Three cheers: Spring is here! The warmer weather has brought extraordinary change, and the Detectives have been busy taking it all in! From teeny insects to large swaths of flowers in the meadow, signs of the season have been found all around Woodend.

 

The Detectives returned from Spring Break ready to roll logs and find out what might be hiding underneath. We uncovered mud, new sprouts, and an abundance of crawly creatures! Each one lead to a new investigation, with Detectives making observations about the size, color, texture, number of legs, and more. We noticed that some had a few legs, some had no legs, and some even had too many legs to count! To celebrate the discovery of these crawly friends, the Detectives learned a song to help differentiate bugs from insects. To the tune of “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes,” we imagined transforming into insects as we pointed out our head, thorax, abdomen, and six legs!

 

The discovery of these bugs and insects also jumpstarted an inquiry into why we should care for bugs. “Bugs are scary,” exclaimed one child, “and I don’t like them!” This led to a wonderful reflection into our own feelings about bugs. Why are they useful? Do they help us? We set out to find the answer!

The Detectives discussed the importance of bugs as pollinators, and took a visit to our bug hotel, hoping to get a look at some bees. We discussed how the bees move pollen from flower to flower, and even practiced this movement at our pond rug and on our playground.

Another day of log rolling brought us a family of bess beetles. As the Detectives gently held a beetle, they took note of its hard exoskeleton and the way its tiny feet tickled their hands. They also noticed holes dug into logs by the beetles, providing us with an opportunity to discuss the beetle’s role as a decomposer.

A visit to the compost station gave us an opportunity to talk about our decomposing food, and the worms’ role in helping to break down the food and make new soil. Thanks, worms!

After finding so many bugs and insects underneath logs, we were excited to continue our search at a different habitat: the pond! Equipped with nets, rain pants, and mud-stomping boots, the Detectives set out on a search for dragonfly larva and other aquatic creatures.

We practiced scooping and sifting as we closely searched the muddy water for signs of Spring. Of course, no ponding day would be complete without a little sticky mud action. We saw gross motor skills and teamwork out in full force as children worked to unstick themselves and others from the muck, as well as construct a bridge across the mud. Calls out “Log coming through!” rang out as groups of children navigated through the forest carrying long branches for building materials. The adventure ended with everyone caked in mud, and full of amazing memories!

Our bug and insect investigation was rounded out by a visit from a bug expert: Kay The Bug Lady! This in-house field trip brought even more bug excitement into the classroom, as children held creatures small and large, familiar and exotic! Empty cicada shells, giant millipedes, and even hissing cockroaches were passed around the rug; while some chose to hold these bugs and others chose to observe with their eyes, all of the children seemed in awe of these amazing bugs! What a wonderful way to end the week!

Books We Read

From flower to Honey by Robin Nelson
Hank’s Big Day by Evan Kuhlman
I Love Bugs! By Philemon Struges
Good Morning Pond by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
Bob and Otto by Robert O. Bruel

Weekly Top Hits

Dragonfly Life Cycle

Dragonflies have life cycles, yes they do!

Dragonflies have life cycles yes the do!

They lay eggs in the pond

Then they fly out later on

Dragonflies have life cycles, yes they do!

 

Head, Thorax, Abdomen

Head, thorax, abdomen, abdomen

Head, thorax, abdomen, abdomen

Two antenna and six legs

Head, thorax, abdomen, abdomen!

 

Spring is Here

I see robins, I see bird nests

Butterflies, flowers too

Everything is growing

The wind is gently blowing

Spring is here

Give a cheer…..HOORAY!

 

Never Ever Squash a Bug

Never ever squash a bug

They’re Mother Nature’s friend

Put them in a plastic jar

And let them go again!

 

Spoiler Alert: Next week, we will be planting seeds!