January—II

Over the past two weeks, our focus has been on exploring the continent of South America.

South America is represented as the pink continent on the Montessori map. We discussed how it is made up of many different countries, with Spanish being the primary language spoken in most of them. We explored traditional dolls, learning about the bright colors and intricate patterns used in their clothing, which reflect the region’s rich cultural heritage.

We discovered that potatoes, originally from Peru, come in an astonishing variety of over 4,000 types! To deepen our understanding, we explored six different kinds of potatoes, observing their unique characteristics. We then cooked and tasted them, comparing their flavors and textures.

We also learned about alpacas and llamas, noting their key differences. Llamas are larger and have longer faces, while alpacas are smaller and have fluffier faces. An interesting fact we uncovered is that llamas spit when annoyed, and their spit has a strong odor that can linger for an entire day! People often decorate their llamas or alpacas with vibrant flowers or colorful fabrics around their necks and backs, making them even more unique and festive. Inspired by this, we created an art project based on these beautifully adorned animals, celebrating the traditions and beauty of South America.

Thanks to Kelly, Cedar’s mom, for sharing her remarkable experience of a one-year backpacking journey through South America. Her adventure began on the western coast of Colombia and continued along the coastline before venturing into Brazil’s Amazon region. She highlighted some unforgettable moments from her journey:

Colombia: Swimming in a mud volcano and marveling at giant avocados the size of small watermelons. She also had the chance to taste alfajores, a popular sweet cookie filled with dulce de leche or caramel.
Galapagos Islands: Encountering unique wildlife, including blue-footed boobies, sea lions, crabs, and tortoises.
Ecuador: Visiting the Middle of the World and standing with one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and the other in the Southern Hemisphere.
Peru: Exploring the majestic Incan citadel of Machu Picchu, nestled high in the Andes Mountains, and visiting the fascinating floating islands made entirely of reeds on Lake Titicaca.
Bolivia: Experiencing La Paz, the world’s highest capital city.
Chile: Discovering the country’s diverse climate zones—from the desert in the north to Antarctic-like conditions in the south—and learning about Chile’s role as a major kiwifruit producer.
Argentina: Visiting “The Pink House,” the official workplace of the President of Argentina.
Brazil: Encountering the Amazon River, where it converges with many rivers flowing from the Peruvian Andes. Kelly shared a photo of herself and a friend leaning over on a boat to avoid low-hanging branches dipping into the water.

Our journey through South America brought us to the most exotic and vibrant place of all—the Amazon rainforest. We were amazed to learn that its tallest trees can reach the heights of a 10-story building! This fascinating fact set the stage for exploring the rainforest’s four distinct layers: the forest floor, understory, canopy, and emergent layer. One highlight was the stunning blue morpho butterflies, as large as an adult hand and surprisingly poisonous. Inspired by their beauty, we created our own blue morpho butterflies using oil pastels and paints, bringing a touch of the rainforest into our work.