Safari Exploration Center

Materials

1. Brown and green bulletin board paper
2. Variety of stuffed jungle animals
3. Plastic bugs
4. Large appliance box
5. Craft knife (adult only)
6. Chairs
7. Steering wheel
8. Cassette player and rainforest sounds tape
9. Safari hats
10. Binoculars
11. Magnifying glasses
12. Bug containers with tweezers
13. Real or pretend cameras

Instructions

1. If possible, set up this center next to a large window.
2. Twist brown bulletin board paper to resemble vines, and cut out large leaves from green bulletin board paper. Attach the vines and leaves to the ceiling and walls.
3. Put stuffed animals and plastic bugs around the "jungle" and hang some from the ceiling. If desired, place some of the bugs in the bushes outside the window.
4. Cut off one side of a large box and cut doors in two sides to make a safari "jeep." Place chairs and a steering wheel inside the jeep.
5. Turn on a tape or CD of "rainforest sounds."
6. Encourage the children to put on safari hats and become explorers in the center. They can use binoculars or magnifying glasses to look at the "jungle creatures." Children can "capture" some bugs and put them in bug containers to examine them more closely.
7. If desired, provide a camera (or pretend camera) for children to photograph the jungle.
8. Sit back and watch and listen to their imaginations unfold as they explore their safari center.

Instructions

1. Sometimes children's books have pictures in the back that review the whole
book. The Trek by Ann Jonas has these pictures.
2. Make a copy of the animals on the back two pages and enlarge them. Mount
them on the oak tag or poster board using a glue stick.
3. Laminate for durability and cut out.
4. This is a very easy poster to make; the names of the animals and the title are
already included on the pictures.
5. Read the book to the children and display it along with the poster.
6. Let the children visit this area in pairs or small groups. As they turn the
pages, they can use the poster as a reference tool to name the animals
hidden in the illustrations of the book.