With all the nature meditation projects in January and the love of learning about worms in February it's clear we currently have a bunch of learners who are nature enthusiasts!
Early this month the children were offered all kinds of nature pictures to create collages with. The teachers observed over and over that the children had more interest and questions about the mammals than any other pictures. Those observations led us to offering lots of projects about mammals!
Early this month the children were offered all kinds of nature pictures to create collages with. The teachers observed over and over that the children had more interest and questions about the mammals than any other pictures. Those observations led us to offering lots of projects about mammals!
This is a wonderful example of emergent curriculum in action - when projects are inspired by the children's interests we see a a lot more enthusiastic learning happening.
We began with a broad selection of mammal projects. As we explored different mammals through art, stories, and activities the teachers observed which mammals and what about them sparked the most curiosity from the children to evolve into more in depth projects. Check out all the fun learning in action:
On our farm the kids love caring for the bunnies, chickens, worms, and bees! Which of these animals are mammals??
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And on our field trip to Rainshine Farm we loved meeting this sweet baby duck, the bunny tractor and feeding the goats! Hmmmm... are ducks mammals??
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Wildlife Drawing
Here are some of our Marvelous Mammal projects this month!
Farm Animals with Watercolor Pencils
Texas Wild Life Animals
National Geographic African Mammals
Exploring Sea Mammals
Gerbils Are Mammals!
Tracing Bats
Animal Track Painting
Animal Geography
Mammal Habitats with Shelter, Water, and Food
Red Fox and Gray Fox Masks
Fox Walking!
Fox Walking is one of the first skills taught to children in wilderness awareness schools across the globe. Learning how to move in nature is very important if we want to be able to be fully aware of the natural world around us. To practice walking quietly like a fox:
1. Lower the foot to land on the outside of the ball with light pressure.
2. Roll off the edge of the foot onto the ball laying the whole foot down still with only partial weight.
3. Place full weight on foot.
Another way to explain it to kids is to ask them to walk "like their soles of their feet are kissing the earth".
1. Lower the foot to land on the outside of the ball with light pressure.
2. Roll off the edge of the foot onto the ball laying the whole foot down still with only partial weight.
3. Place full weight on foot.
Another way to explain it to kids is to ask them to walk "like their soles of their feet are kissing the earth".
Sit Spots
Sit Spots are another core routine of deep nature connection. A sit spot is a child-selected space where he or she can observe the natural world. For more details on sit spots and sensory awareness see our previous blog Learning With Our Senses.
Mammal Yoga!
What are some mammals that we keep as pets?
Barking Dogs!
(Downward Dog Pose)
Barking Dogs!
(Downward Dog Pose)
Stalking Cats!
(Cat Pose)
What are some mammals who live on a farm?
Cows!
(Cow Pose)
Cows!
(Cow Pose)
Horses!
(Low Lunge Pose)
What animals can you find in the woods nearby?
Deer!
(Seated Twist)
Porcupines!
(Child's Pose)
Howling Coyotes!
(Camel Pose Variation)
Fox (with a bushy tail!)
(Bird-Dog Pose)
What mammals can you find in Africa?
Giraffes!
(Tree Pose Variation)
Elephants!
(Wide Legged Forward Bend)
Lions!
(Lion Breath)
(Lion Breath)
Mammal Geometry
Classifying Mammals
The Art of Questioning
Rather than give all the answers, to help people think critically and creatively it's often best to allow a mystery and answer questions with more questions!
What are these mysterious bones deep in the sand box? Do you think they belong to a mammal? How old do you think they are? What kind of animal do you think they are from? What do you think this animals head looks like?
What are these mysterious bones deep in the sand box? Do you think they belong to a mammal? How old do you think they are? What kind of animal do you think they are from? What do you think this animals head looks like?
Design Your Own Alebrijes!
Remember those beautiful mexican folk art creatures in Coco that were 3 animals all mixed up together? We made up our own animals and animal names with different animal parts!
In the Garden...
Kids who grow vegetables eat vegetables!!
Math-Magical Projects!
These geometrical figures help children to understand the core basics of mathematical figures & shapes. As they study and draw planar figures they begin to understand unique geometric principles.
Given the prompt to create a shelter with these awesome Spielgaben tools the kids learn how abstract ideas of shape, form and space composed of arbitrary lines and points can be realized in solid 3D form.
Designing Bat Houses
Hydrology and Engineering in the Sandbox!
Balloon Science!
Chocolate Monkey Bites
These tasty little treats are made with Green Banana Flour - a favorite with monkeys (and kids!).
Mix together:
3 TBS Green Banana Flour
3 TBS Coconut Oil
3 TBS Nut Butter (we used sprouted almond butter)
3 TBS Honey
1.5 TBS Cocoa Powder
Form mixture into balls and roll in grated coconut or hemp seeds. If the mix gets too soft put it in the fridge for 10 to 15 minutes in the fridge. This recipe makes about 8 bites.
Mix together:
3 TBS Green Banana Flour
3 TBS Coconut Oil
3 TBS Nut Butter (we used sprouted almond butter)
3 TBS Honey
1.5 TBS Cocoa Powder
Form mixture into balls and roll in grated coconut or hemp seeds. If the mix gets too soft put it in the fridge for 10 to 15 minutes in the fridge. This recipe makes about 8 bites.
A swing in Spring...
... and a tunnel!
See you next time!
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