On the second day of school, a new 5th grader brought into school a large Chinese praying mantis. These invasive insects have been known to capture and eat hummingbirds. I watched one this summer try to set up camp right on top of a hummingbird feeder at our home. In school, the praying mantis stayed (in a container) for a good part of the day with students observing its movements and its desire to escape. One student even spent part of his recess to catch crickets to feed it. Also (sadly), a student came running to the crosswalk area to announce that he had found a dead blue jay on the playground. It wasn’t a blue jay but one of our prized bluebirds that nests in the boxes that we have set up around campus. However, it is thrilling to see the students, new and old, be excited and curious about nature here and at home!
To add to that curiosity, I brought in some Polyphemus caterpillars. A friend found 200 plus eggs under a tree leaf in front of his house and shared them with friends. Being one of those friends I have raised numerous huge caterpillars this summer with a few more heading to making their cocoons. These caterpillars will turn into beautiful, large silk moths. Last week near the end of one of my Spanish classes with the 3 year olds, I showed them the caterpillars. Their mouths opened and stayed open as they viewed these dinosaur looking creatures. Also, both Teacher Meghan and I have Monarch butterfly caterpillars eating milkweed in our classrooms. Metamorphosis right in front of our eyes. This fall in Outdoor Learning we will be exploring the differences between moths and butterflies and observing how nature gets ready for the darker and colder months ahead.
– T. Peter
Follow and Contact Us