Amazon Unit Reports

I had the kids choose an animal to learn about. They came up with their own questions, and did the research, and then presented their reports!

Graham

Green Tree Boa

Evelyn

Toucan

Scotty

Red-Eyed Tree Frog

Scotty

The Life Cycle of the Frog

William

The Pitcher Plant

Bella

The Blue Morpho Butterfly

Rainforest Field Trip!

After reading some books about the rainforest last time, we thought it would be a good field trip to go visit Rainforest Cafe! (Side note: Jacob's shirt is now called "grandpa boat" shirt...he pulled out his whole drawer of clothes looking for it.)

After some stumbling blocks (traffic in downtown due to ComicCon- and weirdos, Estee not having a phone, arriving together and finding free parking) we finally made it! We took plenty of time to enjoy the scenery, and we didn't lose anyone! That was an accomplishment.

The kids loved the roaring animals and sounds of the rainforest! They're growling here.

All of a sudden the animals started trumpeting and roaring and beating chests...that was really fun! Graham's face as we walked into the understory was priceless- a mixture of thrill and terror at the sounds and scenery!

Jacob was hiding from the elephant at this point. Will was initially so scared of the elephant that he protectively yanked back an excited Eva- by her ponytail! I think he was still wary of it at this point. The decorations were beautiful, and the crocodile was awesome!

We parked a good Adventure walk away from downtown, so it was an eye-opening experience! I think we're country folk...

With three adults and eight kids, I think we made quite a procession!

I like how Scotty is peeking out from behind Graham here.

The kids found a painted piano on our way back to the car. Of course they had to try it! It looked cooler than it sounded. Scotty handed me one of the black keys that came off completely! And that has to do with our rainforest study because...ebony is grown in the rainforest!

And our newest little Adventurer Jacob now has his own vest! He also loves salsa!

Afternoon on the Amazon

We started our rain forest study with reading "Afternoon on the Amazon," (Magic Tree House). Then we read this cool pop-up book by Maurice Pledger called "Jungle." I love these pop up books! I've been waiting for the time to use these! Not only do they have awesome illustrations, they also have sounds with each page! Then we practiced Amazon animal calls. The howler monkey calls were a favorite.

Then we had art class! Everyone chose an animal found in the Amazon, and then we used watercolor pencils and marker paper so we could lightly paint and blend our artwork! They turned out beautifully!

Graham- poison dart frog, Scotty- scarlet macaw and toucan, Eva- toucan and harpy eagle, Will- howler monkey, Bella- blue morpho butterfly. They were gorgeous!

Then the adults got to chat as we cooked and got ready for dinner.

Story of our lives...doing everything with the baby attached…

Meanwhile, the kids tramped around in the "leaves" from the "forest floor". We all tore these from construction paper as we were listening to Graham read "Afternoon on the Amazon."

Little Joseph just grows too fast! I can't believe he's on the move!

Then, we had a fun weekend with the cousins up in Temple! Mimi brought everyone fun costumes, and Steve was leading the kids in ninja training and sneaking up on Grandpa, who was fixing the boat. I didn't get any pics of us out on the boat, but it was really fun! 

After ninja training, we settled down for some Zingo!

After that, somehow Steve STILL had energy...and ran out in the rain and the sprinklers with the kids!

Then on Thursday, we did our violin group class, but I didn't get a picture. I thought I would put in this picture of my family, half of my life ago...doing what I love! Family that plays together, stays together!

But I did get a good picture of this face! Will was working hard on his "I'm a Little Monkey". Bella and Eva and Scotty nailed our Egyptian song, "Into the Tomb." I was proud of the girls! I had them in mind as I wrote it. I think it helped that we sang it about 10 times before that, so we could record it with the piano, drums and tambourine. Next time we'll attack our Rainforest song!

Then we read two books about the rainforest: "If I Ran the Rainforest" and Dorling Kindersley "Rainforest Revealed." The kids looooved learning about the plants and animals! Mostly the animals, but they were fascinated by the rafflesia flower and the pitcher plant!

Oh sweet baby Sam!

Then we had a little activity learning about where chocolate comes from! This was fun! The looks of disgust as they tasted the 100% cacao powder was great! Unfortunately, you can't see Will's face, "that is so gwoss!" Jacob was not happy about it either, shaking his head and clearing his throat.

But then we tasted semi-sweet Cocoa powder, and some Ghirardelli semi-sweet and then milk chocolate! Everyone liked this activity!!

Theme Song!

Today, we learned the words and dance to our Ragsdale Adventure Days Theme Song. This was so much fun!! Then, we finished coloring and labeling Japan focus pictures. We learned a lot of new Japanese words this way! It was a fun writing exercise for the older three kids. Will and Bella stuck to coloring and cut-and-paste.

When the babies were finally asleep, we had group violin class and easily reviewed our previous songs (it gets easier every time!). Then we learned our new song, "Into the Tomb" which is actually matched up with our previous "Mummies in the Morning" unit. (It took me a while to get around to writing it.) Anyway, they learned that one easily! They're all doing so well- especially when the good attitudes are on! 

Then they all snuggled up to read the beginning of "Afternoon on the Amazon," which Graham did a great job reading aloud with excitement and animation (I think those two words are the the definition of "Graham").

Sorry, Eva...I was just trying to get a candid pic and fit everyone in the picture, and I didn't notice...I still think it's really cute!