Dear Branch Families,
Where do we begin? March proved to be quite a busy month; it was challenging to fit in all the planned learning activities and art, but we did it! We began our ‘Rainbows, Rhymes and Emotions’ study with RAINBOWS! As we started our discussion, we discussed the rainbow, its colors, and its shape. We start every month with a self-portrait, and our Branchers made rainbow borders around their self-portrait this month. This helped to solidify their newfound knowledge that rainbows are not arches but circles. From the ground, we can only see an arch, but from the sky, we would see a circle. We also love seeing their fine motor skills develop as they practice drawing themselves and adding more details, and have their beautiful drawings to brighten up our classroom.
Next, as a whole group, we discussed creating a rainbow. Our Branchers discovered that a rainbow is formed when sunlight shines through raindrops. Simple explanation, but significant result! Our Branchers were so excited to learn just how a rainbow was formed! They even got to try making some of their rainbows in the classroom using the sunlight from the window and a prism. The Branchers learned that sunlight contains all the colors, and prisms or raindrops help separate these colors so that we can see them. As we made our way outside that morning, many friends in the classroom ran outside to search the sky for a beautiful rainbow.
Now it was time to make our rainbow art. Using markers, the Branchers drew their very own rainbow! After their rainbow was complete, they could write (or trace) the rainbow colors as they are spelled out. It was impressive to hear them sound out each letter as they wrote it down.
Primary colors were next on our list of discoveries! We introduced a new book called “Mix It Up!” by Hervé Tullet at circle time. In the book, we learned that there were three primary colors: red, yellow, and blue. The book interactively explained how adding colors together can create secondary colors (such as orange, green, and purple). We also discovered that adding white to colors would make them more pastel, while adding black would make them darker.
After learning about color theory, the Branchers put their knowledge to the test with some art of their own. They mixed primary colors of paint to make their very own color wheels! The color investigation didn’t stop there. Next, the Branchers had questions about what would happen if we mixed secondary colors. Thus, we opened a COLOR LAB! At the color lab, our scientists got to work using pipettes to select dots of colors and try mixing them to see what would appear. Our artists created many shades of beautiful colors, such as chartreuse and periwinkle. Who knew color mixing could be so MAGICAL?!
The science didn’t stop there; the Branchers conducted a traveling rainbow experiment using food coloring, water, and paper towels. Simple supplies with exciting results! After filling three cups with water, we added food coloring to each cup to represent the three primary colors. Next, we folded up paper towels and placed one end of each paper towel in a cup, creating an arch. Lastly, we wait and see! The colors traveled up the paper towel until they met, where the two colors mixed and created secondary colors. Our Branchers love doing science experiments, and the hands-on learning didn’t stop there. Each month, we try to make our own themed playdough. This month, the Branchers helped make rainbow playdough. We first made the primary colors, then we divided the playdough into small balls to mix them. Mixing Play-Doh is always so tempting, and Branchers loved seeing the different shades it made as it marbled together. In the end, we had six beautiful Play-Doh colors and Branchers, who were experts at color mixing!
We concluded the month by discussing emotions. In the Branch room, we are big fans of author and illustrator Diane Alber and her stories A Little Scribble SPOT and The Invisible Scribble. Her series incorporates both feelings and colors. She also has many wonderful songs that the Branchers enjoy singing along to. After reading the story of The Invisible Scribble, the Branchers had a chance to make their invisible scribble. Using a white crayon, they scribble on the paper. We talked about how sometimes we feel like nobody wants to play with us and feel invisible. We then added watercolors to the paper and discussed how the watercolors are like friends. When we work with our friends, everybody feels seen, and we can discover new things!
As you may know, we had a fun visit from a leprechaun before St. Patrick’s Day! As we entered our classroom one day, we discovered that the leprechaun had left us a note. We learned that her name was Kylie, Kylie girl as her friends call her. She was a leprechaun who stood a mere two inches tall. She was so small that we could never find her, but we knew she was there! As we read the note, we discovered that Kylie Girl was searching for her lost gold and needed the Branchers’ help to find it! Good thing our Branchers love a challenge, because after a few more notes, clues, and fun games, they were able to find every missing piece of gold for Kylie! As a sweet “thank you!” Before returning to Ireland, Kylie left each Brancher a piece of candy in their shoe!
As we say goodbye to March and all the fun learning it provided, we are so excited to welcome the month of April and all that it brings! Next up: WEATHER and all its wonders!
Miss Gracen & Miss Heather
