What’s Wild?

Explore the difference between wild and domesticated animals. Animals that are wild are called wildlife. Wild animals are animals that take care of themselves without depending on people. They get their food, water and everything they need to survive on their own from the environment. Domestic animals rely on people to provide food, water and shelter for them. Domestication is a process that takes place over a long period of time and involves selectively breeding animals for the traits that we want.

The difference between wild and domestic animals may be confusing for children at times. For example, animals that live in zoos are wild animals but their needs are provided for by people. These animals are a special example of those animals and are not how most of the animals of that species live. Encourage children to think about how most animals of the same species live. Another example is dogs and cats that have been abandoned and are left to care for themselves. They are still domesticated animals; they are just no longer under the care of a person and are no longer tame.

Neighborhood Animal Walk

Start by asking children what comes to mind when they hear the words “wild animal”?  What are some wild animals that they have seen or know about? Can they think of any animals that are not wild? What is the difference? Do any of them have pets or know someone who has a pet?

Take children on a walk through the neighborhood around the school.  Watch for animals. When you see animals ask the children: Is that a wild animal or a not wild (domesticated) animal? Why do they think so? What is the animal doing? Keep a record of the animals that you see. Record the children’s observations.

Classroom (or outdoor space)
Read aloud to the children the two “A Day in the Life” stories on page 73 of Growing Up WILD book. Have children act out the stories or use a felt board or other visual to make the stories come to life. Discuss the differences in the two animals’ lives. Ask: How does the dog get what it needs? How does the squirrel get what it needs? Which of the animals is the wild animal? What is the difference?

Provide an assortment of plastic and/or plush animals for children.  As a class. sort them into baskets according to whether children think they are wild or domesticated. Some animals may fit into either basket (mice, rabbits) so you may need a third basket for animals that can be either.

Provide the felt board and sorting animals for the children during center time to explore and play with. Listen to the stories they make up with the felt board.

If you have a classroom pet allow children to take part in the care of the pet. If they cannot directly take part in the care of the animal they could help the teacher remember, gather supplies, or take turns observing the pet for the day.

Note: This blog will discontinue in late September. Sign up for the KinderNature Early Childhood email list to continue to receive activities and ideas like these.
   

Celebrate the Monarch's Journey at Blank Park Zoo Festival

Come celebrate the monarch's journey from Canada, through Iowa, to Mexico at the 2016 Monarch Festival on Sunday, September 18 from 12-4 p.m. at the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines.

Monarch Festival Activities

• Come dressed as your favorite insect for the 3rd Annual Children's Bug Parade. Wear your wings, your orange and black, antennae or make your costume at the zoo. There will be special prizes for First and Second place Best Costumes.
• Polk County Conservation will lead Insect Hunts and a Monarch Tagging event. Learn how to safely catch monarch butterflies to attach a tag. If these special monarchs are found in Mexico, they can help scientists track the migration.
• Numerous Plant.Grow.Fly partners will offer hands-on activities, demonstrations and crafts for the whole family.
• Los Ninos del Pepeyac - Danza Folklorica, a group dedicated to learning and teaching about the Mexican culture through dance, will perform.
• Explore our Butterfly Garden and experience traditional Mexican music by Mariachi Azteca.
• Families and kids of all ages are encouraged to take part in an interactive performance workshop called Follow That Monarch by Carol Taylor's Patchwork Puppets.
• Create your own butterfly oasis in your yard with free milkweed seeds provided by the Blank Park Zoo and Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge (limited supply).
• Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie and Nevada Mayor Lynn Lathrop will be recognized for signing the Mayors for Monarchs Pledge.

Growing Up WILD Early Childhood Training

This workshop leads you out the door and provides hands on activities and resource materials to help you lead your own nature explorations. Growing Up WILD activities use age appropriate practices and concepts to build on children’s sense of wonder and invites them to explore nature and the world around them. Specially written for children 3-7, activities include sections to address many learning areas: math, science, language, literacy, health living, play, and creativity.

Growing Up WILD received the 2009 Family Choice Award and the 2011 Renewable Natural Resource Foundation Excellence in Journalism Award.

