This past Friday marked our 9th day of school and I am happy to say, we are having an absolute blast. This particular group of students is really loving anything that involves dramatic play and hands-on activities.
On Monday, one of my students brought in two bird nests that she had found and thus began this group’s first set of provocations.
I introduced my students to how they can look closely at the nests and document what they are observing.
They completed some fantastic observational drawings! One child even wrote a sign that said, “NO BIRD POOP!”
Another provocation that was set up was a play dough station so that students could create bird nests. This was also a frequently visited activity this week.
During literacy, I introduced my students to the story, “The Little Red Hen.” They LOVED this book and it was a GREAT way to introduce what characters are! Their favorite part was acting out the story.
{To make the costumes, I used felt and sewed the pieces together. To turn them into “hats” I used knit elastic. Super cheap, easy, and beloved by my kindergarten students! I foresee making many more costumes this year!}
During exploration centers, my students had a blast acting out the story.
On Tuesday, I brought in my farina grain mill (affiliate link) and wrote the question, “Who will help the Little Red Hen?” on the board. All of my students were eager to help her out! They worked together to grind the wheat berries into flour.
Each day we collected more and more flour and by Friday, we had enough to make bread. We carefully measured out the ingredients…
…mixed them together,
…and enjoyed a delicious (well deserved) roll!
We followed this recipe to make the bread!
http://web.archive.org/web/20161001064109if_/https://www.youtube.com/embed/rMm6lf2LLho
1 tablespoon sugar (I used brown sugar)
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of yeast
2 cups of warm water
4 cups of flour
Mix ingredients together in a non-metal bowl (ceramic or plastic) with a wooden spoon (don’t use metal).
Add a loose fitting lid (optional, add oil to dough so it doesn’t dry out).
After it has doubled in size (2-4 hours), shape it into medium-sized balls using your hand that have been oiled with olive oil to keep the dough from sticking.
Bake for 12 minutes at 430 degrees on an oiled pan or in a pan lined with parchment paper.
It was such fun! Next week we will read “The Three Billy Goats Gruff” to explore the number three and continue our inquiry on birds!
