At Locust Grove Nature Center the Lunchers had an opportunity to wonder about amphibians and reptiles.
First they met our naturalist and discussed which animals were amphibians--frogs, toads, and salamanders. They learned that amphibians are vertebrates. They lay their jelly-like eggs in water. The eggs will hatch into tadpoles. The tadploes grow hind legs, then front legs before absorbing their tails as they mature into frogs. That's metamorphosis!
It took some close inspection to see the masses of frog eggs in the pond!
The mother Wood Frog laid her eggs, but she did stay to take care of them.
The eggs were transparent with tiny black embryos inside. They will emerge as tadpoles in about two weeks IF the weather stays warm.
It was too chilly for salamanders and toads on the trail!
We did hear Spring Peepers and lots of birds.
We found a vernal pond in the meadow. The pond appears each spring after the snow and rain run down the hills. Vernal ponds are the perfect nursery for frogs and toads. Did you know toad eggs look like a long string of beads in the water while frog eggs look like bunches of grapes?
It was also too cold for the resident snakes who like to sun themselves on the trail so we met Seeker, a corn snake who lives at the Nature Center.
Seeker's skin felt smooth and dry. He's a reptile like alligators, crocodiles, and lizards so he had scales!
There was also a black snake who was rescued after an accident with a car. He was bigger than Seeker, but could not catch his own food because his jaw was broken.
Reptiles and amphibians are fascinating, but so are honeybees! Montessori had an opportunity to learn about honeybees on Friday when Peter and his dad visited our classrooms.
Mr. Cavanaugh and Peter brought their new bee hive to Montessori.
It was made out of wood. It had a door at the bottom and lots of frames inside.
The bees will build their combs on the frames. Then the queen can begin laying her eggs.
Honeybees guard, clean, and cool the hive. The workers take care of the young, tend the queen, and look for nectar to make honey. A beekeeper helps the bees care for the hive. He needs protective gear just in case the bees think he is an intruder(mouse, bear, raccoon or skunk).
The brush will gently brush away the bees so the keeper can check to make sure the hive is healthy.
The smoker makes the bees feel sleepy.
The hive has two sections. Each section hold frames. The Cavanaughs will have 3,000 bees moving into the hive on Monday. In about two months there will be 10,000 bees in their hive! We learned that honeybees are insects. They will go from egg to larvae to pupa to adult in the hive. That's metamorphosis! They help pollinate the plants and trees so we will have flowers, fruits and vegetables. Bethesda should have some beautiful gardens this summer! Thank you, Cavanaughs!
Spring is a time of wonder!
Are you wondering how many Montessori children will be herpetologists and beekeepers?!
