An Enchanted Childhood~ Daycare: April 4th-8th

Sometimes I am organized and have a "lesson plan" ready to go.  Other weeks, I wait for inspiration to show up!  And it always does!  This week, during our free play/Shelf Time, our littlest daycare girl spied a butterfly out the window--the 1st one we had seen this spring.  And we were off!  I tried to catch it, but it elluded me, so I made it the lesson for the week!!

Monday and Tuesday we read From Caterpillar to Butterfly.  We acted out the fours stages: tiny little egg, crawling caterpillar, cocoon/chrysalis hanging from a branch or leaf and then opening up to a butterfly!  We then headed to the table to paint some butterflies!  (Notice our newest little "preschooler": Little Miss One Year Old Bunny!! Suddenly she thinks she needs to paint, snack, take part in every activity that the older kids do!)

Thursday and Friday, we read The Very Hungry Caterpillar, an old favorite! 

Then we set to work making caterpillars.  We used "bingo markers" to make some and foam circles to make others.

Friday, we worked a new puzzle, given to us by Mimi :)  It fit our study perfectly--Insect Lore: Giant Life Cycle Floor Puzzle-Butterfly. 

We then headed to the table to make a hand and fingerprint butterfly life cycle chart.  Fingertip "egg", fingertips "caterpillar". full finger "cocoon", and two handed (painted one side and smashed hands together) "butterfly"!