Bumblebees and Ladybugs spent some time working on symmetry. They used this geometric principle to create symmetry starting from a line of symmetry or starting from a created shape and finding the lines of symmetry. They also created symmetrical penguins to go with our study of Antarctica.

 Bumblebees jumped right into math this new year looking at measuring. Their task here was to measure the food trays for a space station. They were asked to measure length, width and height.  As they progressed some friends decided to find the perimeter of the tray and some the area! Their geometry skills are increasing everyday! And their own motivation and decision making is exciting to see. 

 The Tacoma Children's Museum field study was an exciting day of discovery for the Bumblebees. They definitely were not ready to leave when the time was up. I will caption the photos this time to give you the sense of the amazing activities in which they took part this day. This first one is a series of tubes with air running through. They adjusted knobs on the tubes to change the flow of air and thereby change the direction the scarf took and the place it exited the tube.

 These students are exploring the climbing area. Stairs, a rock climbing wall and a phosphorescent board to write on all delighted them here.

 This room is the Maker room full of STEAM possibilities.

 There is  a huge sailing ship and when a student pedals, the giant wings flap up and down. There are many chores to be done on two levels of the ship.

 This is the large water area with water tables of all sorts. There are jets and currents. There are sea animals and boats. If it can happen in the world in water it can be imagined here.

Noise cancelling headphones are available in the Maker space for those with sensory concerns.

 A field study in Seattle. An experience with live theatre watching Corduroy at the Seattle Children's Theatre. A joy filled lunch watching and listening to the fountain at the Seattle Center and keeping hungry seagulls at bay. It was a day of wonderful experiences using all the 5 senses they have been studying

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 This activity with the Ladybugs and Thunderbolts is week one in the creation of mazes. Choosing between many materials, Bumblebees and their buddies had to design and engineer their mazes, create them from available materials, rethink and rework as needed. Once students had what they considered to be a working maze, they tested it with a marble, then revised and reworked again. Once they have a successful maze, part 2 will be to use Hexbugs (little robotic bugs) to try their mazes and see if they can fined a way through.

 On First Friday some of the middle school friends came by to play board games with the Bumblebees. Board games help practice strategy, turn taking and social interaction. Some of the games required adding and subtracting, critical thinking, and tracking. Students worked on mental agility, thinking ahead, actions and consequences, making tough choices and teamwork.

 Happy Halloween! Bumblebees had a wonderful celebration! Thanks especially to Jessy and Michelle for our spook-tacular party, to the Tates for bringing the amazing dinosaur and to all who helped make a day to remember. Thanks!