October 8, 2016
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Sidney Cowboy Elementary Café (1002 Illinois Street, Sidney)

Registration: Iowa Child Care Providers Training Registry - Click on Search Trainings, then search Reconnecting in the Title. Your enrollment will be complete when payment is made. The fees for service will be used to off-set direct expenses and to support Humans Sciences County Extension Program.

Registration Deadline: October 3, 2016
Cost: $15 (includes lunch, activity materials and 128-page guide)

Dress casually and appropriately for outdoor activities.

For more information, contact Linda Marshall at 712-374-2351 or lyndam@iastate.edu.

Explore the Fascinating World of Ants

There are more than 12,000 species of ants in the world. They live on almost every landmass on Earth except Antarctica and a few small islands. Ants live in complex social groups called colonies. They have a four stage life cycle consisting of egg, larva, pupa and adult. Ants communicate with chemical signals called pheromones. They use pheromones to lead other ants to food they find and find their way back to the colony after they are out looking for food.

Tell children they are going to be scientists and study ants! Start by asking children: Have you ever seen an ant? What did it look like? How did you know it was an ant? Where was it? What was it doing? Record children’s observations.

Have a collection of various food items prepared (bread, fruit, meat, grass, cheese, etc…). Explain to children that you are going to do an experiment to see which food items ants prefer. Divide paper plates into fourths with a marker. Allow children to choose four food items they think the ants will prefer. Ask them: What food items do you think the ants will most like to eat? Why do you think so?

Take children outside and go on an ant “hunt”. When you find ants or an anthill, place the plate(s) nearby and then sit back and observe. It may take a few minutes for the ants to find the food. Encourage the children to make observations about the ants while you wait. What do they look like? How do they move? How many ants are there?  Count the ants as they visit the food areas. Record the number and the food item. This is your data scientists! When you return to the classroom graph your results and discuss what you learned as a class.

To further the activity, create or purchase an ant farm for your classroom. Keep an ant journal and check on the ants and their activity daily.

For this and other great ideas, use Growing Up WILD’s “Ants on Parade”!

Helpful Links

Guide to Common Ants in Iowa

Ant Life Cycle Sequencing Cards

Note: This blog will discontinue in late September. Sign up for the KinderNature Early Childhood email list to continue to receive activities and ideas like these.

 

 

 

 

Growing Up WILD Early Childhood Training - October 8

This workshop leads you out the door and provides hands on activities and resource materials to help you lead your own nature explorations. Growing Up WILD activities use age appropriate practices and concepts to build on children’s sense of wonder and invites them to explore nature and the world around them. Specially written for children 3-7, activities include sections to address many learning areas: math, science, language, literacy, health living, play, and creativity.

Growing Up WILD received the 2009 Family Choice Award and the 2011 Renewable Natural Resource Foundation Excellence in Journalism Award.

October 8, 2016
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Dallas County Extension (28059 Fairground Road, Adel)
Registration: Iowa Child Care Providers Training Registry - Click on Search Trainings, then search Reconnecting in the Title. Your enrollment will be complete when payment is made. The fees for service will be used to off-set direct expenses and to support Humans Sciences County Extension Program.
Registration Deadline: October 1, 2016
Cost: $10 (includes lunch, activity materials and 128-page guide)
Dress casually and appropriately for outdoor activities.

For more information, contact Myra Willms at 515-993-4281 or mwillms@iastate.edu.

Join the Iowa DNR at the 2016 Iowa State Fair

Stop by the Iowa DNR building to see the Iowa fish in the historic aquarium, have your questions answered, and take in a presentation in the beautiful courtyard.

Check out these presentations (the whole courtyard schedule is available at iowadnr.gov/IowaStateFair):

Thursday, August 11
Get Active, Get Healthy, Get Outdoors!
We’re kicking off our the fair at the DNR Building with a Q&A session with DNR Director Chuck Gipp in the morning, followed by several other events throughout the day. In the afternoon, bring the kids to the DNR courtyard to craft tools for your aspiring nature detectives.

Friday, August 12
Bring Nature to your Backyard
What’s all the buzz about pollinators? Join us on Friday to find out. Whether you’re listening to State Forester Paul Tauke field questions, or making seed bombs to attract pollinators to your backyard, be prepared to learn about Iowa’s little wonders.

Saturday, August 13
Come Fish with Us
Fishing Day in the courtyard begins with a question and answer session with Fisheries Bureau Chief Joe Larscheid, followed by an instructional presentation for kids who want to learn to fish. In the afternoon, you can get the scoop on primitive fish or get a close up look at real Iowa turtles.

