As the children prepare for Yom Ha’Atzmaut, they connect their learning to Cultural Studies by exploring the desert—just like the Negev Desert in Israel.

They talked about the hot temperatures, the bright sun and how it rarely rains. The children were fascinated to discover what grows there—like cactus plants, sand, rocks and dry bushes.

The children met some of the amazing animals that call the desert home: camels, snakes, roadrunners, eagles, meerkats and lizards. The children especially enjoyed learning fun facts, like how camels store water in their humps and how desert animals adapt to stay cool and safe.

In true Montessori fashion, they added hands-on desert-themed works to their shelves. For Mathematics, the children practiced counting with a special “Counting the Camels” activity, helping them strengthen their number skills while connecting to the desert theme.

They also imagined what they would wear if they visited the desert—such as hats, sunglasses, and light clothing to protect themselves from the sun.

To finish the week, they learned a lively desert animal song that quickly became a classroom favorite!