A word from Ms. Christine Gunset:

Aside from the fact that they are adorable, There are many reasons why we decided to hatch chicks and ducklings.  This experience is tied in to many topics.

Social Studies - During our Social Studies lessons, we discussed helping the earth for Earth Day and completed the planting project in the front of Byrd School.  We talk about preserving the Earth, including the animals that live on Earth with us.

Helping Others - This lesson discussed the concept of volunteering, as part of a family, as a friend and part of a community.  As our chick began to hatch,  we stretched our lesson and talked about how we help pets survive and stay happy and listed all of the chores involved in having a pet including showing them love and attention.

Math - We have been completing and answering questions using a Venn Diagram.  Earlier in the year, we read a story called "The Chick and the Duckling," and created a Venn Diagram to compare these animals.  We will re-read the story and re-create the Venn Diagram again by looking at the actual animal and adding what we learned about them in our classroom.

The children were so very excited when the incubator and eggs arrived — thanks to a gift from the Byrd HSA — and asked many question.  They wanted to know about the different eggs.  They asked each day, "How much longer," and so on. 

The day Miracle (our baby chick) arrived, we watched her come out of her shell as happy squeals filled the room.  The children sat in small circles as Miracle went around pecking everyone.

We now have three ducklings too, and the kids can’t wait to play with them!!!  They have been named Happy, Hope and Banana.

A big thank you to the HSA for their generosity!