Brazil

Maintaining sanity this summer with our quarantine “travel adventure.” The planner in me enjoys having a project to focus on and get excited about. This week we learned about Brazil. It was an extra treat to have our neighbor Ana, who is Brazilian, come teach about folklore and show us indigenous artwork. 

Books: 

Magic Tree House - Afternoon on the Amazon 

Where is the Amazon - mostly reference for you. For older kids. 

Picture books - The Umbrella and We’re Roaming in the Rainforest

The Amazon River

Eyewitness The Amazon- good for going deeper about animals, native people and the forest

Monday: Brazil Overview

Brazil presentation with globe -https://www.natgeokids.com/za/discover/geography/countries/country-fact-file-brazil/  

Brazil video https://youtu.be/fEG-8R5YfY0 

Make passports

Make Brazil fast fact book

Mimi present Atlas 

Tuesday: Folklore

Ana present Brazil folklore

Art - Indigenous tribe necklace with birdseed and toothpicks

Wednesday: Amazon

Amazon video- https://youtu.be/EbVAhNVz4U8 

Art - Snake finger puppets (https://mrprintables.com/snake-finger-puppets/) 

Lego amazon animals

Amazon animal coloring sheet

Thursday: Carnival

Carnival 

Christ the Redeamor Statue - https://youtu.be/WvZpgvoXB1M 

Carnival mask making (https://happybrownhouse.com/paper-plate-carnival-masks/#_a5y_p=4916544)

Coffee filter dancers (https://www.hellowonderful.co/post/MAKE-COFFEE-FILTER-DANCERS/)

Friday: Art and Music

Song - o Sapo nao lava o pe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrxjmULA9Ug 

Artist - Tarsila do Amaral - mother of Brazil’s modern art movement https://youtu.be/9prEjZUG63Y

Summer Travel Adventure

With the help of my Mom, I'm working on a "Summer Travel Adventure" program for the kids. Camps are all cancelled and there isn't much we can do besides play outside. We are learning about a new country each week. We will talk about culture, geography, food, crafts, art, language, etc. We always do better with a little structure to our day, so having a summer program like this will be a big help. Planning these daily activities and lessons help my own sanity during these long days at home with the kids. Our passports are ready...here we go!

Watercolor therapy

I’ve been doing some art with the kids and pulled out my old water colors. It was very therapeutic to create. It provided an escape and release. 

Miles had the idea of doing a watercolor together. We sat and shared deep thoughts and felt very connected. I love my introspective kid. 

Hidden fort in the woods

We have started creating a secret fort in the woods. The kids are in kid heaven. So far, we have just raked and marked with stones, but big plans are being made. These moments make the slowing down of COVID life feel doable and memorable. Miles said it was the best day of his life. It’s good to remember that kids just want attention and love and nature. 

Farm Escape

We finally got out of the neighborhood! We drove out to Dr. Baltz’s farm. We got to collect eggs, fish, roam free, and have a picnic lunch by the pond. The kids were dirty and happy.