Amazon River Adventure with Ashley!

Get Ready, Explorer Ashley! Here's what you'll need for our expedition:

A shoebox or small cardboard box (your river scene!)
Blue paper or blue paint (for the mighty Amazon River)
Green paper or real leaves (for the lush rainforest)
Brown paper or playdough (for riverbanks and trees)
Pictures or small toy figures of Amazon animals (or you can draw/make your own! Think piranhas, monkeys, anacondas, pink river dolphins, colorful birds)
Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
Scissors (with grown-up help if needed)
Glue or tape
Optional: A tablet or computer to look up pictures/videos of the Amazon

Part 1: Welcome to the Amazon! (10 minutes)

Hi Ashley! Imagine we're taking a special boat trip deep into the biggest rainforest in the world, along one of the longest rivers on Earth – the Amazon River! It's a magical place filled with amazing creatures and incredible plants. What do you think we might see there? (Pause for Ashley's ideas).

The Amazon River is super important. It's like a giant highway for water, animals, and even people! It flows through a huge rainforest, which is like the lungs of our planet because it produces so much oxygen we breathe.

Part 2: Meet the Amazon All-Stars! (15 minutes)

Let's learn about some of the coolest animals that call the Amazon River home. We can look at pictures or watch short, fun videos (if available).

Pink River Dolphin: Did you know there are dolphins that are PINK? They are very friendly and curious.
Piranha: These fish have super sharp teeth! But don't worry, they mostly eat other fish, not explorers like us!
Anaconda: One of the biggest snakes in the world! They are excellent swimmers.
Capybara: The world's largest rodent! They look like giant guinea pigs and love to swim.
Poison Dart Frog: Tiny but so colorful! Their bright colors warn predators that they are poisonous.
Macaw: Big, bright, and noisy parrots! They fly through the rainforest canopy.

Can you pick three favorite animals from the Amazon that you find extra interesting?

Part 3: Create Your Own Amazon! (25-30 minutes)

Now it's your turn to be an Amazon artist and scientist! We're going to create our own mini Amazon River scene. This is where you get to show off what you've learned and use your imagination!

Set up your river: If you have a shoebox, lay it on its side. Use blue paper or paint the bottom of the box to create the river.
Add the rainforest: Use green paper to make trees and plants along the sides of your river. You can cut out leaf shapes or scrunch up green paper. You can use brown paper or playdough for tree trunks and the riverbank.
Bring in the animals: Now, add your favorite Amazon animals! You can use toy figures, draw and cut out your own, or even sculpt them from playdough. Try to include at least three different animals you learned about. Think about where they would live – in the water, on the banks, or in the trees.
Explorer's touch: Add any other details you like! Maybe some flowers, rocks, or even a little explorer boat for yourself!

As you build, think about: What does each animal need to live in its Amazon home?

Part 4: Show and Tell Our Discoveries! (5-10 minutes)

Wow, Ashley, your Amazon River scene looks amazing! Can you tell me about it?

Which three animals did you choose to include in your Amazon?
Can you tell me one cool fact about one of them?
Why do you think the Amazon River is an important place?

You did a fantastic job being an Amazon Explorer today! You learned about amazing animals and even built your own piece of the rainforest. The Amazon is a precious place, and it's wonderful that you're curious about it!

Explorer's Bonus Challenge (Optional):

Draw a picture of your very own, newly discovered Amazon creature. What does it eat? Where does it live?
Write a short story about an adventure you have while exploring the Amazon River.