This week we completed our visit to the Florida Everglades, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of North America. Students learned that it is a 50 mile wide low, and slow moving grassy river that covers about 1.5 million acres. We talked about the two seasons in the Everglades, wet and dry, and the importance of fresh water to the ecosystem. Using an obstacle course, we learned about many different kinds of mammals, amphibians, fish, birds, insects, and reptiles. The students enjoyed going through the course. We also played a game called "Alligators in the River" after learning that the Everglades is the only place where alligators and crocodiles live together. In this game air boats (hula hoops) kept disappearing so students had to cooperate to fit as many people as possible in to fewer boats. On one of the last days, Wichita State University Physical Education majors joined some of our morning classes to work with the students. We discussed the problem with snakes in the Everglades and how they are multiplying so rapidly. We did a ribbon wand dance to "Sneaky Snake," read a poem entitled "My Snake," made letters of the alphabet from our string snake, and did a jumping activity called "Jump the Snake." What a busy week!
Picking up mice with the robotic arms (talons) of the osprey.
Walking across the python.
Stepping on the backs of the red bellied cooter turtles.
A cone is placed on the back of a student on a scooter to imitate the lemon shark.
Students played "Alligators in the River." They worked cooperatively to all fit in one boat.
We read a poem entitled "My Snake" and made letters from our string snakes.
"U is for Under. PE majors from WSU came to work with some of our students.
"J" is for Jump.
We did an activity called "Jump the Snake." Our WSU friends helped.
Students used ribbon wands to make a snake while we danced to "Sneaky Snake."
