Field Trip

Today was an important landmark in our family; Aidyn witnessed his very first movie in a movie theater, popcorn and soda and all. We went to the local digital theater in the evening and saw the tremendously awe-inspiring Earth. Harking back to the days of True Life Adventures, Disney is now making more nature films. Aidyn behaved rather well despite his squirmy age. He watched the animals on the big screen with awe and wonder, and at other times, with boredom. Regardless, it was a lovely learning and life experience.

Field Trip

On Wednesday, Aidyn's grandmother took him to the beach in Pacifica and, notably, to the Taco Bell that nearly sits on the ocean's edge. From her report, he had a great time collecting rocks and shells and dipping his fingers and toes in the salty ocean water.

20 April 2009

Today Aidyn and I explored the rainforest cut-outs I recently purchased. We discussed different animals that live in the rainforest which led me to point out his "fun food," Froot Loops, with a toucan on the cover. Excited, he just had to devour a bowlful, so as we did, we talked about the toucans that live in the rainforest and all the fruits they eat in the trees. Later, Aidyn sat down to watch The Magic School Bus: In the Rainforest and afterwards we read three books on the similar subject, his favorite being Way Up High in a Tall, Green Tree by Jan Peck. This turned out to be such a fun living story. For each animal that we "encountered," Aidyn would say, "I love you, ____." When we read about the ocelot, he cooed, "Aw, I love you, ocelot!" It was adorable. After returning home from work, I learned that my husband experienced the same enthusiasm with Aidyn regarding that little book. I may just have to buy it for our collection!

Borneo Rainforest Unit

Theme: Borneo Rainforest
Subjects: bat caves, orangutans, sea turtles, rhinoceroses, toucans, rafflesia, layers of a rainforest, etc.
Vocabulary: island, borneo
Fun Foods: Rainforest sticks, Froot Loops
Practiced skill: counting, number recognition
Music: Music from Borneo

Rainforest Month

In keeping with our major themes suited for our apex adventure, the rainforest is our next exciting stop. For the duration of a month, we will be learning about the rainforest as presented in four different locations: Borneo, Madagascar, the Amazon, and Costa Rica. We will explore the rainforest environment, animals, and plant life. Through the mediums of books, videos, and music, we will submerge ourselves in the tropics. This is sure to be a dazzling month!

Mini-destination goal: The Rainforest Cafe

Week Eleven Synopsis

Reptile week gently re-introduced snakes, turtles, alligators, and crocodiles in a fun, non-threatening way. As it turned out, it became a crafty week as I made a Turtle Toss game, a rattlesnake tail shaker, and a Crocodile Clothespin for Aidyn to play with. We read books about reptiles and viewed online interactive stories such as Clyde's Smile. Aidyn wasn't keen on watching rattlesnake videos, so I decided a trip to the serpentarium would be too much. Regardless, we did go out on a little field trip to a nearby rural barn for local honey. Despite its brevity, we enjoyed this subject and will be sure to visit it again in the future.

Week Eleven, Day Three

This morning I made Aidyn a rattlesnake tail. Using Rattlesnake Dance as a guide, I covered a toilet paper roll with yellow construction paper and filled it with rice. Sealing all the edges, I gave it a shake to show Aidyn how a rattlesnake's tail sound when it rattles. He then pretended he was a snake by hissing and shaking his rattler.

We also watched Clyde's Smile, an animated story about a crocodile who loses his tooth and the friends that help him regain his toothy smile. ( http://www.storyplace.org/preschool/activities/clydesmile.asp?themeid=5) Afterward, we interactively viewed other stories and activities.

Then we headed over to www.mothergoose.com and Aidyn played Monkey Music, his new favorite game.

Also I made him a Crocodile Clothespin. I grabbed a clothespin from the line and colored the majority of it green. I used a white crayon to sketch on the teeth and a black crayon to create eyes. Now the crocodile can snap onto everything.