Fantastic Flight

We had lots of fun today learning about a truly amazing adaptation: flight. We started with an outside game of spiders and flies, and then came inside for morning circle. Our greeting was a challenging one: we tossed one, two then three bean bags to friends across the circle, saying good morning.  Kids had to pay attention because as soon as they tossed one, they had to catch another! It was silly but fun.

 Kids shared some interesting home projects about camouflage. They remembered our password from last time, warning coloration, and another type: disruptive coloration.

 

Our stretch was a raptor stretch: we “flew” around the room, pretending to be different kinds of hawks in flight.

Our morning activity was all about designing a flying contraption using only paper. Some kids made paper airplanes. Others cut out bird shapes. Then we took them outside for a test flight, checking them for how aerodynamic they were.

We spent lots of time playing at one of our favorite spots, behind Frog Pond. We bounced on the trampoline tree, collected black walnuts and climbed the ladder tree.

 

Then we headed through the woods to the hibernaculum. Sure enough, the garter snakes were out sunning themselves, and just about everyone who wanted to got a turn holding them. After saying goodbye to the snakes we went to the pond to see what we could see. Lots of robins looking for worms, insects swimming, and even a dead fish!

 

After lunch kids worked hard on their journals, thinking about how the adaptation of flight could help humans make the world a better place. We discussed feathers and how well adapted they are for bird flight. Then we projected the live red tail cam that Cornell University has up on its campus. You can check it out at home here. We got a good look at the mom and dad red-tail hawks and their three eggs! They are expected to hatch in a month or so, so we will be sure to keep tabs on it. 

 Last we read Gertrude McFuzz, a story about a bird who wants to get more feathers so she can look pretty. But then she gets greedy and grows so many feathers that she can’t fly anymore! 

Next week we're heading to UMASS for a reptile and amphibian field trip! We'll be taking the PVTA bus so please keep lunches extra portable (Diana and I will be carrying them) and send sturdy shoes for lots of walking.