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In this newsletter you will find books and activities to extend your child’s learning at home. This month’s newsletter will focus on the Program of Studies topics of Living Things and Life Cycles.
Important Dates
April
Friday 4/10: Student Holiday
Tuesday 4/21: Statewide Election - Student Holiday/Teacher Work Day
Visit the FCPS 2025-26 News and Calendars page for more information.
Who I Am in My World
During the fourth quarter, children explore the theme Who I Am in My World. They learn about how living things grow and change by studying life cycles and different plant and animal parts. Students also discover what all living things need to survive. Throughout this unit, children build confidence and learn how to work together—or independently—to stand up for fairness and care for people, living things, and their community.
Social Emotional
Supporting New Friendships
As the weather warms up we can spend more time outdoors at parks, playgrounds, or our neighborhoods. Here are some tips for helping your child navigate interactions with other kids that could become new friendships:
- Bring your child places where there may be children to play together.
- Monitor children for safety when playing outside and/or with new peers; adults can help resolve conflicts peacefully.
- It’s ok if your child is an observer or if children play next to each other rather than speaking with each other. That’s one way kids play!
- Model positive social behaviors, such as taking turns or sharing a toy. If your child does not like sharing his/her toys, you can have a few toys that are yours to share with other children (a ball or bubbles is a
good start).
- Practice empathy by recognizing and talking about feelings of others.
- Encourage your child to be kind to others.
Book: From Seed to Plant
Author: Gail Gibbons
This non-fiction book explains how plants grow. It shows how seeds sprout, grow into plants, and make new seeds through flowers and pollination. The book helps children understand the plant life cycle.
Key Vocabulary
seed, root, shoot, germination, stem, leaves, minerals, bud
Questions
- What do seeds need to grow?
- What are the different parts of a flower?
- Why is it important for seeds to be scattered?
- What are some different fruits and vegetables that grow from seeds?
- Why do you think it is called a plant cycle?
- What can we learn from this story about helping our friends?
Art Extension Ideas:
- Have your child draw a picture of a flower and help them label the different parts of the plant.
- Have your child draw a picture of the plant life cycle. Help them label the different stages.
Story Link
Click the story link to watch or listen to the story!
Book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Author: Eric Carle
In this story, we follow a small caterpillar as it eats different foods during its life cycle. Along the way, children learn about numbers, days of the week, and the butterfly life cycle.
Key Vocabulary
Explore basic concepts like counting, days of the week, food (pickle, plum,
watermelon),and nature (egg, caterpillar, leaf, cocoon).
There are also descriptive/action words to explore: hungry, big, small, warm, eat, bite, build, feel, sleep.
Questions
- What do you think this book is about?
- What do you know about caterpillars?
- What happened to the caterpillar at the end?
- What would you eat if you were a hungry caterpillar?
Story Link
Click the story link to watch or listen to the story!
Community Resources
Nature centers and gardens are wonderful places to visit and explore beautiful flowers, play areas, and exhibits. Many nature centers have events each month for families. Click on the links listed below to find a garden or nature center near you to explore their resources!
Annandale - Hidden Oaks Nature Center
Springfield - Hidden Pond Nature Center Event List
Take a picture walk
Home Connections
Have a spring Scavenger Hunt with your child!
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