camping class theme

Camping Classroom Room Tour

""literacy Lake" one of our meeting spot. I use the coolers as both a seat and storage for my mentor texts.

Thanks to Mrs Carroll and her lesson plan. I love the thoughtful conversation that followed.

We had a fantastic conversation about what we already know about our class community
and what we would also like to see in... Thanks to Keri for this great lesson idea! 

Here is the front of my class and our "Pondering Pond" meeting area. 

Love these frames that I found for my family... cheap too which is a bonus

I used dish towels as their "table clothes". A huge thank you to Randi for the graphics on the table signs and also all the labels I created for my Writers' Workshop supply station. Her camping graphics are excellent.

Getting the Writers' Workshop Supply Station labelled was made easier by the graphics from Randi. I  can not remember where the "dull & sharp" labels came from at this moment. I will get back to that reference. 

Love this recycled picnic basket that currently holds the white paper .
Thanks Marja for the donation. 

I call my Daily 5 - Campers Choice and have the options on a magnetic board.
 Students put their magnet beside the  activity they are working on. 

Loved this idea when I saw it Pinterest. Credit for this goes out too Melissa and her great resources from teacherspayteachers. Also to Erica for her fantastic polka dot border pack and also a huge shout out to Ashley for her amazing graphics.



"Tent" Book Holder

Here is my new book holder set up and ready to start the school year. I wish it was colourful but I love it anyway.

Shopping Score

Hey folks look what I found to store my students' books. I am going to put bins in each section to hold them. So fun. 

My Newest Wishlist Item

As I was surfing the web I found this "must have" carpet for a camping classroom

Check it out!

Behaviour Management Chart

Here are the new posters I made for our behaviour management chart. I will use clothes pins with the students numbers on it and all campers (students) will start on "Happy Campers".  

Camp Leaders is at the top and is a very special place to be...

Students will move up to Camp Leaders when they have been spotted "filling others buckets". My new class will decide what rewards we will do for the camp leaders (for example: people who have been on the Camp Leaders board that week might decide on what free time activities we chose from on Friday afternoon or earn some tally's towards more time for Whole Brain:Mind Soccer. 

everyone starts their day as "Happy Campers" 
~ if most students are on the "Happy Campers" section at the end of the day they can also earn tally's towards brain games time (which they love)

                                          camping kids graphics by thistlegirl designs

                                                 Ranger Graphics from GL Stock Graphics

When students have moved to "Not a Happy Camper" they have to fill out a reflection sheet that goes home to be discussed with their parents/guardians and signed. If someone earns 3 in a short time then the parents & student are called in for a meeting. 

reflection sheet freebie

Camping Class & the PYP

Our room is the "camping room" and so naturally we call ourselves `'campers".  Alert: I am one of those people who loves acronyms! Since I teach at a PYP school I thought it would be great to incorporate the Learner Profile into our name and that is how C.A.M.P.E.R.S (curious, active, motivated, positive, energetic, respectful students) came to be. 

A HUGE shout out to ashley @ thistlegirldesigns for her amazing  graphics!

I have used the camping theme for a few years now (in a portable we were the "Cottage Kids") and I absolutely love it!!!!!!!!  Here are the ideas that I have used to "spruce" up our camping theme. I will post pics of my classroom on my blog in August. 

And please share your ideas... the more the better ;)

Decorations:

• tent (I use a half tent for blocking the sun and it works great)

• small sleeping bags 
• logs as seats (Ikea sells round rubber mats that work perfect for seat cushions)
• coolers as seats (added bonus I store my mentor texts in them)
• small camper chairs for kid
• one big one for me (if you get the one with cup holders you can store pen, pencils, etc there)

• plug in "fake" fire (new for next year) that we will use for our publishing celebration and to have on when we celebrate birthdays

• recycle bin - I was able to find a small bright blue one (class colour) that looks like the larger ones our school uses (with a lid and wheels) so it looks like it is outside
• On our tables I use larger tea towels that are gingham checkered and put them on a diagonal with a plant on each table that the campers are responsible to take care of
• Also I bought several mini lanterns that are battery power or wind-up for reading time
• stuffed bears are our dear friends (the ones I have are from Kika and the proceeds help support cancer research for children so they are very special to us)

check out these cuties

• One of my favourite finds is the fun "cartoonish tree" that is painted on plywood. It stands behind the tent and can also serve to post things on. I saved it from the garbage - it was part of an old drama set... SCORE!!!!
• End of the School Year - during the last few weeks of school next year I am going to hang the blow up beach balls and round swimming rings from the ceiling to make it truly feel like summer.

Animals and Reading

• Beanie baby reading strategies work great since they promote reading strategies and have animals

Look at the Posters

Areas in the Classroom

• literacy lake - at our larger library - it is our area for class sharing, morning meeting, etc.
• "Smart Board Swamp" - the students uses the round foam cushions from Ikea and call them lily pads
• ranger station - my desk 
• "camp sites" (a sign for each table)
• backpack bunkhouse
• campers' corner - at our smaller library corner
• games gazebo
• sink station
• supply central

Our Agenda Reminders are called "Camp News"

Camp Memories

• Next year, I want to have a display called "Hooked on Happiness". The students will write special memories/moments and put them in wicker basket that looks like an old fishing basket. 



I am on the hunt for something like this.

The papers they will have to fill in will be stored in a box called "Bait Shop". We will share these special memories before each long holiday to remind them what a wonderful community we are. 

click this link for these adorable graphics and more

Backpacks (Thoughful Classroom and Life Long Learners)

• All campers have backpacks... I start the year with a "thoughtful" lesson on filling your backpack of life... The students often say that they fill their backpacks with pencils, books, etc. As we work through our unit on creating a "thoughtful" classroom they realize that this is more of a metaphor and they then add attributes such as: being an inquirer, communication, etc. 
• I bought a cheap back pack and foam stars on long straws. The students write their final thoughts on the post its and it becomes a permanent display. The backpack has a place of honour on a small stool that is draped in rich fabric. 

check out the book

Camp Songs A MUST

I teach them many camp songs throughout the year - which they love. We sing them on the way to field trips and whenever we need to pass time. My EAL students love them as they are often silly. 

I happen to enjoy the enthusiasm and videos from greenghoulies an excellent source for camp songs. Two favourites this year were "The Wishy Washer Washer Woman" and the "Hippo" song. 

Campers Challenge Review Game modified from  whole brain training "Mind Soccer"

Did I forget anything? Do you have questions? How about suggestions? I always love to hear what others are doing.

Happy camping, 

Marta