Blog for April 11 and 13

Happy Easter, almost!
We aren't talking about Easter yet, I am saving that for next week. We are talking about and experimenting with something we see around at Easter and that is EGGS!

Table activities this week include play with and sorting plastic eggs, putting things in them, snapping them shut, finding their match, dot painting on Easter themed pictures, building with eggs and playdoh, and balancing eggs on straws.

Some KDIs we are focusing on this week are-

Drawing conclusions: Children draw conclusions based on their experiences and observations.- What lays eggs? Why are the babies in eggs? We took a look inside a chicken egg today and learned what was in it that helps babies to grow.

Fine-motor skills: Children demonstrate dexterity and handeye coordination in using their small muscles. - Matching eggs, putting them together, putting things inside them, building with them, all great for working fingers.

Jesus Time- This week's story is a difficult one- Jesus is before Pilate and is crucified. After Palm Sunday and his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, Jesus spends the week teaching and preaching in Jerusalem, in the temple courts, all over! Jerusalem is packed full of people ready to celebrate the Passover, their annual remembrance of God leading the enslaved Israelites out of Egypt long ago. On Thursday evening, Jesus and his disciples are celebrating their Passover meal. Judas leaves to report to Jesus' enemies where he is and betrays him in the Garden of Gethsemane later that evening with a kiss. Jesus is arrested and taken to the Jewish leaders, but they do not have the power to condemn him to death. He is taken to the Roman ruler, Pontius Pilate, and Pilate is told that he claimed to be a king. Treason against the Roman Caesar! Pilate is stuck, he knows Jesus is innocent, but if word gets back to Rome that he let a man who claimed king go, he would be in trouble. He has Jesus whipped and beaten to try to evoke sympathy from the gathered crowd. Instead he is confronted with demands of "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" Pilate washes his hands to demonstrate that he is not taking responsibility  for Jesus death and hands him over to be crucified.
Jesus is so weak, he can't carry the part of his cross that they give him. He is nailed to the cross, but says, "Father, forgive them, they don't know what they are doing."
The only disciple who remains with him to the crucifixion is John. He gives his mother, Mary, into John's care. He asks for a drink. He tells the thief on the cross next to him that he will see him in heaven after that thief comes to faith. He cries out, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" during the time of darkness from 12noon until 3pm. He proclaims "It is finished" when he has suffered for our sins and then says "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." Then he dies. All for us! We talked about Jesus being buried in a cave by Joseph and Nicodemus. But the kids would not let Jesus stay there, they wanted to know the rest! He is risen!! We will talk more about the next part of the story next week!It is a hard story to hear and understand. God bless your Holy Week! 

Books of the Week- "National Geographic Kids Ducklings" by Marfe' Ferguson Delano and "Daisy and the Egg" by Jane Simmons

You should have received a permission slip for Domino Farms today. That field trip takes place April 20th and the cost is $6 per student, which includes admission and animal feed.

The address for your GPS is 3001 Earhart Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48106.

There is no school on Monday due to Easter! Have a blessed Holy Week!

Mrs. Schneck