Austin Children's Garden
an early childhood learning community in austin tx
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Contact
    • Open House
    • In The Press
  • Preschool
  • Homeschool
  • Kids Night Out
  • Enrollment & Waitlist
  • Blog

Amazing Geology!

4/29/2019

0 Comments

 
We started off this unit of exploring the wonders of the earth with some edible geology projects! Turns out that chocolate is quite an inspiring medium to ignite curiosity!

Chocolate Earth Balls

Picture
​Ingredients: 
  • 1 cup unsweetened sunflower seed butter
  • 1/4 cup raw wildflower honey
  • 2 teaspoons raw cacao powder
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut, divided
  • 1/2 cup stevia sweetened chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup hemp seeds
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped sprouted walnuts

Method: 
​
Mix sunflower seed butter, honey and cocoa in a medium bowl until well combined. Stir in the raisins and 2 tablespoons of the coconut. Stir in chocolate chips. Refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.

Place remaining coconut, hemp seeds and nuts into 3 separate bowls. Using a spoon, scoop small heaps of the mixture from the bowl; roll into 1 1/4-inch balls. Roll each finished ball in more coconut, hemp seeds and chopped nuts. Arrange the balls on a plate, cover loosely and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

Conglomerate Cookies

Conglomerates are common sedimentary rocks made from different shapes and sizes of smaller rocks. We made some edible conglomerates with chocolate chips, oats, puffed rice, gluten fee pretzels and honey!
Picture
To make these tasty treats combine:

2 cups oats
1 cup puffed rice cereal
1/2 cup pretzels (chopped up)
1/4 cup chocolate chips
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup honey
​1 tsp vanilla

Mix thoroughly and heat mixture on stove while stirring for 5 to 10 minutes. Scoop mixture into a baking dish. Pack it down with a spoon so it is even and refrigerate for 30 minutes, then remove and cut into squares or rectangles.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

Cocoa Crust

We used classic hot cocoa ingredients to show how the earth's crust moves due to the heat from inside the planet. After the experiment we added a little honey and enjoyed some tasty hot chocolate!
Picture
Picture
Picture

Chocolate Excavation

To explore how geologists find fossils in the earth we looked for 'fossils' in chocolate bars with nuts.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

Earth Pigments

Ancient humans made their own paints from rocks and we did too! We made paints from ochre, chalk, and black earth to create these rich and textured paintings.
Picture
"I like to paint with both hands!"
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

Earth Caretakers

Folks are always remarking how abundant and fertile our gardens are. We believe that the soil responds to the gentle care the children give with happy and healthy plants!
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

Magical Magnetism

Exploring and playing with magnets helps give an intrinsic understanding of the North and South Poles. And magnets are fun! These facial expressions are priceless :)
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Hematite Sculptures!
Picture
Picture
Tegu Magnets!
Picture
Picture
Magna-Tiles!
Picture

Exploring Rocks, Fossils, and Crystals

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

Sorting Fossils and Rocks

Picture
Picture

DIY Fossils

We learned how most plant fossils are simply an impression of the original plant - not the actual plant. We started with pressing plants onto clay, then tried shells and small toy dinosaurs to explore more varieties of fossils.
Picture
Picture
It's fun to play 'Match the Fossil' too!
Picture
Picture

Rock Puzzles

Can you put these rocks back together?
Picture
Picture
Picture
Rock puzzles are easy to make! The (older) kids loved using real tools to break open rocks.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

Earth Book

To learn more about our magnificent planet we loved reading The Earth Book by Todd Parr.
Picture

Land and Water

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

Earth Model

Picture

Earth Watercolors

Picture
Picture
Picture

Earth Yoga

Volcano Pose!
Picture
Picture

Earth Music

Singing 'Our Roots Go Down Into the Ground' and drumming the earth with our hands!
Picture

Earth Art with Recycled Materials

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

Fun Math Activities

Sculpting Geometry
Picture
Picture
Picture
Counting Money
Picture
Designing Tangrams
Picture

Crafting Together

Picture
Picture
Picture

Exploring Primary and Secondary Colors

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

Spring Flowers

Picture

See you next time!

Picture
0 Comments

    The intention of this blog is to include the community in our learning process and to inspire families to engage in fun and healthy activities together!

    Archives

    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly