Campfire Art Project

 

We did this art project the first week of summer school, it is simple and fun to do! I found it on pinterest through Fumbling through parenthood  There are some great ideas if you want to check them out!

 

We went on a hike the first day and picked up all kinds of neat stuff--moss, leaves, flowers, rocks, sticks, twigs.

 

Materials needed:

twigs

liquid glue

tissue paper or construction paper

scissors

 

1. Break up the twigs if needed.

2. Squeeze lots of glue in the spot for the logs. I drew an oval shape to indicate where the glue needed to stay within.

3. Place the twigs.

4. Cut or tear paper in orange, red and yellow color.

5. Randomly place and glue paper.

6. Let dry overnight.

 

This is one art project where the kids can use lots of glue! This project is also very adaptable for all scissor skills. If they are just beginning and are snipping, give them narrow strips to do just that. If they cannot handle scissors at all, they can tear the paper into small pieces. One of my students made a pattern with his flames all on his own!

 

They are very proud of this project! It has been hanging in the hall the last couple of weeks and the parents ooo and aah over it.

 

Paula

Checking into camp......camp jobs....building an indoor campfire!

Checking into Camp (class)

 

The student's first job when they walk into the classroom is to turn over their tent card and see what their job is for the day. Second, they hang up their backpack and  do their job. Next, they  take a bathroom break, and settle onto their sleeping bag to do the "clipboard work" while everyone else finishes. 



 

Check in card-this side shows you are not here

 

This side means you have arrived!

 

 

Job Cards

• Campfire: build the classroom campfire.
• Calendar keeper: update the calendar, the day of the week chart (yesterday, today and tomorrow), write the date- "Today is _____."
• Coin counter: count the coins in the money cup, write the amount.
• Line leader (self explanatory)
• Schedule keeper: Check off activities as completed and tell the class what is next.
• Song leader: lead the songs, choose a favorite one.

Building a Classroom Campfire





The campfire builder is the most sought after job! It was demonstrated the first day and they took off with it! The "fire" is made from tissue paper, it was folded and taped at the bottom so it could be arranged easily between the logs.

 

Checking off the Schedule

 

The Schedule keeper is a pretty popular job also, it has some "power"! They turn over the green cards as we finish an activity and announce to the class what is next.







 

The graphics used are from a variety of sources:

Google clipart

Writing with Symbols 2000

Camping Fun by 1-2-3 Learn Curriculum and

Camping Theme Classroom Resources by chassity klick  both purchased at Teacher Pay Teachers.

 

Paula

 



July Currently with Oh Boy 4th Grade

The summer is going way too fast! I'm sure every teacher is saying that right
about now! I am linking up with Oh Boy 4th Grade for the monthly currently, here goes:



Listening: It may seem strange that we live in Alaska and watch the Alaska reality shows, but I think my husband watches them so he can make fun of them! I know the Alaska Troopers show is interesting because we recognize a lot of the locations!
Loving: It never gets old that I don't have to think about setting the alarm clock for Monday morning! I am working summer school, but it is only on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays.
Thinking: My husband is heading to Oklahoma tomorrow night, he is going to spend time with his family and help his mom with some things. I am so happy he gets to go, but I will really miss him the minute he leaves! With all our kids grown up, we spend lots of time together, and things like a simple drive are enjoyable when we are together!
Wanting/needing: So I would like to go with him, HOWEVER, I need to get some things done before I take off! Mainly, finish summer school, I would also like to set up my classroom before I leave. I won't be back to Alaska until the required day. School districts don't really pay you for enough days to be ready for that first day of school!
Tips: My daughter has been teaching me cleaning recipes made from basic household supplies. My favorite one so far is the mixing of peroxide and baking soda into a paste and rubbing it on stain on fabric, rub it in, let it set, rub it in, and so on until it is clean, it works! Also dish soap and peroxide makes an amazing cleaner for everything.

I am going back to oh Boy! now to check out some blogs!
Paula

Five for Friday(Saturday!)......June 28, 2013

Whoa! It is Saturday night and I am just now getting my Friday post in! I'll be making it quick since I am feeling the need to sleep!

Here I go joining Doodle Bugs Teaching on my five for Friday! Doodles is taking July off so I don't want to miss out on this one!

1. We had another awesome week at summer school! Attendance is good and we pretended to camp in Wrangell Alaska this week. This happens to be a place I have lived, so I had lots of objects to show and tell with the students. We made a totem pole out of paper towel rolls that turned out so wonderful. I made one with Velcro, so the animals could be removed and replaced as I read the book, Totem Tale A Tall Story from Alaska by Deb Vanasse and illustrated by Erik Brooks. It is a story about a totem pole where all the animals on it come to life one night, they have a grand time, at dawn they begin to climb back on the pole but cannot remember how they were sequenced. They are reminded that they tell a story and so figure it out as the sun rises.

 

The students loved it! and did a very good job with their own totem poles.

