ECDC Miss Becky's Room

Monday, May 2, 2016

The Rainforest ~ April 2016

~ The Rainforest ~

Throughout the month of April we have been learning all about The Rainforest. During circle time we talked about all the different animals that live in the rainforest (e.g., snakes, parrots, alligators, jaguars, sloths, monkeys, etc.) and special characteristics of each animal (e.g., scales, feathers, slimy skin, sticky feet, etc.). We also talked about how each of these animals have different habitats (some live in trees, on or in the ground and in the swamp/river).

Our two stories this month were The Umbrella by Jan Brett and Over in the Jungle A Rainforest Rhyme by Marianne Berkes.

We also learned a few new Rainforest songs, "Do You Know the Jungle Animals?", "The Rainforest" and "Green Anaconda" (See attached videos).

There are different components/layers that make up a rainforest as well as all the various animals that live in each of the layers.

Layers of the Rainforest

Forest Floor Layer (covered with leaf litter, where fungi and insects thrive)

Understory Layer (darker environment made up of smaller trees over the ground)

Canopy Layer (filled with an incredible number of animals because of its thick leafy environment)

Emergent Layer (where tops of trees rise above the canopy as high as 200 feet)

Take a peek into our classroom this month!

~Working on our Rainforest Mural~

Stamping - Insects of the Rainforest

Snakes - Green Anacondas

Sorting animals into the 4 layers of the Rainforest

Painting with parrot feathers

Manipulatives - Monkey Gears

Pattern Blocks - Rainforest Animals

Unifix Cubes - Counting and Making Patterns

Having fun with our BEST BUDDIES!!

Writing - Rainforest Animal Drawings

Art - Painting Blue Morpho Butterflies

THANK YOU

to all our families and friends who attended our "Rainforest"

Curriculum Night.

It was a huge success!!

Miss Becky, Miss Laurie and Miss Shawna

Monday, April 4, 2016

All Around the Town ~ Franklin

Throughout the month of March our unit focused on “Our Community” ~ The Town of Franklin and Community Helpers! The children we very excited to learn that we ALL live in Franklin (even the teachers)!

During circle time we talked about all the different places around town (i.e., parks, playgrounds, schools, restaurants, etc.). We also shared some of our favorite activities to do in our community (i.e., visiting the library, mailing letters at the post office, swimming at the pond, hiking in Franklin forest, playing at the YMCA, and eating ice cream at the ice cream shop).

We learned about the different people who live and work in our community. The children were very excited to share personal stories about their “community helper” family members (e.g., “My mommy is a lawyer”, “My mommy is a mommy”, “My daddy is a builder”, “My mommy is a nurse”, and “My daddy is a teacher”).

We learned 2 new songs this month, “Hurry, Hurry, Drive the Firetruck” and “We All Go Traveling By" (see links below for songs and lyrics).

~Home School Connection~

“Where in the Community am I?”

This guessing game is a fun way to help your child discover the kinds of businesses that make up your community. Begin by choosing a place that your child is familiar with (i.e. grocery store, fire station). Tell him/her, “I’m visiting a place in our town. Can you guess where I am?” Give clues/hints about each of the locations (i.e. This place is where we go to buy fruits and vegetables. We can push a shopping cart.) Once your child figures out the location you are describing, have them take a turn!!