Sprouts: Sept 29-Oct 1 (Core)

Continuing with our tree inquiry, we explored the changing leaves this week. Students learned that leaves don’t change colour: they have all of their colours inside of them and lose chlorophyll when the shorter days of autumn arrive. To see what colours were in our leaves, we experimented with rubbing alcohol and a coffee filter. Over time, the paper absorbed the liquid revealing the colours that were in the leaves. Throughout this process the class learned about parts of the scientific process, made a hypothesis, and recorded their observations. 

We also discussed the life cycle of a leaf and its parts. After completing some leaf rubbings, some students labelled their leaf parts as well. Today we sorted leaves by colour and each student individually graphed the data they collected. They each totalled their columns and labelled the most and least. 

On our Tuesday Trek we made our way down to a favourite creek spot of ours. On the way, the Sprouts engaged in a “signs of fall” scavenger hunt, marking whether the sign I called out was happening now or would happen later in fall. This allowed students to identify the first changes we see and those that begin to happen when the weather cools down. 

Today we completed the re-do of our feelings chart. This chart hangs in our Zen Magic area, reminding us that “all of our feelings are ok”. At TSOP, we don’t label any feelings as “bad”. All are necessary and we hold space for that. Feelings are instead classified as low to high vibrational. When students feel a low vibe feeling, they are taught to use their tools to higher their vibration. Above our feelings chart are suggestions of activities to try to move energy and change one’s vibe (such as dancing, singing, drawing, yoga). Sometimes we need to sit in our low vibe feeling and stay “in the mud puddle”. The choice is ours and we all get to honour our bodies. We ended our day with Freeze Dance to send the vibes high! 

On Music Monday the Sprouts wanted to make their own song! We also had a group glue gun lesson and introduced little glue gun 'helpers' so that fingers aren't pushing on hot glue spots. They did just that and it will be added to their song books. Some other snippets of learning are below as well. 

We saw a mole in the backyard this week! It popped its cute little nose out from under the building and eventually scurried out along the wall to find a safer spot to hide. We checked out our animal book to learn a bit more about moles and how they survive underground.