Monday, August 21, 2006 - Our Adventure With Make Way For Ducklings
This week we're off to Boston (only in theory..). The unit study this week is based on the book Make Way For Ducklings by Robert McCloskey. I'm trying to tie unit studies together, in some small way, with their science themes. So, while we've moved on to Boston geographically, we're still learning about ducks.
We were tickled pink to find pictures on-line of Boston, and more importantly of the Boston Common Gardens where the book takes place! Of course the book is fictional, but the places aren't. In fact, there's actually statues of Mrs. Mallard and all of her ducklings in line behind her in the garden! We were able to see and print out pictures of this as well. The boys were delighted!
Jayden was very pleased to read this story all week, he just loves being able to count the little ducklings out. Morgan loves the fact that all the ducklings names rhyme and has done a fantastic job of remembering their names as well. I have to add that his favorite duckling, by far, is Quack. While Quack has no greater role in this book then any other duckling, I think it's the name alone that fascinates him.
Morgan was excited to make a map of the route that Mrs. Mallard and her ducklings took from their nesting ground to the Boston Common Garden. He was equally excited to draw his own map. He's been fascinated with maps for longer then I can remember, I think it ties in with his passion for pirates.
They were excited to read about Moses again. Yes, the story of Moses truly tied in with our studies this week. After all he had a wonderful mother who protected him from certain death. More importantly she taught him all she could before he had to go live in the Palace. It's funny how I see these Bible "stories" in such a different light now that I'm the Mom. While I find Moses' mother as loving for hiding him in the river, I find her twice as courageous for being able to hand her son off to another women to raise. The mysterious ways of God..
Science day was as welcomed this week as much as it was last. All though Jayden was a bit disappointed we weren't going to make boats and sink them. hehe We did "duckie" experiments this week. We learned so many fun things. The boys learned how duck bills work, the life cycle of a duck, and why ducks waddle. I think the neighbors may have had a few giggles over the last one.
The boys donned flippers and attempted to walk around. Jayden was very pleased with the slapping sound that his flippers made when he walked so he insisted on wearing them to the hobby store! Oh, what giggles people had, if they only knew how much he was laughing as he made such loud slapping noises as he moved!
We even managed some feather art this week. Does that sound strange? The boys attempted to paint with various feathers. Some of the effects were stunning! They enjoyed scratching their names in the paint with the quill end of the feather the most, especially when Morgan saw how easy it was to rub out a mistake with the other end of his feather! hehe
Our feast this weekend wasn't as grand, but the boys enjoyed drooling over the Boston Cream Pie until it was served. Morgan is still wondering why it's called a pie when it looked so much more like a cake. I think the best part was when the ducks from the pond wandered up and the boys were delighted to throw them some bird seed!
