There’s a lot of ‘A’ fun to be had in California, or anywhere on this big planet for that matter! We currently have the opportunity of holding annual passes this year at the Huntington Gardens in Pasadena, and before the passes expire, we’re finding ANY reason to make the 45-minute drive as much as possible.
Every time I pass the entrance sign, I feel like a little kid entering Disneyland. I love this place!
The Australian Garden is located in the far corner of the park, and since we seldom make it there during our visits, we decided THIS was the week to make the trek. I felt a little “clip art happy” the night before, and pieced together a simple page with pictures of native Australian plants for them to find and sketch while at the garden. They were searching for bottle brushes, kangaroo paw, eucalyptus trees, and acacia trees.
*It would be just as good to give kids a blank piece of paper with pencils for them to sketch and label whatever they see.
Charting the course with maps is a MUST!Over the bridges and through the reeds to Australian Gardens we go.And the green grass grew all around, all around; and the green grass grew all around. (Forgive me, I can easily break into song here. Ha!)Almost there! Time to pull out the chart!Oop! She’s found the Australian bottle brushes!Now she has found the eucalyptus leaves!The older kids couldn’t resist joining the younger in their ‘A’ studies for the day. Here they all sit, right in the middle of the Australian Gardens, looking over what they have yet to find on their scavenger hunt.One little lady is putting her beginner’s writing skills to use. (This also shows the backside of the chart.)And look what they found–an ant hill! A double-win for ‘A’ week: ants in the Australian Gardens!Of course, everyone wanted an up-close-and-personal view of the ant activity!And on their way out, they had to pass the Japanese Gardens for a quick leaf-boat race down the stream. It was also a good place to inspect tadpoles.One quick glance at this beautiful place before saying goodbye. Until next time, beautiful Huntington!
Today’s ‘A’ lesson included a look at the plants of Australia and a chance observation of busy ants! It was an engaging way to incorporate all the senses (except taste…no eating the plants!). What an overall success!
