I'm sure some of you have planted already this year.  What can you add to what you've done with the children before?  What books will you read?  Can you do art with seeds?  Don't plan a craft....set out some glue and seeds in the art area and see what happens.  Maybe read The Carrot Seed first.  With the seeds, it is a good idea to have an adult in the area for those who might eat seeds or put them in their noses. 

I love to see those faces the day the seeds begin to sprout.  That joy never gets old.  I hope this blog entry brings some joyful thoughts to you.  I hope that if planting isn't your thing that it will sprout in you another engaging end of the year adventure.

Enjoy your last weeks of school.   Make each day count.  Plan for adventure and clean up and packing at the same time.  You can do it.  Spring has sprung.

Wishing you well,
Teacher Debbie