Cowpokes and Cacti

This marked Keri's last week to teach Rhys' co-op preschool class.  The theme was cowboys and desert so we dug our spurs in and got to learnin'.

On Tuesday, we looked at a map of the world, oriented ourselves on the map and pointed out all the bright yellow areas that depicted desert lands.  We talked about the characteristics of a desert: very little rain, very hot or very cold, and few plants and animals.  We looked at polar deserts and hot, sandy deserts.  We talked about the clothes needed to be there and protect ourselves.  We categorized pictures of clothes to wear in a polar or sandy desert.  Some items were good for both such as sunglasses.

We talked about the job of a cowboy/girl and where they work (ranch, desert).  We shared our show and tell items.  We had some kids that brought horses and cowboy characters from Toy Story.  Others wore the whole cowboy/girl get-up (even with adorable braids).  We talked about why ranch hands would need those things.

There was a great deal of discussion and they talked about camping out quite a bit.  We talked about cooking over a campfire.  For snack we lined up at the chuck wagon to try authentic cowboy food--pork and beans!  All tried it and 2 out of 6 liked it.

After a bit a free play we continued learning about life in the desert.  We showed pictures of burros (donkeys) and talked about their uses and lots of cool facts such as, they drink about 8 gallons of water a day (showed them the milk gallon and counted to 8), they have large ears to hear well and cool them, they don't like rain or puddles, and they like to take dirt baths!

We practiced acting like burros.  We "hee-hawed," bucked out back legs, and rolled around taking dirt baths.  It was quite a show!

Then we embraced our cowboy/girl roles and built a corral of blocks and herded in the burros (ovals-talked about the shape).  I am happy to report that it was a successful drive and not a burro was lost.

Following that we played a cowboy/girl game around the campfire (don't worry-it was only orange and yellow tissue paper so no burns).  The child who was "it" got walk around the others seated around the campfire while they made a continuous "zzzzzzz" sound.  "It" placed a giant purple Z behind one of the seated children and then returned to the circle.  They all shouted out, "Cowboy Z, are you behind me?!" and took a look.  If they had the Z they got to ride the stick horse around the campfire hootin' and hollerin' like a cowboy/girl.  Everyone had a turn to be "it" and be the cowboy/girl.  It was truly fun!

Thursday, we reviewed the characteristics of a desert and spent more time explaining deserts and the flora and fauna that exist there.

We explained how geological structures (mountains) may have an effect on how deserts may form.  We demonstrated the science of this by setting up our own mountain range.  A cloud (cotton stuffing) traveled over lush, green (silk plant leaves) land until it ran into a mountain (an overturned container).  It released it's rain (spray bottle misting) until it was light enough to pass over the mountain, leaving little rain on the other side, creating a desert.

We reviewed that their were few plant and animals that could live in desert conditions.  I showed them pictures of cacti, specifically the cholla and yucca plants.  We discussed that they have spines and what purpose they might serve.  We talked about other things that are prickly, such as rose bushes, berry bushes, porcupines, blow fish, etc.

Then we created our desert scenes with real sand and we added 17 spines to our cholla plants.  This was messy and fun.  Some of the kids really loves digging their fingers in the sand--great sensory input for them.  Glad we kept this art project outdoors, though.

For snack we ate fresh fruit because it is juicy and full of water.  We talked about staying hydrated, sweating, and evaporation to keep cool.  Everyone tried the kiwi and 5 out of 6 kids liked it.  We had water with ice and talked about staying cool.

After a bit of outdoor free play, we gathered together to show off our "show and tell" items.  Each child had brought 17 of a given item.   We practiced counting, identified 7 and 17 on the calendar again and practiced "sky writing" the large numbers in the air with large motor groups. Two kids brought beans (so we became bean counters).  Others brought Cheerios, dried noodles, pennies, and shiny star stickers.

Then we looked at the yucca plant picture again and talked about some interesting uses for this plant.  We talked about how the pointy end of the spine and fibers from the leaves were used to sew, leaves were used to weave baskets, and that stems and roots can be used to make soap. 


We took a bar of white soap (sorry, not yucca, just Olay) and marked 7, 17, and other designs on white paper. Then we water colored over them to reveal the magic scribbles except it totally bombed. It just wasn't showing up and I know now, in retrospect, that I should have wet the paper to make the watercolor flow more. Oh well! You live, you learn. Still had fun.

We closed by reading Who Lives Here?: Desert Animals by D. Hodge.  Okay, "read" is generous.  We "gleaned" from the mass of information and enjoyed the pictures.  The kids picked from the pictures what animals they wanted to learn about and we discussed those, which were a sidewinder, scorpion, elf owl, and gila monster.  It was a good springboard for discussion and acting like different animals.

It was great to be able to teach this year.  It is a fun reason to let the creative juices flow and help out some pretty great kids in the process.  They have blossomed over the year and it has been a pleasure to watch them do so.

I am especially glad that I listened to my gut and put Rhys in the co-op preschool despite his younger age and developmental delays.  Along with his natural development and speech and play therapy, he has demonstrated growth in language, speech, and social skills.  I feel the transition to regular preschool will be significantly easier for him and that he will be better prepared for more structured learning. 

So glad to have worked with great moms that truly care about these young ones and have so many strengths to pull from.  They are amazing.