May 13th, 2021

5/13/2021

Observations of Living Things

Today began with a rousing dialogue about what makes something alive. Stemming from a joke about whether or not our fish, Mr. Grumps, has feet and needs shoes, our dialogue continued into a conversation about the differences between humans and fish. We then brought in a book “What’s Alive” to help answer some of our questions. We identified things in the classroom, the school and our lives that fit the needing water, food and growth criteria. Then we took the opportunity to use clay to model some living and nonliving things. Because Mr. Grumps was on the brain, many children opted to create fish or ocean creatures, but there were still a couple moons, pizzas and self portraits that made it onto the glazing tray!

Elena: What might you use feet for?
Elle: Running
Marley and CC: Walking
Lochie: No, no, no for swimming!
Elena: Does Mr. Grumps use feet for swimming?
CC: Yes!
Lochie: No, no a fin!
CC: A fin, on his back!
Lochie: I can see from above he doesn’t have any feet on his head, but he had fins on his back!
CC: Did you know he’s actually swimming fast but watching him it looks slow.

CC: I’m making a fish, actually it's an ocean. It’s Mr. Grumps!
Violet: Look what I made. I made a castle , I made the fish’s eyes. How can I make the tail?
Elle: I made the moon and a heart for Jack
Lochie: I’m making Mr. Grump’s fish friend. My fish has the same grumpy smile as Mr. Grumps!
Jack: I’m making a star fish and a squid.
Lochie: I’m making a pizza for Mr. Grumps.
George: I made a car and a wrecking ball.
Marley: Look, I made my face!