This week was bursting with creativity, celebration, and hands-on exploration.

One of the highlights of the week was Art Exploration Day in Mrs. Reid’s classroom. She created a beautiful environment that sparked curiosity and encouraged creative exploration. The children were given the freedom to choose from a variety of unique art experiences, each offering a different way to express themselves:

•  The “Art Cave”: A cozy space beneath a table where large sheets of paper were taped underneath, inviting children to lie down and draw above them. The children were fascinated by this new way of creating!
•  Rolling Art with Marker Cars: In this station, toy cars had markers attached to them, allowing children to race across large sheets of paper, leaving colorful trails behind. This playful technique introduced the concept of movement in art, turning motion into markings. It was a big hit and invited a lot of collaboration and giggles.
• Textured Easel Painting: Children explored different textures while painting on a wall constructed from recycled materials. They used brushes and even their hands to experiment with how paint behaves on different surfaces. It was a wonderful way to blend art with sensory exploration and environmental awareness.
• Clay Exploration: With a variety of fun tools, the children dove into working with clay. They discovered how to transform a simple lump into something entirely new. Clay work offers so many developmental benefits, from strengthening fine motor skills to encouraging focus and imagination.

We truly appreciated Mrs. Reid’s creativity in bringing this inspiring day to life!

The children also worked together on a very special class project—a collaborative piece that will be part of our Field Day dedication next Monday. Though we were so engaged that we forgot to take pictures, the children worked with such joy and focus. This meaningful piece will be placed inside a time capsule to be opened years from now as a reminder of this special time in their early childhood.

In addition to our artistic adventures, we had the joy of celebrating the second birthday of the youngest member of our class! Our little friend was beaming with pride as he walked around the sun, and we all enjoyed singing and sharing a delicious treat together.

For food tasting this week, we tried dragon fruit—and it was a total hit! The children were intrigued by its bright yellow and spiky exterior and speckled inside, and many came back for second (and third!) tastes.

Lastly, our butterfly habitat continues to be a source of excitement and wonder. The children are carefully observing the chrysalises each day, waiting patiently for our butterflies to emerge. We can’t wait to witness their transformation and celebrate the beauty of nature right here in our classroom.

As we soak in these final days of the school year, it’s been heartwarming to see the children so engaged, joyful, and connected. Each moment reflects just how much they’ve grown and how special our time together has been. Thank you for being part of this journey with us!

Warmly,

Mrs. Hood and Ms. Patty

Another couple of days have flown by, and I can hardly believe how quickly time is passing! Our days have been filled with discovery, joy, and the quiet wonder that comes from witnessing nature’s miracles unfold right before our eyes.

Recently, we welcomed some very special visitors into our classroom—tiny, just-hatched caterpillars that arrived safely and nestled into their new home. From the moment they arrived, the children were captivated. Eyes widened, voices hushed in curiosity, and tiny fingers pointed excitedly as they took in the delicate movements of our new friends. It was a moment of pure awe.

Since then, our learning environment has been beautifully transformed. With model objects, matching cards, artwork, books, and real-time observation, the children have been immersed in the enchanting life cycle of the butterfly. We’ve explored new vocabulary: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, and butterfly. These words have echoed sweetly in our classroom each day, growing ever more familiar with every story, lesson, and conversation.

A highlight of our butterfly exploration has been reading one of our favorite books, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. The children love watching the caterpillar munch his way through the pages, and the familiar rhythm of the story has added warmth and joy to our daily routine. It has also helped reinforce the stages of metamorphosis in a fun and engaging way.

One of the most magical moments came when the children noticed the caterpillars curling into graceful “J” shapes—nature’s quiet signal that change was near. Not long after, we watched in amazement as the caterpillars formed their delicate chrysalises, each one a tiny, golden-speckled promise of what’s to come. The energy in the room shifted as we collectively held our breath in wonder.

Now, we wait. With careful eyes and hopeful hearts, we watch and listen, eager for the moment when our butterflies emerge and the final stage of metamorphosis is complete. What a joy it is to witness not just the transformation of these beautiful creatures but also the growth and blossoming of the children themselves. In many ways, they mirror the butterflies—growing, changing, unfolding in their own unique rhythms.

To add to the magic, the children have also been learning a special butterfly dance! With twirls, flutters, and giggles, they’ve brought the beauty of metamorphosis to life through movement and song. I will share a video at the end of this note so you can enjoy a glimpse of their joyful dancing.

In addition to our butterfly exploration, we’ve continued to delight in new experiences around the classroom. For food tasting lessons, we explored fresh cherries and peaches. There’s something extra special about watching toddlers experience new flavors—their expressions say it all!

We also celebrated the birthday of one of our oldest friends in the classroom, marking another beautiful milestone and reminding us of the joy that comes with growing together in this space we share.

As we continue this journey, I’m grateful each day for the moments of wonder, discovery, and connection we share.

With warmth and wonder,
Mrs. Hood