Smart Start Week 26

The week dedicated to the letter M began with St. Patrick's Day and welcomed the arrival of spring! As a result, St. Patrick's Day and rainbows were included in our letter M themed invitations for our friends this week. We were fortunate to have sunshine on Wednesday morning, which enabled us to play, dance, and sing to kick off our day! It was definitely a wonderful glimpse of what will see in spring!

As the music played, we discovered that the appreciation for 80’s and 90’s music spans generations, as two of our friends demonstrated dance moves popularized by *NSYNC and Michael Jackson. One friend was even spotted teaching these iconic moves to another. It’s impossible not to feel the rhythm, and watching them share their passion for hip hop dance filled our hearts with joy!

Friends designed backgrounds for their spring trees process art, a project that will continue into next week. They also used rainbow colors and salad spinners to create unique spin art! Their faces lit up when the top of the spinner was removed, revealing their artwork. Additionally, we made caterpillars using clothespins and pompoms, connecting it to activities in the Wiggle Room and topics covered in Science. Friends collaborated to feed various foods to The Very Hungry Caterpillar in the sensory tray. Some took dinosaur cars on a journey around town, while others dug in rice to discover silver and gold coins in a St. Patrick’s Day themed bin.

During our building and engineering activities, friends utilized Magnatiles, magnetic cubes, and magnetic cylinders and spheres to construct a variety of creations, ranging from an intricate maze to a kingdom featuring pointed towers and a drawbridge. Many also explored the farmer's market, selecting from fruits, vegetables, and crafts crafted by local artisans. Additionally, we engaged in memory games and assembled Mickey and Minnie Mouse puzzles.

In Science, we explored what occurs when mini marshmallows are dipped in melted milk chocolate, white chocolate, and green candy melts. After allowing the coatings to harden, we discussed how some materials can revert to their original state after being heated, while others cannot. We then conducted a taste test to determine any differences, and unsurprisingly, our friends enjoyed all three types of coated mini marshmallows. We also discussed mold and made predictions about factors that might accelerate its growth. We rubbed two types of bread on surfaces selected by our friends and distributed them throughout Smart Start. Over the next few days, we'll monitor the mold growth and document our observations. Lastly, in celebration of Very Hungry Caterpillar Day, we created and discussed caterpillars. The conversation centered on metamorphosis and the butterfly life cycle. We are observing caterpillars in our classroom as they eat and grow larger. Just like in our story, once they reach a certain size, they will form a chrysalis and rest until they are ready to emerge as butterflies.

Wiggle Room provided a chance to review music notes and practice with our handbells. Friends concentrated, practiced breathing techniques, engaged in yoga, and gained a deeper understanding of mindfulness. Lastly, they navigated an obstacle course designed to reflect the stages of a butterfly's life cycle.

Letter M week was full of music, movement, but most of all it was full of learning and friendship!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Ms. Leah, Ms. Jacquita, and the Smart Start team