All about Caterpillars (and butterflies!)

Matías performs as a butterfly character in the drama station outside.

Watching the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly is probably one of the most amazing things ever! What better picture is there as we remember that in Christ, we are a new creation…the old has passed and new things have come!

Online and In-Person Drama Clubs and Summer Arts Program Information

Our study of insects and Seeds program’s study of pollinators merged perfectly this week. The Garden students were able to plant some of the milkweed plants that the Seeds students brought from their outdoor experience last week. They were not only able to hold and observe the caterpillars, they also met and cared for “Nicky”, our first butterfly to emerge. During activity time we placed the butterfly and the caterpillar for them to watch as they painted. They chose the colors they would need: black, orange, yellow, and white. We brought in some butterfly costumes and a puppet and Mr. Jared took them outside for some dramatic play. Finally, the Garden students prepared sugar water “nectar” for a second hummingbird feeder for our garden.

In worship, we told the stories of Jesus’s arrest, death, and resurrection. We also began to learn the hymn “His Mercy is more” and as we sang together, one of the children asked, “What is mercy?” It was a wonderful opportunity to stop and explain the powerful truth that Jesus took our place and our punishment. We reminded them that although we deserve the punishment for our sins, He took what He did not deserve for us. Mercy is not getting what we deserve and we praise the Lord indeed that His mercy is greater than all our sin. Hallelujah!

Caring for the critters

The Garden kids hear the plan for planting the milkweed that the caterpillars need for their food.

CURRENT MEMORY VERSE

“
...he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,”

— 1 Timothy 6:15 (English Standard Version)

The Garden keeps growing!

We needed to add stakes to the bean plants this week.

Anaiah receives her birthday book with her family

This week, we got to honor Anaiah for her birthday and as always, we had a great time together. Our worship time was extra special as both Roi and Emma accompanied the singers on the keyboard, practicing the hymns we will showcase at our closing presentation in June.

Monarch butterflies took center stage this week in Science as we planted the beautiful milkweed plants we purchased at the park last week and observed the caterpillars munch and grow. We even got the opportunity to care for a butterfly that emerged from its chrysalis. “Nicky” the butterfly fell as she emerged and her wings became crumpled as they dried. We learned from this that if butterflies don’t get a chance to dry their wings as they stretch them out when they emerge from the chrysalis, they will be unable to fly. We were still able to care for her this week by feeding her honey water nectar and creating a little habitat for her. The children were able to see and touch Nicky. They were so compassionate with it! We also made a sugar water “nectar” to put in a hummingbird feeder and hung it outside our garden. At the end of the week, we took the time to sketch what we have learned about pollinators and butterflies in our journals. Next week we will focus on fruit.

In History, we had a great time working on our class outside in the playground. We continued watching how state by state the country began to grow larger and larger. This growth came at a great cost however. Many native tribes were forced out of their homes and moved to other places. Some of them perished along the way. We saw this also happening with African tribes as British and Dutch settlers began to expand their claims in South Africa. So while there was gain for some, there was loss for many others. Isn’t it great to know that our God is preparing a place for ALL people who love Him and have placed their trust in Him.