Sunday, August 14
Wild in Iowa|With appearances from live trumpeter swans and Iowa’s reptiles and amphibians, Sunday will be a wild day in the courtyard. At noon, join us for an activity teaching kids the best and safest ways to bring wildlife to your backyard.

Monday, August 15
Taking to the Field
Monday is the day of the hunt. Come by the courtyard to pick up information and expertise on a variety of hunting topics. Whether you’re training a new hunting dog, looking for the perfect hunting spot, or hoping to cook wild game of your own, find what you’re looking for here on Monday.

Tuesday, August 16
Iowa’s Habitat Heroes
We have a responsibility to respect and protect our natural habitats. Visit the DNR building for information on the newest and brightest ways of looking after Iowa’s natural wonders.  Celebrate Iowa’s tradition of responsibly managing our resources and hear about the next steps we can take as community to continue this cause.

Wednesday, August 17
Conservation Leaders Past and Present
With a highlight on the Civilian Conservation Corps, Wednesday will honor the accomplishments of Iowa’s great conservationists. At noon, enjoy the presentation of Eagle Scout projects in our courtyard, followed by a presentation on Ding Darling, famed Iowa cartoonist and conservation leader.

Thursday, August 18
Spend S’more Time in State Parks
Pick up some tips and tricks to getting the most from your local state park all day. Starting off with a Q&A from State Park Chief Todd Coffelt, Thursday is for everyone from State Park enthusiasts to future visitors. Don’t miss a dialogue about natural ways of warding off pesky mosquitoes at 1 p.m.

Friday, August 19
Come Fish with Us
The art of fishing is as intricate it is enticing, so come by on Friday for a second helping of fishing guidance and encouragement. Fisheries Bureau Chief Joe Larscheid returns for another discussion in the morning, and be sure to check out the live turtles native to Iowa in the afternoon. Kids are encouraged to join us at 11 a.m. for more fishing basics.

Saturday, August 20
ReusaPalooza!
Junk becomes art! In the morning, take part in a Q&A with Land Quality Bureau Chief Alex Moon. Give old stuff a breath of new life with crafty activities that upcycle junk to treasure for both kids and adults all day until 4 in the DNR courtyard.


Sunday, August 21
EXTREME Outdoors
Our final day will consist of educating the public on the extreme outdoors. Come by at noon to begin your quest to become a citizen scientist for Iowa’s resources. Join us anytime between 11-3 to take part in the adventure of building beautiful birdhouses.

Explore the Wonderful World of Worms

Take children outside to look for worms. Bring small shovels or old spoons and allow the children to help dig.  A great time to look for worms is after a rainfall. Ask them where they think worms might live. Dig there. Try several places.  Questions to ask: Do you think worms prefer wet or dry soil? Why? Do you think they prefer shade or sun? Why? How deep in the soil do you think worms live?

Carefully fill a clear plastic jar with 3 wide layers of soil alternated with 2 think layers of sand (soil, sand, soil, sand, soil). Spray each layer with a mist of water. Place a few worms in the jar. Cover with a layer of dead leaves. Remember, earthworms live in the dark underground so cover the jar with a dark cloth to make them feel at home. Set the jar where it will not be too warm, too cold, or disturbed. Check them after a few hours and each day. What happened to the neat layers of soil and sand? Return your guests to where you found them.

Try these fun ideas from the KinderNature website to continue your exploration of worms.

Spaghetti-Splash Worms

Mix 2-3 packages of cooked spaghetti, 1/3 cup of vegetable oil and food coloring (optional) in a child’s wading pool. Children may want to play with the spaghetti with their hands, sit on it, or (as we tried) use a small slide to get right into the middle of it. Try other things like gelatin which is also a hit.

Worm Tracks

Dip string/yarn into paints and drag across construction paper.

Worm Collage

Make a Worm Collage with cooked whole wheat spaghetti. Give each child a paper plate. Ask them to arrange the noodles any way they wish. Tell them they are worms. The starch in the noodles will help the noodles stick to the plates when dry.


Note: This blog will discontinue in late September. Sign up for the KinderNature Early Childhood email list to continue to receive activities and ideas like these.