Learning CAN be fun!

I got to witness such fun in my daughter's K classroom today. They are doing a unit on butterflies. They've already watched several caterpillars build their chrysalis, emerge, and then set the beautiful new butterflies free. They can tell the difference between monarch butterflies, painted ladies, and queen butterflies (and know that even the boy queen butterflies are still queen butterflies, not kings). They have learned the difference between a cacoon and a chrysalis. They have learned the difference between a host plant and a nectar plant in the life of a butterfly. And they even have witnessed a spicebush swallowtail caterpillar turn from electric green to the color of bright orange marigolds when a pot of marigolds was placed by it's "bungalow". Today the kids got to act like emerging butterflies. It was so much fun for them. And a hoot for me to watch!


Snug as a bug in a rug (or a caterpillar in a chrysalis)
Wiggling out of a chrysalis without breaking your delicate wings is no easy task!
She's free!

This is what learning is all about. Hands on, fun activities. I completely understand the need and importance of rote learning as well. But I think it's so important for students to get these sort of opportunities in the classroom too. We are so fortunate that both the kids have creative teachers this year. My son's teacher LOVES projects, which is a great way to learn subject matter. And my daughter's teacher is so creative. They cook every week, they take tours around the campus observing nature, they paint, they create, and they learn to think out of the box. Learning can be such fun if you put a little creativty into it!