This week we began exploring the natural sciences of migrating birds and hibernating animals. We discussed with the children that as the weather changes in New York City, it's too cold for some birds here, so they migrate to a warmer place. Bears, and some other animals, hibernate into dens for the winter months.

During our circle time we brought in a globe, and started discussing that the blue symbolizes the ocean and green and brown is the dry land where we live. 

Then we explored the idea that when the sun is closer, is hot/summer, and when is further is gets cold/winter.

As the birds migrate south, they might be hungry on their journey. Here we're making bird feeders to put up in our backyard trees so they can stop for a snack.

We talked about how squirrels get ready for the cold. They hide their acorns in special hiding places. At circle time, we buried some acorns in a bucket of sand and the children took turns finding them.

And for a full "hands on" experience, the children took off their socks and picked acorns with their toes. It turned out to be a fun activity requiring a lot of concentration. 

Free art with shaving cream and paint. 

Chloe putting her artwork to dry.

This week we introduced droppers in the art center.

Here we are squeezing and dropping, a great fine motor skill practice that requires lots of concentration! 

Pre-Math: We introduced patterns of two and three pictures.

The children enjoyed matching (and eating:) the two different seeds and acorn. 

Our science center is now open! We love climbing up the stairs to an exciting world of things to explore.

Here, Sara is discovering how much fun it is to use a magnifying glass! 

JoJo is analyzing a pine cone.

We sorted different color leaves. 

We started our weekly Music and Movement class with Miss Riley of Dance,Laugh,Learn. 

The children love Miss Riley and love the music and dancing!

We went to look for the hibernating bears! Pictures don't do justice to these moments. We marched around our classroom and finally- what a thrill!- we found a fuzzy, bear-like Morah Mushka (dressed in big brown fur coat)! She was hibernating just like a real bear.

We crawled under the dens and hibernated too!  

Here comes Arieh!

Our sensory table this week was filled with sand and acorns, making for a great Fall experience as we hide our acorns and find them just like the squirrels!