Today was the Middle East. We began with the game "Baduk and the Coin" (holding fists out in a circle a coin gets passed around and the person in center of circle gets 3 guesses to who has the coin). Then we played "Trip to Jerusalem" (similar to musical chairs but with cones). Next we talked about a common symbol you would find all over the Middle East: the Hamsa (a symbol for peace and protection against evil). Then we looked at Mosques and listened to a "Call to Prayer" s

Today was North and Central America. We started with a game of Cornhole and Ulu Maika (from Hawaii).Then those that wanted to played a game of kickball since it originated in Ohio. For garden class, we talked about sunflower seeds and hung up some sunflower blossoms for the birds to pick at. Then for Panama we made felt molas depicting an animal or plant. Next we talked about the Grand Canyon and how it has formed. During snack, we continued to practice the play. Then we went

Today was South America. We started with a game of Oba (leader catches the balloon a certain way and then partner has to copy them) and Luta De Galo/"Fight of the Rooster" (try to grab your partner's handkerchief with one arm crossed and hopping on one foot). Then at the art studio some explorers put their final details on the week long Batik project while we talked about The Amazon Rainforest and it's amazing biodiversity. We looked at some of the spectacular animals of the

Today was Asia Part 2. We started the morning with a tag game called "The Wall" (in honor of the Great Wall of China). Then at garden class, they made a water mix with concentrated worm castings to help add nutrients to the plants. Some also harvested squash and cucumber to eat or take home. Then we did the second step for the Batik Fabric which was painting over the glue with acrylic paint. Tonight they will soak in water and everywhere the glue was painted will wash away to

Today was Asia Part 1. We talked about Diwali (the Indian festival to celebrate the victory of light over dark) and how it relates to the folktale "Rama and the Demon King". In celebration of Diwali we did Rangoli sand art and Henna tattoos. Next we had snack and discussed characters and a plot for their original play. Then we went to the obstacle course for awhile. Back at the art studio, we discussed the Ring of Fire and why volcanoes erupt. We also labeled the parts of a

Today's continent was Africa so we started with a game of Ampe (jump twice and pick a foot to put out in front of you, if it matches the leader's foot they get a point, if not then you are the leader). Next we talked about the Nile and Egyptians. We looked at pictures of hieroglyphics on temples and talked about how papyrus is made. Then they drew or stamped their name in hieroglyphs on a papyrus bookmark. While talking about the Nile we discussed water pollution in Africa an