Initially, the children observed the eggs through a light (the children connected this activity to humans taking x-rays of their bones!!) in order to see the egg sac.  They quickly learned that without this egg sac, the chances of hatching decreased.

   The children also used a variety of reference books to find out the length of time needed for the various eggs to hatch.  We carefully "checked-in" on the eggs daily and waited approximately 21 days for the chicks and 28 days for the ducklings and goslings.  We also researched, through books and the internet, the changes that were occurring in the egg.  The children observed pictures of the various stages of growth and change within the egg.  They also made predictions (the colour of feathers, the size, etc) about what the chick would look like when it hatched.  

Our Special Visitors Arrive!!

The children have the opportunity to hold the chicks that have hatched!

After the chicks hatched, each of the classes selected a chick that they would observe.  Our Grade One class chose a yellow chick with small black spots on its back. Together we decided on a name ("Spots") and we observed the changes that the chick was going through, both in its appearance and in its behaviour.

     Every week the children recorded some of the things they noticed.  Many of the children noted that the feathers were changing and that they were not as soft as they were when the chicks first hatched.  They also noticed that the chicks were much more active when we were trying to hold them because they kept trying to get out of our hands.  It was even noted that the smell of the chicks was not very favourable as the chicks grew bigger.  

     The children also made sketches of "Spots" at the end of each week.  Some children even chose to colour these sketches with a variety of materials.  Some used crayons, some used markers and some used water colours.  By the end of the experience, the children had a collection of sketches that showed the changes that the chick had gone through.  The children were very excited to share their learning with their classmates and families.