Reflections of a Teacher

"A child is like a butterfly in the wind. 

 Some can fly higher than others but each one flies the best he can." 

Why compare one against the other?

 Each one is different!

 Each one is special! 

 Each one is beautiful!"

(Facebook.com /incredible)

We are all cocoons waiting to become butterflies. As a teacher I realise the importance of our words and actions. We contribute or hinder the development of children, finding their wings so they can fly.

This post describes an activity I have done with a small group of children who are special, different and beautiful! My small literacy group listened to the story "The Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle.

This story was dramatised and retold in many different ways. One of their favourite activities was retelling the story in sequence using the pictures from the story. The children placed the pictures in sequence on the magnetic board. This story incorporates not only rich language but the children learn the days of the week and numbers. I use role play with many stories especially narratives as I find it is an effective learning tool as it encourages children to become active participants in their learning as well as build their confidence, develop their listening skills and develop their social and language skills. 

"The Very Hungry Caterpillar" is a great story to use for sequencing the events that occur in the story. Sequencing is an important skill as it contributes to the children's ability to comprehend what they read and being able to retell the story (the beginning, middle and end). 

This is a great comprehension strategy to develop especially with narratives. 

At the conclusion of our unit of study we decided to make fruit salad to celebrate all the fruit the hungry caterpillar ate. We called our fruit salad "The Hungry Caterpillar Yummy Fruit Salad".

The next day we recalled what we did and read the recipe. For a free copy of the powerpoint that can be made in a book for the children go to my store, the link is below.
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Very-Hungry-Caterpillar-Yummy-Fruit-Salad-1803044

“How does one become a butterfly?

Pooh asked pensively… 

 “You must want to fly so much that you’re willing to give up being a caterpillar,” 

Piglet replied…… 

 “You mean you die?” Asked Pooh. 

“Yes and no” he answered. 

 “What looks like you will die but what’s really you will live on.”

 -A.A. Milan, Winnie the Pooh