9/3/2015 - End of Ocean/Summer theme

Today was great! We continued our exploration of W by talking about Watermelons!  In circle time we read a fabulous book called The Watermelon Seed.  It is really cute and children loved it.  We looked at a real watermelon and discussed it's size, shape, texture, weight, etc.

 We cut it open (well, I cut it open) and looked at the contents inside, I had meant for the children to just explore the contents with their fingers but they decided it was much more appropriate to eat it instead.  :)

 Turns out watermelon is delicious!

 Then we made a science experiment.  A watermelon volcano!  I meant to get a great video of the first time it exploded but I didn't push the record button so I only got a video of the end. Oh well. :(

This is after we had made it explode many times so it had lost most of it's um-pa-pa but you get the idea.

 We went up for centers.

 Today was the end of our Ocean/Summer theme so these centers and sensory items will be cleaned and packed away for next year.  I think the children really enjoyed this theme.

 This picture makes me so happy!  I spent hours agonizing about how the room should be set up to maximize it's potential and make a good learning space for the children.  It seriously makes me giddy to see how well it works for them.  It really is a peaceful space.  I play classical/lullaby music while they do their centers.  The music, combined with the sound of the running water of the fishtank really brings a sense of peace and tranquility to what otherwise could be chaos.  ;)

 We made quite a mess in the kitchen with the watermelon so we decided to have snack time in the classroom today.  Thanks Kinsley!

 We had a fun craft today.  We made Watermelon W's.

Goodbye Ocean/Summer unit.  See you next year.  We are ready to work on something new!