Because of the vast differences in climate in Ecuador due to its geography, there are many creative charting/graphing possibilities for math integration as air temperatures change from region to region and month to month and day to day.
Chart and compare differences of animal speeds since the Galápagos tortoise is obviously one of the slowest! Compare animals just found in Ecuador or compare speeds with other animals not found in Ecuador. Matching speeds with the animals and putting them on a line graph would be one possibility.
Link a study of Ecuador to physical education with this game.Although it is a game idea from Costa Rica, adapt it to Ecuador and, instead of just tierra (land) and mar (sea), use names for the four regions -- Pacific Coast (océano/ocean), Andes Highlands (montañas/mountains), Amazon (río/river), Galápagos Islands (isla/island) and jump forward, backward, right, and left. You could also add body movements while jumping or when landing -- wave motions with arms from side to side (ocean); arc formation overhead with both arms (mountains); wiggly motion with hands clasped with arms extended in front (river); extending arms and joining thumbs and index fingers in front (island)
I recommend the following online resources about the fascinating Galápagos Islands as well. The marine iguana there is extremely unique and its basic charactistics, habits, and appearance are appealing to children!: My fourth graders love studying about it.
Have fun with this exciting thematic unit!
