Hi Team Ward Parents,
By now you may have seen that your child brought home a praying mantis nymph in a small vial. They had them at their tables all day so they could observe them up close!  I asked the students to release them somewhere that might have small bugs for a praying mantis to eat (perhaps some bushes or a garden in the front or backyard).  After the nymph is released, please have your child bring the vial back to school tomorrow.  Before releasing it, you might ask your child some questions about what they've learned.  Here are a few:

-What are the stages in the praying mantis life cycle?
-What are its important body parts?
-What are the similarities and differences between a praying mantis and butterfly life cycle?
-What do praying mantises eat?  How do they eat?

Have fun!

Mrs. Ward

Team Ward has been learning a lot about plant and animal life cycles this spring.  We've had painted ladies and monarchs in our classroom.  We got to observe frogs and other amphibians when Mr. Korb came to visit our school last week.  We've also had two praying mantis egg cases hatch in the last week!

I have posted many pictures from this spring under the photos link from our trip to Rivershire, Diabetes Walk, Portfolio Day, and Mr. Korb's visit.  

Here is a list of important reminders for the last three weeks of school:

*Please make sure that you check to see if your child has returned his/her library books!  Mrs. Nora is starting the inventory process. All LIBRARY books are due on Friday, May 23rd!

  *Monday, May 26th - No School   
  *Friday, May 30th- ½ Day of School-dismissal at 12:05 p.m.   
  *Monday, June 2nd – Jigsaw puzzle day: Bring a jigsaw puzzle to school (labeled with family’s name).   
  *Tuesday, June 3rd – Board game day: Bring a favorite board game to school (labeled with family’s name).  
  *Wednesday, June 4th- End of the Year Picnic at Sunset Park (more information will follow)     *Thursday, June 5th - Favorite books day: Bring your favorite books to school (labeled with family’s name).  
  *Friday, June 6th-Last Day of school-full day