Serving Preschool Through 8th Grade in the San Francisco East Bay Since 1962
Kindergarten Welcomes New Feathered Friends!
After spring break, Kindergarten students dove into an exciting hands-on science unit all about chickens and ducks. Both classrooms eagerly began their exploration of bird life cycles—starting with fertilized eggs in incubators.
Curiosity soared as students arrived each day full of questions and wonder. What do the eggs look like inside? How do chicks and ducklings hatch? What will they sound like? Their excitement was captured perfectly in a classroom chant:
“There are eggs in a nest. What could be inside? What could be inside?
There are eggs in a nest. What could be inside?
When they hatch, then we’ll see.
Ready? 1-2-3 Crack! It’s a (duck, chicken)!”
The chick nursery was set up, with water, food, and bedding all ready to go. In K1, with Mrs. Galbraith and Ms. Elizabeth, six duck eggs were safely nestled in an incubator, expected to hatch around May 19. Meanwhile, in K2, Mrs. Sylvester and Ms. Lee had 11 chicken eggs with a May 12 due date. But science is full of surprises—and observant young scientists quickly noticed the first two chicks beginning to hatch four days early! Wide-eyed and thrilled, Kindergarteners gathered throughout the day to watch as tiny beaks pecked through their shells, chirping their arrival into the world.
As more chicks—and eventually ducklings—hatched, both classrooms transformed into nurseries filled with warmth and care. Students learned how to gently handle the animals by practicing sitting down and keeping the chicks low in their laps or close to the ground. They made lists of what baby birds need to survive—food, water, warmth, and gentle care—and took turns helping with their daily care. For three weeks, the joyful sound of cheeping filled the rooms as students practiced stewardship, observed animal life cycles up close, and built meaningful connections with their fluffy new friends.
Our Kindergarten community shared in the joy. Many Seven Hills teachers and staff stopped by to meet the new arrivals, and families were invited to visit during the Open House on May 22. The chicks and ducklings were showered with love and attention at school until the end of May, when they were safely returned to Rancho Pardis in Briones—the same family farm that generously provided the fertilized eggs.
This hands-on experience brought science to life in unforgettable ways, helping our youngest learners grow in curiosity, responsibility, compassion, and care.
“There are eggs in a nest. What could be inside? What could be inside?
There are eggs in a nest. What could be inside?
When they hatch, then we’ll see.
Ready? 1-2-3 Crack! It’s a (duck, chicken)!”
The chick nursery was set up, with water, food, and bedding all ready to go. In K1, with Mrs. Galbraith and Ms. Elizabeth, six duck eggs were safely nestled in an incubator, expected to hatch around May 19. Meanwhile, in K2, Mrs. Sylvester and Ms. Lee had 11 chicken eggs with a May 12 due date. But science is full of surprises—and observant young scientists quickly noticed the first two chicks beginning to hatch four days early! Wide-eyed and thrilled, Kindergarteners gathered throughout the day to watch as tiny beaks pecked through their shells, chirping their arrival into the world.
As more chicks—and eventually ducklings—hatched, both classrooms transformed into nurseries filled with warmth and care. Students learned how to gently handle the animals by practicing sitting down and keeping the chicks low in their laps or close to the ground. They made lists of what baby birds need to survive—food, water, warmth, and gentle care—and took turns helping with their daily care. For three weeks, the joyful sound of cheeping filled the rooms as students practiced stewardship, observed animal life cycles up close, and built meaningful connections with their fluffy new friends.
Our Kindergarten community shared in the joy. Many Seven Hills teachers and staff stopped by to meet the new arrivals, and families were invited to visit during the Open House on May 22. The chicks and ducklings were showered with love and attention at school until the end of May, when they were safely returned to Rancho Pardis in Briones—the same family farm that generously provided the fertilized eggs.
This hands-on experience brought science to life in unforgettable ways, helping our youngest learners grow in curiosity, responsibility, compassion, and care.
The Seven Hills School
975 North San Carlos Drive
Walnut Creek, CA 94598
P | (925) 933-0666
E | info@sevenhillsschool.org
F | (925) 933-6271
Walnut Creek, CA 94598
P | (925) 933-0666
E | info@sevenhillsschool.org
F | (925) 933-6271
