Animal Homes
On top of a mountain,
Or under the sea ,
There are so many places 
Where creatures may be.
Alone in a desert ,
Or grouped on a farm , 
Or tucked in a tree trunk
Away from all harm.
On bright , sunny grasslands ,
Or in a dark cave ,
In jungles and forests ,
Where all must be brave.
On ice in the Arctic ,
Or holed underground
There are so many places 
Where creatures are found! 

In this class, we will explore the many different types of homes that animals live in. From cozy burrows to intricate webs, we will learn about the fascinating ways that animals create their homes in the wild.

Through songs, stories, puppet shows and play, we will discover the homes of a wide variety of animals, such as birds, insects, mammals, and reptiles. We will learn how animals build their homes to suit their unique needs, including protection from predators, shelter from the elements, and a safe place to raise their young.

This class will encourage curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning about animals and their habitats and help young children develop important skills such as observation, critical thinking, and problem-solving, as they explore the fascinating world of animal homes. Children will also develop an appreciation for the incredible ways that animals adapt to their environments and create homes that are perfectly suited to their needs.

Each class period will begin with a centering Welcome Poem that includes a mindful breath and positive affirmation. 

Students will then be introduced to the "Home of the Week", which will be followed by a short story! Some stories will be told as puppet shows, while others, memoized by me, are told "from the heart".  This is a Waldorf inspired class, so stories told as puppet shows include hand dyed silks, felted wool, wooden props, and other natural materials. The stories will include songs and verses.   Each story will have facts about animal behavior, life cycle, and habitat woven into fiction. 

Finally, through a guided instruction, we will create an illustration of the animals home.  Students will have the opportunity to recall information they have learned as we add details to the picture together. During this section I will include additional information  and fascinating animal facts. 

Students are welcome to share their illustration at the end of class and encouraged to offer positive feedback to their classmates. Each class will end with a mindful breath, positive affirmation, and goodbye verse! 

Each week students will also receive a supplemental learning packet to extend the learning and exploration. 

This is an ongoing class.  Students are welcome to join at any time! 

Class 1: Fox Den 
Class 2: Hedgehog Nest 
Class 3: Rabbit Burrows 
Class 4: Eagle Nest 
Class 5: Ant Hill 
Class 6: Beaver Lodge  
Class 7: Bee Hive 
Class 8: Humming Bird Nest 
Class 9: The Vogelkop Bowerbird Nest
Class 10: Sociable Weaver Nest
Class 11: Cathedral Termite Mounds
Class 12: Prairie Dog Towns
Class 13: Leaf Curling Spider Web