Educators

River Adventures features a variety of exhibit components, including Waterway Play, Nature’s Pond (toddler area), and Rainforest Rhythm (rotating exhibit space).

Here are a few sample exhibit goals and educational objectives related to specific exhibit components that educators can take advantage of:

Waterway Play (River)

Exhibit Goal: Demonstrate the importance of water play in play-based learning.

Educational Objectives:

• Broad Focal Experience:  Math and  Science
• Specific Learning Concepts: Sink vs. float, measuring volume, cause and effect, one-to-one correspondence, operating simple tools and machines, interpret environmental data, problem solve, critical thinking & reasoning, initiate curiosity
• Learning Modality as it relates to Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences:  Visual Spatial, Verbal Linguistic, Mathematical Logical, Body Kinesthetic, Naturalist

In-museum and classroom activities associated with this exhibit:

Read: The Toy Boat by Randall de Seve, illustrated by Loren Long

Take the Museum Art Journey: Find Eurhi Jones, A Walk Through the Pennsylvania Forest, a Philadelphia Mural Arts mural; Leo Sewell’s Artie the Elephant

In-Classroom: Paint with watercolors and observe the effect water has on color

Make an easy and fun instrument with a few glasses and some water. Fill the clear glasses with different amounts of water. For extra visual effect, add in drops of food coloring to each glass.  This is a great way to teach students about creating color combinations and the science of sound.  For an easy tune, try “Mary Had A Little Lamb”- you only need 3 glasses!

Pretend Play: Boat captain, boat/bridge builder, explorer

Rainforest Rhythm

Exhibit Goal:  Incorporate music into family, play based learning and encourages music in everyday aspects of life.

Educational Objectives:

• Broad Focal Experience:  Music, science, social studies, math
• Specific Learning Concepts:  Dramatic play, communication, social skills, pre-reading skills, counting, rhythm, music terminology (fast, slow, etc.), listening skills, self expression through music an movement, develop appreciation of sounds
• Learning Modality as it relates to Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences:  Visual Spatial, Verbal Linguistic, Mathematical Logical, Intrapersonal & Interpersonal, Naturalistic, Bodily Kinetic, Music

In-museum and classroom activities associated with this exhibit:

Read: Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Take the Museum Art Journey: Look for James Dupree’s Totems

In-Classroom: Create and decorate your own instruments

Have a drum circle: Use school hand drums, your legs, your desk or the floor.