Little Learners (1.5 -3.

5 years with accompanying adult)

Armadillo Lesson Plan

10:00-10:10 Free Exploration

10:10-10:16 Circle Time

Sing Little Learners Circle song

Armadillo Facts – show pictures

• armadillos have tough skin
• some armadillos roll into a ball when they’re scared, others run away and
hide
• armadillos have long claws for digging
• armadillos are super sniffers
• armadillos like to eat bugs and drink water
• some armadillos are good swimmers
• baby armadillos drink milk

10:16-10:20 Armadillo Stretches

• stretch up like you’re a sniffing armadillo
• scrunch up small like rolled up armadillo
• dig
• “swim”
• jump like scared armadillo
• run & stop

show craft to circle, explain what they’ll be doing, invite them to tables

10:20-10:35 Craft – Roll Up Armadillo – see last page for template

• pass out armadillos on messy trays
• pass out brown & yellow paint in bowls (just a dab – they can always ask
for more)
• pass out brush rings but point out that they’re more than welcome to use
their fingers (it’s good so they don’t get aversion to diff. tactile things,
blah blah blah)
• pass out paper towels to dab armadillos dry
• pass out brads to adults so kids don’t decide to swallow them or stick
them up their noses
• ask kids to help clean up by brining you their trays, paint, and crayons;
then invite them to the carpet for some pretend play

10:35-10:45 Pretend Play

• before they get there, try to put out gossamer and hide bugs inside
• have kids “dig” for bugs to feed their armadillos
• occasionally tell them to roll up into ball or run and hide
• can have them “dig” their armadillos a tunnel and hide them in gossamer
• collect bugs & gossamer
10:45-10:55 Snack
Snack Song done on carpet
Go to tables for snack

Story during Snack – Armadillo at Riverside Road by Laura Gates Galvin

10:55-11:58 Transition – put out instruments and dance/play to music

10:58-11:00 Armadillo Song by Susanne Cooper

(tune:Oh My Darling Clementine)
Armadillo has very tough skin (pat shoulders)
To keep her safe and sound (cross arms, like hug)
She rolls up tight when she’s in a fright (roll into ball)
And digs for bugs in the ground (dig)

11:00-11:10 Animal Visitor – armadillo

Animal Visitor Song

Animal Visitor Rules

(1) quiet!
(2) sit on bottoms in grownup’s lap or next to grownup – if can’t sit still
then ok to be out of the circle, but absolutely no children in middle of
circle
(3) pet with back side of hand (prevents grabbing). have them practice.
(4) after pet, wash hands with soap and water
(5) have fun!

11:10-11:30 Zoo Walk – to ARC. put armadillo in Russell’s outdoor area to watch
Piglet/Frida run and dig

Zoo Walk Song

Little Learners Presents… Amazing Armadillos!

Armadillo Facts for Kids

• armadillos have tough skin
• some armadillos roll into a ball when they’re scared, others run away and hide
• armadillos have long claws for digging
• armadillos like to eat bugs
• some armadillos are good swimmers

Armadillo Facts for Grownups

• Armadillos are mammals. Their closest living relatives are sloths and anteaters. There are
about 20 different species of armadillo, all found in the Americas. Only the nine-banded
armadillo is found in the United States.

• The diet of different armadillo species varies, but consists mainly of insects, grubs, and other
invertebrates, although some eat plants as well. A few species are almost entirely
formicivorous (feeding mainly on ants).

• The three-banded armadillo is the only species of armadillo capable of completely enclosing
themselves by rolling into a ball. All others simply withdraw arms and legs under the
carapace.

• The nine-banded armadillo is the only species of armadillo that can swim. By inflating its
stomach and intestines with air it is able to keep buoyant. It paddles in the water with only its
snout and ears above water. It can cross small rivers by walking along the bottom, holding its
breath for several seconds.

• The “shell” of the armadillo is made up of thin bone plates, known as scutes. The armadillo is
the only mammal that has bone plates in its skin.

• The nine-banded armadillo nearly always gives birth to four identical pups, just as humans
nearly always give birth to one child at a time. They form from the same egg, share the same
placenta during development, and are all the same sex. This regular production of genetically
identical offspring is known as “polyembryony”. Other types of armadillo, like the giant or six-
banded armadillos, only produce one baby per fertilized egg.

Armadillo Song
by Susanne Cooper
(tune: Oh My Darling Clementine)
Armadillo has very tough skin
To keep her safe and sound
She rolls up tight when she’s in a fright
And digs for insects in the ground
http://www.clker.com/clipart-26496.html
Little Learners Armadillo Craft