EDUCATION
DIVISION
ROCKS, PAPER, FEATHERS
Winter 2006
BURKE MUSEUM EDUCATION NEWSLETTER FOR EDUCATORS, KIDS, AND PARENTS IN WASHINGTON STATE
GROWING BIODIVERSITY PROGRAMS JOIN US!
Connecting our young learners with the natural world is
the focus for two new biodiversity tours at the Burke Toi Maori:
Museum.
The Eternal Thread
"A long, long time ago, there were tiny, tiny seeds lying on the Feb. 4 – May 29, 2006
ground." So begins the tale of an old-growth forest. Picture 20
kindergarteners curled up on the carpet in the Burke’s Biodiversity The Burke is excited to announce its
Lab, imitating seeds as they soak up moisture, send out roots, and newest exhibit, Toi Maori: The Eternal
grow tall. Thread. This amazing exhibition from
New Zealand features the traditional
Designed for students from preschool to first grade, “Growing and contemporary art of Maori weaving.
with Nature” keeps early learners active and engaged. The tour
includes a show-touch-and-tell of specimens from the Burke’s “This exhibition reflects the history and
biological collections; acting out the story of an old-growth forest; the evolution of the Maori people from
investigating the forest diorama for characters from the story; the first ray of light that separates the
drawing and coloring plants and animals that grow; and reading a earth and the sky, to the strands that
picture book on baby and parent animals. weave us into the lives and cultures of
the world.”
For students in grades two through five, another new Discovery Helen Kedgley,
Tour introduces learners to the variety of life in Washington state. Curator of Contemporary Art
“Biodiversity” is a hands-on tour in which students learn why Pataka Museum of Arts and Culture
differences are important in the natural world. Students examine
differences in seashells, bird eggs, leaves, and more using a
system called a dichotomous key. They also complete a worksheet
TOURS!
on biodiversity concepts. For example, at the insect display
The Burke Education Division is offering
students are prompted to identify differences between species; at
hands-on “Discovery Tours” and guided
the forest diorama, they must think about interactions between
tours designed to complement this
plants and animals.
exciting new exhibit.
The Burke Museum is already welcoming school groups for these
tours. Our aim is to help guide younger students toward a broader WORKSHOP!
appreciation and understanding of the natural world. The last line of Mon., Feb. 6, 2006
our old-growth forest story, with the students standing tall as big 4–8 pm
trees, paints a fitting picture: “The big trees looked down once
more. There in the soil were the seeds for the next forest of old, big Join the Burke and Seattle International
trees.” Children’s Festival for a Maori Arts
Teachers’ Workshop. This is a special
For further information or to schedule one of the biodiversity tours, opportunity to learn directly from visiting
please contact the Burke Education Office at 206-543-5591 or Maori artists; preview the exhibit; and
burked@u.washington.edu. take home ideas for classroom
activities, resources, and tour programs.
Washington State Biodiversity WEBHUNT For more information or to
register call 206-543-9681, or
1) How many species of reptiles (turtles, snakes, and lizards) live in Washington? E-mail burked@u.washington.edu.
2) How many species of plants live in Washington?
3) How many species of spiders live in Washington?
Answers can be found on the Burke Museum Web site at www.burkemuseum.org.
TIM’S BOOK CORNER
The Burke Education If you, your class, or your family is thinking about habitat and what an
Division is excited to animal needs to survive, check out The Salamander Room by Ann Mazer.
present the first issue Each page of this picture book adds a layer of the forested home
of our quarterly of the salamander to Brian's bedroom—mushrooms, other salamanders,
trees, water, insects—showing how salamanders need air, water, and
newsletter. countless other plants and animals to live.
Find: After reading the story, ask your children or students to recall what Brian
• Upcoming events had to introduce to his room for the salamander (i.e. rocks, insects, etc.).
You might group these things into basic needs: food, water, or shelter.
• New tours Students could develop their own stories, based on another plant or
• Workshops animal and what it needs to live: The Salmon Room or The Crow Room
• Resources are possible titles.
• Project ideas
University of Washington
Burke Museum
Education Division
Box 353010
Seattle, WA 98195-3010
slits along the dotted
Step 4: Punch holes
Before materials like
snow goggle pattern
to go hunting on the
Step 6: Put on your
snow goggles were
blinded by the sun.
Now you are ready
pattern, above and
carved from wood,
markers, scissors,
pattern and attach
plastic and elastic
Arctic Snow
paper, crayons or
Step 2: Cut small
A great winter
Supplies: String,
Step 5: Decorate
popsicle sticks to
ice without being
in the side of the
Goggles
Step 1: Cut out
popsicle sticks,
were available,
the back of the
bone, ivory, or
activity!
below the eye
with scissors.
Step 3: Glue
hole punch.
and design.
openings.
goggles!
antler.
string.
lines.