"WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE MOON?"

Dear Friends, Families and Blog-Followers,

Today, we were, again, joined by several of our high-school friends, and, later, by Alana, as well, and answered many questions about travel in outer space, in general, and the moon, in particular.

For example, it takes four days to travel from the earth to the moon -- in a FAST aircraft -- and, during the trip, when the fuel has been depleted, the tanks are released -- some crafts land on runways, while others splash down in seas and oceans.

The moon is full of peaks and valleys, and, large holes, called "craters", and it sustains no life -- it is very still -- there exists no wind, so, that the buggy, Flag, and, even, footsteps, have been left behind.

As in the water, bodies are buoyant, and, the earth looks as small from the moon as does the moon from the earth!!

There is nothing to breathe, so space travellers must "suit-up", as noted, below.

During Circle, Miss Downing led us all in drawing "Matman" as an astronaut, and asked the children what he would need for a safe trip -- based on their answers, Kelly added a space-suit, boots and gloves, a helmet, air/oxygen tanks, rope, and, of course, space-dried ice cream?!

Both Miss Downing and Mrs. Dolham have been leading our little friends in lots of theme-related role-playing, games and songs.

Today, we read both non-fictional and fictional theme-related stories, such as, "On the Moon" (Usborne) written by Anna Milbourne, illustrated by Benji Davis and designed by Laura Fearn, "That's Not My Robot" (Usborne) written by Fiona Walt and illustrated by Rachel Wells, "Zoom, Zoom, Zoom, I'm Off to the Moon" by Dan Yaccarino and "How to Trick or Treat in Outer Space" written by Kathleen Krull and illustrated by Paul Brewer.

The kids enjoyed squeezing my "alien" looking pen, as its pliable brain expanded -- (excellent for fine motor skill development -- really!!)

And, some other books of interest, and read to the Butterflies and Puppies, included, "How do Dinosaurs say Good-night" by Jane Yolen (an author from western Massachusetts) and Mark Teague and "Smiley Shark" by Ruth Galloway.

Kolby was very warmly welcomed by Butterflies and Puppies, alike -- today -- his first official day -- congratulations, everyone!!

Love Miss Peacock XOXO