Tactile Geography

The class creates major rivers and mountain ranges throughout the U.S. during a tactile geography lesson. First they locate physical maps in their textbooks, then shape the topographical features with hands and fingers. The last step is to label each one with tiny sticky notes.

Batiste admires his creation while searching for more mountains and rivers inside the container.

Aley is thrilled to be finished.

When it comes to geography (and most other things), Carl keeps a poker face.

Lincoln's Rocky Mountains are curiously uniform.

Is Madison eating part of the Mississippi?

Maya's Hershey's Kiss-like Rockies are similar to Lincoln's, but look closely and you'll notice that they're different than the Appalachian Mountains. Maya knows why (Appalachian Mountains are older and more weathered).

The Seven Continents (a day of pure joy)

This year's field day theme was the seven continents. Each activity began with a brief geographical or historical lesson about a specific continent.

After getting soaked, the class had a chance to dry off while getting creative with sidewalk chalk.

Soren's Tardis was extra large.

Once in Europe, the class learned about Germany's renowned Autobahn, then raced back and forth at frenetic speeds.

Was there an impaired driver on the road?

Pierce preferred the outdoors.

In Asia, the class attempted to conserve water like camels.

In Antarctica, leopard seals preyed upon surprisingly agile penguins.

The morning began with an introduction to France's gift to the United States.

Can you determine what the gift was?

In South America, groups cooperated to catch piranhas in the Amazon (while trying not to lose fingers).

It didn't take long for groups to develop unique strategies.

Australian kangaroos hopped (and sometimes stumbled) back and forth.

The kids prepared for next month's World Cup in Brazil with a challenging game of crab soccer.

African elephants filled their trunks, then sprayed water into bowls (and faces).