Joy of the earth - Day 3

Today was a really fun day and I think the kids had just as much fun as I did!  

Our focus today was on littering and not being a "litterbug".  We also talked about the difference between things of nature and things that are man-made.  And we spent a little time talking about conserving our resources, like wood and water.  We also practiced the letter D.  Our snack today was "dirt cups".  I assembled their snack at the table with mud on the bottom (chocolate pudding), dirt on top (crushed up oreo cookies) and 2 gummy worms.  This is a really fun age to do a snack like that with.  After I revealed that it wasn't really mud and dirt, Emily said, "Don't freak me out like that!"  ha ha ha!

After snack, each child got a grocery bag and we took a walk to the park, picking up all the litter we could find along the way.  It was a great activity, the litter was plentiful unfortunately and the reward was playing at the park for outside play!  

The idea behind the craft was using something that we would normally throw away into something that is useful!  I hope you all are able to hang your bird feeders up somehow.  I looked out the window and found a bird already eating from Grant's birdfeeder before I even had a chance to hang it up!  Eve told me that we were "recycling" and I was totally blown away at how she knew that!  

Joy Boy paid a visit today, that is such a good way to having the kids verbalize what they are learning as they answer Joy Boys questions about what is going on in Joy School.  And again, story time is always a hit!  When I get discouraged because it's hard to maintain their attention during learning time, I always feel like a good storybook to match the lesson is a homerun in driving the points home!  If you place books on hold for pick up at the library via internet, I found it takes a good week to get everything you've ordered.

And just 2 tips... I found the best seating arrangement for these kids is Kai, Emily, Evie, Grant, Isabel and Joseph.  Also, I am attaching a lesson planning sheet I made up for your use.  I found it really helped to print out 3 copies and then as you are reading through your 6 or so lessons to condense into 3 days, it helps to write down your ideas and what things you want to do, noting the page number.  Hope it helps you, too!    

So, we are set to meet at the Kid's Adventure Garden on Thursday at 10am.  Please remember to wear closed toed shoes for our nature walk.  Strollers are not recommended.  And also, the cost is $5 per person, not including babies.  Afterwards, Cheyenne asked if we could find a nearby park to decorate cookies for Kai's birthday!  Yah!  

 

xoxo

Nicki