Throughout the year we ask the kids what they are most interested in learning about and dinosaurs were on top of the list this August!
We loved reading these great books to learn all about these ancient creatures:
We loved reading these great books to learn all about these ancient creatures:
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Dinosaur Eggs!
We learned that dinosaurs are reptiles and are hatched from eggs.
We made these fun 'dinosaur eggs' with water balloons in the freezer and the kids hatched their baby dinosaurs by melting them in the sun, using hammers, and using droppers with salt water.
We learned that dinosaurs are reptiles and are hatched from eggs.
We made these fun 'dinosaur eggs' with water balloons in the freezer and the kids hatched their baby dinosaurs by melting them in the sun, using hammers, and using droppers with salt water.
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We conducted an experiment to compare the rate of melting the eggs in the shade vs melting the eggs in the direct sunlight and used calculators to determine our results.
Dinosaur Swamp!
We created a dinosaur habitat for our friends to play and learn in.
We created a dinosaur habitat for our friends to play and learn in.
“I think the reason kids like dinosaurs so much is that dinosaurs were big, different from anything alive today, and extinct. So they are imagination engines.”
Jack Horner, the paleontologist who discovered the Maiasaura and served as a technical advisor for the Jurassic Park films.
Jack Horner, the paleontologist who discovered the Maiasaura and served as a technical advisor for the Jurassic Park films.
Dinosaur Fossils!
We learned how humans discovered dinosaurs through fossils of their bones.
We learned how humans discovered dinosaurs through fossils of their bones.
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DIY Dinosaur Fossils
We made our own dinosaur fossils out of terracotta clay to take home!
We made our own dinosaur fossils out of terracotta clay to take home!
We became paleontologists and went on a fossil hunt!
Pasta Diagrams!
We glued different sizes of macaroni together to learn how the skeletal system of the T-Rex and Brachiosaurus fit together. It's also a great activity to work in some essential counting skills!
We glued different sizes of macaroni together to learn how the skeletal system of the T-Rex and Brachiosaurus fit together. It's also a great activity to work in some essential counting skills!
Dinosaur Footprints!
We turned toy dinosaurs into stamps and then matched the footprints to the matching dino after they dried.
We turned toy dinosaurs into stamps and then matched the footprints to the matching dino after they dried.
Matching games are a classic Montessori activity - some of the benefits include:
- improve concentration
- train visual memory
- increase short term memory
- increase attention to detail
- improve the ability to find similarities and differences in objects
- help to classify objects that are grouped by similar traits
- improve vocabulary
Play-dough Footprints!
We made big dinosaur footprints from colored felt and played a tag game of meat eaters vs. plant eaters!
Learning to Draw Igaunodons!
Dino Bracelets!
To hone our fine motor skills and practice patterns we made bracelets with different colored beads and dinosaur shaped pasta.
To hone our fine motor skills and practice patterns we made bracelets with different colored beads and dinosaur shaped pasta.
Fun Creative Rainbow Glitter Dinosaurs!
To cool off our eager paleontologists we made these frozen honey coconut treats! Check out our previous blog for the recipe.
To extend your child's dinosaur learning experience check out the Dino Pit at the Austin Nature Center, The Hartman Prehistoric Garden at the Zilker Botanical Gardens, and The Hall of Geology and Paleontology at the Texas Memorial Museum!
See you next time!
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