May insects

Happy May!

I will highlight what is happening in English Language Development in the 1st grade this month.

This is the fourth year that we have integrated English Language Development with science content for classroom based lessons in 1st grade classrooms. The classroom teacher works together with me to create this opportunity for students to explore science themes while also developing their skills in speaking, writing, reading and listening in English. This year, the schedule allowed for only one 25 minute time block to do this at the end of the day. We have made the most of the time we have to allow for as much science exploration as we can. The Emergent Bilingual students (also called English Language Learners) from the next door classroom "walk to science" during the time, and a handful of students from the classroom I teach in walk over and join science with the neighboring teacher. This allows me to connect with all of the 1st grade EBs during this time. All 1st graders are engaged in an Insects unit right now, in all 3 classrooms.

The students have been enjoying our Insects unit. We are observing the development of Milkweed Bugs, Mealworms, and Painted Lady Caterpillars. At this time, all of the Caterpillars and many of the Mealworms have entered the pupa phase of their life cycle. Students are making and sharing predictions about what kind of adult insects we will see, and what they will look like. Spring is a great time of year to pay attention to insects, because there are so many opportunities to observe insects outside. Students come in with stories about what they have seen, and where.

Painted Lady caterpillars soon ready to become chrysalises

We have many mealworm pupae.

If you made it this far, thank you for reading! I will post pictures of the adults when they begin to emerge.

If you are part of the Grout community and have any questions about ESL at Grout, stop by to visit in room 206.

~Kristin