Little Learners (1.5 -3.5 years with accompanying adult)
Armadillo Lesson Plan
10:00-10:10 Free Exploration
10:10-10:16 Circle Time
Sing Little Learners Circle song
Armadillo Facts – show pictures
• armadillos have tough skin
• some armadillos roll into a ball when they’re scared, others run away and hide
• armadillos have long claws for digging
• armadillos are super sniffers
• armadillos like to eat bugs and drink water
• some armadillos are good swimmers
• baby armadillos drink milk
10:16-10:20 Armadillo Stretches
• stretch up like you’re a sniffing armadillo
• scrunch up small like rolled up armadillo
• dig
• “swim”
• jump like scared armadillo
• run & stop
show craft to circle, explain what they’ll be doing, invite them to tables
10:20-10:35 Craft – Roll Up Armadillo – see last page for template
• pass out armadillos on messy trays
• pass out brown & yellow paint in bowls (just a dab – they can always ask for more)
• pass out brush rings but point out that they’re more than welcome to use their fingers (it’s good so they don’t get aversion to diff. tactile things, blah blah blah)
• pass out paper towels to dab armadillos dry
• pass out brads to adults so kids don’t decide to swallow them or stick them up their noses
• ask kids to help clean up by brining you their trays, paint, and crayons; then invite them to the carpet for some pretend play
10:35-10:45 Pretend Play
• before they get there, try to put out gossamer and hide bugs inside
• have kids “dig” for bugs to feed their armadillos
• occasionally tell them to roll up into ball or run and hide
• can have them “dig” their armadillos a tunnel and hide them in gossamer
• collect bugs & gossamer
10:45-10:55 Snack
Snack Song done on carpet
Go to tables for snack
Story during Snack – Armadillo at Riverside Road by Laura Gates Galvin
10:55-11:58 Transition – put out instruments and dance/play to music
10:58-11:00 Armadillo Song by Susanne Cooper
(tune:Oh My Darling Clementine)
Armadillo has very tough skin (pat shoulders)
To keep her safe and sound (cross arms, like hug)
She rolls up tight when she’s in a fright (roll into ball)
And digs for bugs in the ground (dig)
11:00-11:10 Animal Visitor – armadillo
Animal Visitor Song
Animal Visitor Rules
(1) quiet!
(2) sit on bottoms in grownup’s lap or next to grownup – if can’t sit still then ok to be out of the circle, but absolutely no children in middle of circle
(3) pet with back side of hand (prevents grabbing). have them practice.
(4) after pet, wash hands with soap and water
(5) have fun!
11:10-11:30 Zoo Walk – to ARC. put armadillo in Russell’s outdoor area to watch Piglet/Frida run and dig
Zoo Walk Song
Little Learners Presents… Amazing Armadillos!
Armadillo Facts for Kids
• armadillos have tough skin
• some armadillos roll into a ball when they’re scared, others run away and hide
• armadillos have long claws for digging
• armadillos like to eat bugs
• some armadillos are good swimmers
Armadillo Facts for Grownups
• Armadillos are mammals. Their closest living relatives are sloths and anteaters. There are about 20 different species of armadillo, all found in the Americas. Only the nine-banded armadillo is found in the United States.
• The diet of different armadillo species varies, but consists mainly of insects, grubs, and other invertebrates, although some eat plants as well. A few species are almost entirely formicivorous (feeding mainly on ants).
• The three-banded armadillo is the only species of armadillo capable of completely enclosing themselves by rolling into a ball. All others simply withdraw arms and legs under the carapace.
• The nine-banded armadillo is the only species of armadillo that can swim. By inflating its stomach and intestines with air it is able to keep buoyant. It paddles in the water with only its snout and ears above water. It can cross small rivers by walking along the bottom, holding its breath for several seconds.
• The “shell” of the armadillo is made up of thin bone plates, known as scutes. The armadillo is the only mammal that has bone plates in its skin.
• The nine-banded armadillo nearly always gives birth to four identical pups, just as humans nearly always give birth to one child at a time. They form from the same egg, share the same placenta during development, and are all the same sex. This regular production of genetically identical offspring is known as “polyembryony”. Other types of armadillo, like the giant or six-banded armadillos, only produce one baby per fertilized egg.
Armadillo Song by Susanne Cooper
(tune: Oh My Darling Clementine)
Armadillo has very tough skin
To keep her safe and sound
She rolls up tight when she’s in a fright
And digs for insects in the ground
http://www.clker.com/clipart-26496.html
Little Learners Armadillo Craft