There was great ‘Eggcitement’ in Kindergarten last term as we watched our baby chicks and ducklings hatch. This was the highlight of our Kindergarten Science unit on ‘Living Things’, where students investigated the needs of living animals, including humans, and learned how our five senses help us stay alive and safe.
Over several weeks, students observed hatchlings emerge from their eggs in the incubator. They learned that the hatchlings use their egg tooth to crack the shell in a zipper-like formation before hatching. This hands-on Science program naturally linked to other Key Learning Areas, incorporating daily journal writing, Art, and Mathematics. Students created their favourite hatchling using playdough and represented this data in graph form, which clearly showed that chicks were the favourite this year!
Kindergarten also observed how independent the baby chicks and ducklings were right from the moment they hatched. Each hatchling instinctively found food and warmth under the lamp. Comparing this to how helpless human babies are at birth sparked fascination among the students!
Following the completion of our ‘Learn to Swim’ program, students noted how clever the ducklings were, swimming capably just a day or two after hatching. The experience of caring for the hatchlings provided many opportunities for learning, as students explored the similarities and differences between chicks and ducklings.
The excitement wasn’t just limited to Kindergarten—the whole school was invited to join in the fun! Students across year levels observed, sketched, and even held the chicks and ducklings. Year 6 buddies also enjoyed spending this special time with Kindergarten, creating even more cherished memories.
Comments from Kindergarten:
- “I loved watching the eggs when they were about to hatch.”
- “I love that they are fluffy.”
- “I was so excited when they were born!”
- “I love it when they are so fluffy, and we get to hold them.”
- “Every day we have been keeping a chicken diary.”
- “The ducklings are so much bigger than the chicks!”
- “Ducklings LOVE water, but they are a bit smelly!”
This unique learning experience truly brought Science to life, inspiring curiosity and joy in everyone involved.