Experimental Monday

We had a lot of changes in our classroom over the weekend. We added a lot of new things such as a new duties chart, class room schedule, assigned seating chart for lunches, hand washing station upgrade, plus a whole lot more. 
Once we came in from our drop off time, we used our snack time to catch up with everyone from the weekend. It sounded like everyone had a great time on family trips and cave explorations which come to find out wasn't over THIS past weekend but, made for an entertaining story none the less. With the conclusion of snack we headed over to our circle time, which we spent most of taking about the new changes and responsibilities we have incorporated into the class room. We have added a duty chart to keep track of different responsibilities our sproutlets have throughout the day. A few of the duties are watering our classroom plants, filling up our Brita filter, light monitor, and line leader. 
Monday means it is show and tell, so following circle time our friends retrieved their precious items from their cubbies and reconvened at our big carpet. It is difficult to follow at times, but the rule for show and tell is to have it behind your back while you wait for your turn, and the older kids do not hesitate to let us know if someone is playing with their show and tell instead of listening. It's fun to watch when one of our friends forgets their show and tell and finds something around Greensprout to talk about. The response we usually get when we ask where they got their Greensprout toy is 'mommy gave this to me' or ' I've had this for a really long time'. 
Once show and tells were stowed we did a quick experiment before heading outside. The set up is a bowl of milk with food colouring dropped into the middle. Them the exciting part is taking a Q-tip dipped in dish washing soap and touching the middle of the bowl. The soap quickly reacts with the polar fats and proteins and makes a fantastic show of rippling colours. The importance of planning is critical in any scientific endeavor, nick did not test this experiment out first and  come to find out, the organic soap we use does not make for an exciting show. 
After the scientific flop (which the kids seemed to enjoy anywy) we headed outside for a little free play. 
After lunch and nap we were determined to demonstrate a successful experiment. Liz found a mentos/soda kit laying around that we took out to the deck and let willing volunteers participate in, while everyone else watch from a more than safe distance. Learning from nicks previous fiasco he actually tested the soda before setting up. He was glad he did because all 5 bottles which were purchased that day were indeed flat. After a quick delivery of fresh soda it was back on. Lizzie demonstrated it the first time to show everyone what happens, then we asked for volunteers. Colette was the first one to step up and pull the string which dropped the mentos into the soda causing a reaction with the carbonation and sending soda flying into the air. 
With a successful experiment under our belts for the day, we headed back inside to finish our story we started before nap time. Happy to hear the end of Miss Spiders Wedding we broke up into independent activity which includes anything on our shelves. Our giant solar system puzzle is very popular as is our collection of magenets and balls. With a few minutes to go, we announce  clean up time. Some are reluctant to stop with the hopes to finish the masterpiece of the day, but with a little redirection we are on track to get outside on time.