Ever since January, I started contemplating when would I teach the Bugs Thematic Unit to my PreK Class. So I told myself that I would wait until May because it is warm and bugs are everywhere, especially in Alabama. I wanted my students to understand Metamorphosis. So I went online and I bought a cup of caterpillars.
My students were elated after I discussed that we would be receiving them in a couple of days. In a week, they arrived in a small container. We use journals to talk about their progress. Seven days later, all five of the caterpillars created their own cocoon. Next, we played the waiting game, a long waiting game. I felt like the caterpillars had died and so did the kids.
Finally, four of the caterpillars became butterflies. However, one caterpillar was not ready for the transformation. I lost all hope for that caterpillar, not knowing that the next day he would turn out just as beautiful as the other ones.
I found it fascinating that one caterpillar did not let me decide his fate. I wanted that one butterfly to be like the rest.
So many times we measure a student's achievement with another because that is the norm. Since this is "Graduation Season" we must take into consideration that a student or your child must find their own way to reach their goals. Remember there is beauty in waiting.
"It's opener there
in the wide open air.
Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.
And then things start to happen,
don't worry. Don't stew.
Just go right along.
You'll start happening too."
-Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go!
