February Preschool Update

January Highlights
Ice Canos
The Lake Michigan landscape transforms in the winter by creating ice canos. When conditions are just right, these ice sculptures are a great place to explore. All the classes were able to visit the ice canos (with plenty of staff to make sure it was safe). Here's a link to some photos that appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. (These photos are of a different class—I don't see Elsa or any of her classmates.)

Winter Wandering
All the classes went on their first "field trip" by attending the winter wandering program given by the Nature Center's Audubon Teachers. The children watched a puppet show about what animals do to survive in the wintertime. Then, in small groups, they hiked the nature center grounds with one of the Audubon Naturalists to find signs of animals hibernating or staying active.

Bear Cave
Some of the classes created a bear cave and looked for bears on the nature center property. They wanted to find out if bears would live at Audubon. They looked for food that bears would eat and places that they would live. Eventually they found out that bears do not live here, but they had fun learning what animals need to live at Audubon.

Snow
We enjoyed the snow by sledding, observing snowflakes, and shoveling the snow off of Teale Pond. We also looked for animal tracks in the snow.

February Nature Experiences
In addition to Goundhog Day (Feb. 2), the month of February will focus on winter birds, encouraging friendships by sending valentines, and having fun with winter games in honor of the Winter Olympics. All of the classes will have their pajama parties and some of the classes will set up a vet area and/or post office in dramatic play.

Valentine's Day and Post Office
On Valentine's Day, we celebrate love and kindness. Writing letters is a sign of friendship, and in a post office we have to work cooperatively.

Winter Olympics
In honor of the upcoming Winter Olympics, we will be setting up some fun outdoor winter games.

Winter Birds
We will be searching for the birds that stay here in the wintertime (cardinals, chickadees, and goldfinches), as well as those that migrate here from up north (juncos). Birds that stay here need to find food and stay warm by puffing up their feathers, providing a layer of air for insulation.

Vet Area
Each class will set up a veternarian office full of stuffed animals, doctor tools, and x-rays. The month that this is set up will vary by classroom. At least one classroom will set up the area this month and will have a visit from a real veternarian.