May is my favorite month. The days grow longer, excitement and anticipation build for the summer months ahead and a perceptible growth comes over the class. The children begin to express interest in different work, showing signs of a growth spurt. Something that was a struggle all year finally clicks. All of the grace and courtesy lessons take root and are now reinforced by the children to each other. Not only is the classroom full of flowers in bloom, it hums like a happy beehive, and is host to chicks and caterpillars during this special month.

To welcome the eggs from Quiver Farm, we prepared the classroom with chick themed work including a still life of chicks at the easel, yellow homemade play dough, the life cycle of chickens books, and of course the popular chick pin punching work. After an incubation period of about 7-8 days, the eggs hatched (some visibly during the day)! This is an exciting experience for all who get the chance to stand nearby with bated breath. Once hatched the gentle peeping sounds became a pleasant background noise to work to and of course admire up close. The class had a few opportunities to hold the chicks and were so careful and calm with them. After several days out of their shells and getting stronger, the chicks were picked up by the farmer and brought back to the farm.

We were also host to many Grandparents and special friends on a very special day in May. The children were thrilled to have a familiar face visiting their classroom. Some gave a tour, others showed their favorite work, and some were happy to go about their day as usual with the added element of visitors nearby.

We are anxiously awaiting the metamorphoses of the caterpillars into butterflies. As of now they are fattening up and preparing to get into their “J shape” to create the chrysalis. Once the transformation occurs, we will release them on the play deck at 2121. It is a treat to be able to bring the outdoors inside. When we are outside we are soaking up the sun, watering plants, getting creative, and just playing. Back in the classroom, a popular lemonade making work has helped to quench the thirst and ice cream cone pin punching gets everyone in the mood for ice cream. It is the time of year when we’ve got a little more wiggle room for spontaneity, like baking projects.

And let’s not forget the fun of Happy Hair Day!

As we savor these last days of May and welcome the final weeks of school, it’s a little like our lemonade – bittersweet. We’ll send off some friends ceremoniously like we do the butterflies and chicks, and hold on to the memories of being together, rain and shine!

Warmly,
Ms. Anne & Ms. Cara