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Week 26 · Mar 8–Mar 12, 2027
Habitats & Forest School
Illustrated film
Tiny on a leaf
Bugs are small. Look closer. Count the spots if you can.
Morning outing
Houston Zoo
Hermann ParkOutdoorTimed / ticketed
Open Friday 9 am – 5 pm.
Last entry is one hour before closing. From Nov 11, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027 the zoo closes at 4 pm. Buy timed tickets online before you go.
Regular hours, checked Nov 11. Holidays and special events differ. Confirm before you go
Tell
At the zoo, your child picks one animal and explains the home it needs. Record 30 to 60 seconds.
- 1Your child chooses the week’s favorite discovery.
- 2Record a 30–60 second explanation — phone voice memo is fine.
- 3Celebrate the telling, not the polish.
Pick two animals, not twelve. Children’s Zoo and birds are the gentlest morning loop.
Outing bag
0/5
Houston Zoo · tell kit. Use supplies already at home; follow the venue’s rules.
If useful
Afternoon · nanny guide
Set out one activity at a time. Shorten or stop when the child needs rest.
Quiet
15–20 minchild chooses 3 quiet options.
Set out: child chooses 3 quiet options. · A comfortable quiet spot
- Set out the quiet choices before lunch ends. Invite the child to choose one; keep the other choices nearby.
- Demonstrate just the first puzzle piece, lacing hole, or pattern. Stay nearby and let the child continue without correcting the result.
- Offer a familiar book if frustration grows. Give a two-minute warning before putting the materials in their basket together.
Try saying: “Would you like help getting started, or would you like to try?”
Circle
10–15 minRead & explore decode/retell
Set out: Outside In · The One and Only Ivan · Paper · Crayon
- Read Outside In together for about five minutes. Stop at one illustration and connect it to something seen at Houston Zoo.
- Use two illustrations to retell the story. Model ‘First…’ and invite the child to finish ‘Then…’. If that is hard, offer a choice between two pictures and tell it together.
- Read a short passage from The One and Only Ivan for 3–5 minutes, stopping at a natural break. If attention fades, switch back to looking at pictures. Mark the place for tomorrow.
Try saying: “What do you notice in this picture that reminds you of our outing?”
After Circle · clap three words
2–3 minutes with the nanny. Listen to each word, clap its parts together, and choose the number. Then return to the day’s Studio activity.
Studio
15–20 minFinish & share
Set out: 1 Box lid · 6 Large blocks · 3 pieces Fabric or paper · 1 set Crayons · 1 roll Paper tape · 1 pair Adult scissors · 1 Work tray or table cover
- Explain how the habitat helps the animal and photograph it before putting pieces away.
- Show one small step, then let the child try. Offer help with joining or holding pieces; accept the child's version.
- Write one exact sentence the child says about the work and share it with the family.
Try saying: “What would you like to try or change next?”
Late day
10 min together, then 30–45 min playSnack, movement & free play
Set out: Usual family-approved snack · Water · One familiar song · Open-ended toys
- Wash hands and sit together for snack and water. Follow the family’s food and rest routines.
- Play a familiar song. Spend two minutes clapping its beat, then move slowly and quickly with the music. Pause it for a freeze game; let the child lead a turn.
- Offer two play choices, such as blocks or pretend play. Stay available while the child directs the play, without adding another lesson.
- Give a five-minute transition warning. Tidy one small area together and tell the parents one specific discovery from today.
Try saying: “Would you like to build or pretend? You can choose how the story goes.”
Books today
After lunch, offer two books and let the child choose. During Circle, revisit one favorite illustration and ask what happened first and next.
- Outside In — Deborah Underwood
- The Hike — Alison Farrell
- Wonder Walkers — Micha Archer
- The Listening Walk — Paul Showers
Chapter read-aloud: The One and Only Ivan. Read for 3–5 minutes and bookmark the stopping point.
Full basketMusic
Beethoven Pastoral + rainforest sounds. Play in the car 2-3 times; one 5-minute listening session; one instrument/movement session.
- Choose one familiar song from this week’s music. Listen once at a comfortable volume.
- Replay it and clap the beat together. Invite the child to choose a movement for the chorus.
- Pause for a freeze game, then let the child lead. Finish after 5–10 minutes while it is still fun.
Nanny note
Write the day the way it happened. Parents read it in the journal.
- 1.
Parents · Week 26
Procure books & supplies
Habitats & Forest School
- 1–2 weeks ahead: choose 2–4 books to borrow or order. Check home for project supplies, procure missing items, and arrange any tickets or reservations.
- Before the week starts: mark books and materials as ready when they are available. Tell the nanny where to find them and what is still missing.
- During the week: respond to the nanny’s requests for missing supplies or replacements.
Parents · procure for the project
loose-parts habitat
Buy, borrow, or find the materials below before the week starts. Make them available to the nanny; the nanny prepares the pieces and leads the project.
Gather for one child
0/7 readyCheck home first. Quantities cover this project; substitutes are fine.
Gather at home
Books to borrow or order
Start with 2–4 picture books from this basket. Borrow from your library, reuse favorites, or order ahead. You do not need to buy all 15.
Amazon links search by title and author. Check the edition, format, seller and delivery date there before ordering.
- Amazon
- Amazon
- Amazon
- Amazon
- Amazon
- Amazon
- Amazon
- Amazon
- Amazon
- Amazon
- Amazon
- Amazon
- Amazon
- Amazon
- Amazon
Chapter read-aloud: The One and Only Ivan
Find chapter book on AmazonNanny · Week 26
Prepare & lead the week
- Before the first session: check the materials, do the cutting, folding or assembly below, and set up the project bin during your workday.
- Each day: check weather and venue plans, pack the outing bag, set out books and music, and follow the daily nanny guide.
- After the activity: clean up, save unfinished work, and share one observation or supply request with the parents.
Nanny · prepare and lead
loose-parts habitat
Use the books and materials the parents have provided. During your workday, prepare the pieces, set up the space, lead the sessions, and put the work away. Tell the parents if anything is missing.
Nanny setup · before the first session
- Choose large pieces without sharp edges and a tray that can stay out for the week.
- Nanny: allow 15–20 minutes during your workday for setup before the first project session. Set aside three 15–20 minute making sessions; stop earlier if the child is ready.
Monday · 15–20 min
Start the project
- Choose a pretend animal and arrange a shelter with blocks.
- Show one small step, then let the child try. Offer help with joining or holding pieces; accept the child's version.
- Put the work and remaining materials together on the project tray for the next session.
Thursday · 15–20 min
Build on it
- Add a paper water source and a resting place; change the layout while telling a story.
- Show one small step, then let the child try. Offer help with joining or holding pieces; accept the child's version.
- Put the work and remaining materials together on the project tray for the next session.
Friday · 15–20 min
Finish & share
- Explain how the habitat helps the animal and photograph it before putting pieces away.
- Show one small step, then let the child try. Offer help with joining or holding pieces; accept the child's version.
- Write one exact sentence the child says about the work and share it with the family.
Keep for next time: Keep the project on a named tray, out of reach between sessions. Leave wet work flat to dry. Return reusable tools to the shelf after Friday.
Friday nanny note
A few lines for the parents. Nothing fancy.