During the first six weeks of school, pre-kindergarteners have been raising monarch caterpillars! This unit of study has offered all kinds of learning opportunities for Belmont Day’s youngest students, including imaginative play, scientific observation, and data collection. Most importantly, it has helped to cement a culture of care into our pre-k community. In total, we raised and released 21 butterflies, all of whom are well on their way to Mexico for the winter. The next phase of our project involves planting a pollinator garden on campus that will support future generations of monarchs. With lots of help from Ms. Solomon, BDS’ sustainability and garden coordinator, we have weeded and amended the site and will plant several species of native milkweed as well as many other native perennial wildflowers. We are thrilled to support and learn from this amazing migrating species!
– Kim Edwards and Nicole Siverls, pre-kindergarten teachers
