Monday, January 2, 2012

Penguin Expedition Antarctica


This is my dramatic play area for the month, A Penguin Expedition in Antarctica.

Of course I know it is unrealistic to camp out in Antarctica, but it is the closest thing I can think of to the camps.  We will discuss how in Antarctica there are no cities just the the camps the scientists live in.

I read the children the story:

This little penguin finds a camp where the scientists are...... it is so cute.  


We will also talk about how we are scientists too and we are on an expedition to learn and help the penguins not hurt and hunt the penguins.

Inside the camp is a net and basket in case the children find a hurt penguin..... I also have some fisher price doctor  toys so that the children can play veterinarian and help nurse the penguins back to good health.


There are some camping lanterns as well for light.  Also there are clipboards for the scientists to record their findings about the penguins........ I print out a couple of these pages and then use contact paper to cover the clipboards.  The children use washable markers to write on top of the clipboards and baby wipes to clean the clipboards.  This way we do not waste a lot of paper.  

Please don't forget to say thank you :)

There are a variety of penguins in the classroom for the children to find and help.

Tomorrow I will be making the following campfire I found on Pinterest:

On my wishlist for the center ...... some day I will find some coats on sale for the center.

Things in the center:
  • binoculars to search for penguins
  • a compass to find your way
  • water bottles......because where else will you get water
  • a little camping stove
  • some camping dishes and pots and pans
  • some plastic food
  • a fisher price doctor kit
  • two scientist clipboards
  • net to catch penguins
  • basket to carry penguins in

If you have more ideas and suggestions ...... please share  :)  Sue


7 comments:

  1. What a wonderful set up!

    Maybe you could let the children wear their mittens/ hats/ scarves while out and about in the cold? :)

    An old camera could be a fun prop to document the penguins!

    Learning New Words

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  2. I love your camp! Do you teach bridges math by chance? We go to Antarctica every year with that curriculum. You definitely kicked it up a notch! There are you tube videos of arriving into Antarctica too!

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  3. I love this! What a neat idea. I bet the students love observing the penguins and pretending to camp in Antarctica.
    Keen on Kindergarten

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  4. Super cute play area!Thanks for sharing.

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  5. What cute activities. I am glad I found you site and I now follow you!

    Come see me!
    ~Jeannie~
    www.kindergartenlifestyle.blogspot.com

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  6. WOW!! I love this so much - thank you for posting it. I'm doing Gingerbread Man and Snowmen this month but Penguins is on my list for next January.
    Gotta pin this!!

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