My students are prek/k (mixed-age) and since we’ve been back from spring break, a couple of them have been taking to staring into the new tank setup (i set up a new tank over spring break, 3/26/25) and just observing it. No animals yet, just plants while we develop the cycle/ season the habitat.

Today, one of the middle-years (recently turned 5) gasped and then pointed, eyes wide: “the leaves are changing shape! The leaves were growing round but now they’re growing skinny! Is that on purpose??”

And it lead to such a great convo about plants adapting from growing in the air to growing in the water. He was so amazed. “Plants are SO SMART!” ????

(I love my job)