The Desert !

We started our exploration of the desert by comparing this region and the Arctic.  This gave us a good sense of what the children had remembered from before spring break, as well as their existing knowledge of the desert and the things that grow/live in it. 

Since the kids had been so interested in the Arctic flowers, we decided to start right off with learning about cacti.  The children loved learning about the spines on the cacti and their jobs. They compared this knowledge to the importance of their own spines.

Jack is checking out a magazine filled with different kinds of cacti and desert wildlife.

No study of the desert would be complete without proving your bravery by touching those sharp spikes!

Clea brought in a lizard from the living science area.

The children were quick to tell us how  his coloring keeps him camouflaged in the desert sand,and how the spikes on his skin protect him from desert predators.

After looking at many non-fiction books, we realized that desert sand is composed of  many different colors and the rock formations are very unusual.

Everyone got 3 dabs of brown paint on their palette (paper plate) and could chose 3 different colors to mix with the brown.

Then each child created their own desert landscape, with arches and rock columns and wavy sand dunes.

Looking at both the actual cactus and beautiful and enlarged photographs, the children could see the different components of a cactus.  Laura is beginning to draw her barrel cactus.

Anna made a prickly pear cactus.  She is getting a real fine motor workout with drawing, cutting, breaking toothpicks in half for the spikes and putting those  glue lines down exactly where she wanted them.

Max is showing us that his cactus has spikes all over, and not just on the ends!

James David has chosen a large saguaro cactus.  Look at his concentration!

More cacti makers.  Once the construction paper cacti dry, we will add them to the desert scene hanging right outside our door.  Please take a minute to look....each child told us what they might need if they went to the desert and their drawings and explanations are adorable.

The desert exploration is not just in art.  Here you see Matthew and Jonah using colored blocks and imagination to create a home for the snakes and lizards.

The boys were very intent on making a bridge for the reptiles.  We're not sure exactly where the snakes were headed!

And of course...sand in the sensory table.    No matter what material we use, this is a favorite spot during centers.  Scooping and spooning, running your fingers through the sand or simply chatting with friends is often a quiet break from the more  active (and noisy) block area.