Is Spring Really Near?

We've been having unreal temperatures around here for this time of year. Yesterday it was 61 degrees Farenheit! Can you believe it, 61 degrees in February in Marquette! The sun was shining and the snow was melting like crazy. We had all kinds of "slush puddles" (the snow form or mud puddles) to jump in! Tomorrow it is supposed to be in the mid-to-low 30s with "FLASH FREEZING" It is crazy how our weather changes around here! Many of us have been soaking up as many rays of sun as possible, as winter seems to go on forever around here! Being that we could not all escape to a tropical island, we decided to bring one home. (Well, a small piece of one...) For Valentine's Day, we bought a palm! It has been a wonderful welcomed addition to the area a top our stairs. The bright blue sea color with a wonderful palm puts us on our own little island if even just for a moment! The children are loving it. Of course, they think that we need a few more so that we can have a dinosaur jungle! (Perhaps we will consider this down the road!)

I know for Upper Michigan, it is quite early to begin planting, but we decided to start some seeds inside anyway!

We planted some herbs in egg cartons. We also started some sunflowers and sweet peas (the flowers) in little pots.

We checked out some seeds from peas and beans. Some of our friends remembered which type of seed what which kinds from last year.

We like to start our peas and beans with a paper towel and water in a plastic bag. Each of the children made their own plastic bag "green house"

Some children folded the paper to fit in the bag, others "scrunched" it up!

They all used a spray bottle to water the seeds. Then we hung them up near the window. Here's hoping to an early spring and a great bean teepee this year!

Easter Egg Caterpillars!

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My friend died

I learned a hell of a lot from Dan Hodgins. He was mentor, a friend, and a "bone shaker" for many of us in the field of Early Childhood Education. He was and will always be a champion for children, and protector of childhood. I have so many great memories of time spent with him, it just doesn't seem like we had enough time. Dan died this past Saturday. Interestingly enough, Dan and I talked about death quite a bit. It is one of those topics that isn't talked about all that much in our field, but is super important. All living things eat, all living things poop, and all living things die. Dan and I recorded a podcast for awhile called "Shaking Bones." Dan was always shaking bones, even before I met him. To say I was honored to be asked to be his co-host would be putting it lightly. I loved recording with him. He was never afraid to touch on topics that were a bit edgy, or issues that sometimes weren't talked about much at all. We even t

A Few Ideas With Marker Caps (As Promised)

Yesterday, I hope I convinced you not to throw away your markers that "don't work." Today, I will share with you a few ideas for what to do with all of the caps. The possibilities are nearly endless, but here are a few of our recent creations: 1) A Leprechaun/Fairy Ladder/Rope Ladder: 2) #1 if not permanently secured can also double as a rope bridge: 3) #1/#2 can also be made into a train track for your homemade trains :). (No photo available) 4) You can use them as beads for a necklace: 5) You could make them into a wind chime. (No photo available). 6. You can use them as small manipulatives to count, sort, and make patterns with. (No photo available). 7) You could use them as playing pieces in your own homemade board game. (No photo available). 8) You could put them on a wire and glue them in place to make a twirling whirly-gig. 9) You could top them with a lid from a milk jug to make tiny tables or toadstools. 10) You could make them

Ms. Amy's Blog @Child Central Station

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