Learn how tides work, how they affect our coastline, and how animals in the tidal zone have adapted to this harsh and ever-changing habitat. Finally, discover adaptations of tidepool animals through guided imagery, brainstorming, and interacting with the animals in the Academy's touch tidepool. Using materials such as flour tortillas, cheese, clay, sand, dirt, tooth picks, paper plates, and pipe cleaners, make models of California's important geologic plates, fault zones, and ancient volcanic areas. With these models, replay the movement of the San Andreas Fault during the 1906 earthquake. Then, demonstrate how Mono Lake basin formed, and how the Cascade Mountains' volcanic activity helped shape areas such as Mt. Lassen and Mt. Shasta.
Earthquakes are part and parcel of California life.
Venture forth to the California section of Strybing Arboretum, in Golden Gate Park. Learn the names of the wildflowers and their preferred habitats, along with botanical terms describing flower parts. Return to the classroom to share, re-copy, and illustrate your poetry. Far from being slimy, snakes are covered with smooth, dry scales that contain the same protein found in human fingernails. Snakes have amazing adaptations for feeding, locomotion, and defense.