Monday, July 25, 2011

Virtual Destinations and Beyond!

Здравствуйте! (Hello!) What an incredibly busy week we have had! I apologize for not giving a mid-week update, it really just got away from me! We were welcomed this week to the largest Country in the World! Here are some fantastic facts we picked up on our travels:
Russia constitutes one-seventh of the world’s landmass and spans eight time zones. This expansive area allows it to neighbor more countries than anywhere else on earth, as well as touch twenty-two bodies of water and hold twelve seas within its borders.
This amazing Country provided us with so much information, we know we want to go back and learn more eventually! 

We had an absolute blast learning the History of Matryoshka Dolls and even decorating some of our own! I made up a fun worksheet with many Matryoshka facts and activities on it, that allowed us all to do our own work. 

 The Dot-to-Dot was a favorite activity of my youngest, who enjoyed coloring it in too! While going from each letter, we decided to do these all in Russian! This was quite an experience.
It was time to make our own Matryoshkas and this was by far the most fun lesson yet! We colored, we pasted, we cut, we glittered and came up with some awesome creations. Next we put them on popsicle sticks and created puppets! It was time for a puppet show, but tickets had to be sold first! No US dollars accepted here, they had to pay in Rubles! 


We made a quick stop in space, to study Sputnik and the Russian space program, which of course mesmerized my little ones and started an entire offshoot of this virtual vacation! haha! We will be taking on a more in-depth Space Theme Unit soon!
We have had an incredibly hot week here in the Midwest, but the learning must go on!! While on our way to the museums on Friday, we ran in super quick to the zoo (we are members) to read all about the Amur Tigers (formerly the Siberian Tigers). Did you know that there are only about 400 left in the WORLD? They are running out of space to live in their home land as well as being hunted for their beautiful coats. This was a great lesson in endangered animals as well as conservation.


 We combined this with our information on Siberia, too bad it was so hot, it didn't quite fit in with our studies that Verkhoyansk is one of the coldest places on EARTH!! We also took a minute to learn that temperatures can be as low as -90 degrees Farenheit there. On our way to the zoo, we stopped and took a look at the temperature as it was here and it was still early morning! A fantastic trip, that we have all agreed to repeat at another time, because there was just too much to do and see!
Namaste! We are in India this week! As this post has been incredibly wordy, I will try to keep the facts short!
We have flown in from Moscow to Delhi a distance of 2708 miles and the flight time was just about 5 hours and 40 minutes! Did you enjoy your Darjeeling Tea on the flight? It was absolutely delightful! Be sure to keep your eyes open while travelling throughout this amazing Country! Did you know that the Cow and Monkey are considered special animals? Because of this they are allowed to roam free! Be on alert to snap some amazing photos!

Here is our plan of attack:
1. Monkey Sighting! (I have hung monkey cut outs throughout the house with a number on it)
The kids are to take off on an adventure with their binoculars and look out for Monkeys! They must find all 10 and jot them down in their field journal as to where they were found and what they were doing.

2. Culinary Expedition. We will be making Curry Chicken over a bed of jasmine rice! YUM!

3. A tea party is of the highest importance, did you know that spices and teas are big business in India?

4. Rubber is a huge export, we will attempt to make our own rubber!

5. We will be making a Himalayan Mountainscape out of  playdough.

6. Decorating our own Taj Mahal while learning facts about it.

7.  Bell Dancing is sure to have us in a giggling fit!

There is so much more to come! Care to join us? Check out my worksheet HERE!

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Check out our new Project, as an offshoot to our Virtual Vacation:




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