Materials
Black construction paper String
Masking tape Newspaper
Papier-mache recipe Brown paint
Paintbrushes Plastic collection bags
Flashlights Any items that might be found in a cave
Instructions
1. Send a note home explaining that the class is going pretend spelunking the next day and askthat each child bring a small flashlight and a pair of boots (labeled with names).
2. Make several bats from black construction paper using the pattern provided. Hang themfrom the ceiling in the area that you designate as the "cave." Secure with tape.
3. Make stalactites and stalagmites from papier-mache. Form cone shapes out of newspaper.Secure with masking tape. Dip narrow strips of newspaper into a thin mixture of flour andwater and wrap around the cones. Let dry. Paint a pale brown. Hang the "tites from the ceiling.Put the "mites on the floor.
4. Other things you can add to your cave: small rocks, fossils, non-spring clothespins paintedwhite for pretend bones, a fan blowing from a corner to make it cooler, a recording of waterdripping and bats screeching, pans or trays of dirt, sand and gravel.
5. Explain that spelunking is cave exploring. Some questions to ask: What might you find in acave? Would it be dark or light? Why? Do you think it would be warm or cold in a cave?What kind of equipment would you need to go spelunking (ropes, flashlights, warm clothes,boots, a plastic bag for collecting samples)? Would you move very fast or slow while you areexploring?6. Tell the children to go and get their gear for their trip to the cave. Each child should be givena plastic bag for collecting two samples from the cave.
7. Turn on the flashlights before entering the cave. Have the children explore freely. Talk aboutthe things they find.
8. After their explorations, bring the samples they found back to the classroom to show everyone.These samples will be treasured items!More to doArt: Mold playdough into cave shapes, stalagmites and bats.Movement: Pretend to be bats flying around the cave (with the lights on for safety). Make yourbody into the shape of a stalagmite. Shadow dance in the light of a flashlight.