 

Alaska has many fine children's book authors, I love all of them, but this one is especially inspiring! By the way I googled the animals and printed out free clipart to make the totem animals.

 

2. I finally purchased a tablet! I have been playing with it for a couple of days and although I opted for a very inexpensive one, I am not one bit disappointed, it does everything I wanted it to do.

 

3. I also purchased my plane ticket for Oklahoma! Wooooo! I am looking forward to seeing my family and friends. I miss them soooooo much.

 

4. In school we had an awesome graphing activity using paper fish with paper clips and a fishing pole with a magnet! First, we took turns fishing for one fish at a time, it went pretty quick, so the wait time was minimal, after catching the fish, they told me what color their fish was (loud enough for me to hear and understand them).....

 



 

Second, they placed their fish on the graph......

 

 

 

and last, I had them read the questions and answer them.

 

annnnnd..... when we had a few extra minutes...we did more fishing just for fun!

 

5. My last random thought will be grandchildren of course! My husband put together what my daughter fondly described as a "redneck slip and slide" for the kids to play on. We have actually had some really warm days lately! The kids had a blast and so did grandpa!

 

 



 

They managed to find a muddy spot. (big surprise)

 

So there is my five! I still have so much to share with you that we are doing at summer school!

 

Paula

Camping Classroom Unit at Summer School...Class tour

Ok, this is how our school district does ESY (Extended School Year): a school is chosen that is sort of a central point for the district, our district is HUGE by the way, mile wise. Then all the students who were signed up for it attend that school with the exception of the more remote locations, they have their own.  We have preschool through high school there all at one time. It is amazing to see, all ages and types of students under one roof!

This year my classroom theme is Camping around Alaska! The Teacher Assistants assigned to my classroom are awesome and jumped right in with ideas to make this the best Summer School classroom ever!

This week we set up the classroom for the 5 week session. The first three days,  the unit is introduced, the routines and expectations are reviewed, we get to know each other.

This year I really lucked out. It is always a surprise which classroom we will be assigned, as well as how much space you are allowed to use. This time, the room is in transition, the previous teacher moved out completely and the new one has not moved in yet...meaning we had practically the whole room available to us!

Campfire area: calendar, counting, story time, whole group activities.

 The Bear Station: meeting with the teacher in groups of 2, working on objectives. (added a small table since this picture)

 The writing tent: writing, fine motor tasks.

 Check in area: turn over tent card and check your job for the day.

Reading Tent: literacy tasks, reading

 

The Cabin: sensory bin, puzzles, and other fun stuff!

 

 

 The Moose Station: independent stations or you might think of them as TEACCH stations.

 

 Science Table: This is where we display and explore what we find outdoors on hikes, also include items related to the week's camping place. Other items not pictured: magnets and a balance with weighted pieces.

 

 

After some trial and error, we came up with the station rotation schedule. There are three adults, and each class session has 5-6 students. We split them up in groups of 2. Each group is assigned to the Bear Station, Writing Tent and the Reading Tent. When finished with the initial station, they can choose to go to the Cabin, Science or the Moose stations. After about 5 minutes, we rotate again. At this time, I have a 30 minute slot for rotating and it is a little short! Our entire session is only 2 and a half hours long. The buses were running late last week, I think they will be on time next week, so we will gain some time.

 

The next time I will share our schedule, routines and an art project or two!

 

Paula

 

Five for Friday...ESY begins.....June 21, 2013

First day of summer, our longest day of the year, it seems to have arrived too fast!

Joining Doodle Bugs Teaching, here's my five for Friday:

1. ESY aka summer school began this week! I am sooooo tired but pleased with the progress. Everyone loves my theme:  Camping in Alaska! My TAs jumped right on it and helped me set up the classroom, bringing camping items from their homes as well! Here's a peek at our campfire area.......

 

2. It was sunny and HOT several days this week! Hot to us is 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit...remember we don't have AC, so there were a couple of nights that made it hard to sleep. This Okie girl is not used to heat anymore!

 

 

image provided by google free clipart

 

3. Commuted to school with a friend and co-worker all week, it was great! Besides the obvious benefit, saving gas money, it is also very nice to have someone to visit with to and from work. The school where we are having ESY is about 30 minutes away from my house. I drove this week, so next week I can just sit back and relax!

 

4.Our landlord brought us another washing machine. YEA!

 

5. We took drives around the lake several evenings...beautiful!

 

I am closing with a picture of my daughter and her friend!

 

Happy summer!

Paula

 

Attention! The Phonics Phenomenon is having a GIVEAWAY!



Calling all teachers!! Phonics Phenomenon is having a giveaway to celebrate her 100 followers...check out her blog at The Phonics Phenomenon 100 Follower Celebration! The winner will receive a $25 TPT gift certificate and her entire TPT store.  Make sure that you get your entries in by the 21st!
Congratulations to Kristy Lutton! 

I am very happy with my 20 followers, thank you to everyone who drops by and leaves a comment from time to time.  I have some new stuff to share with you from summer school! Today one of our assistants said that we had the coolest room at summer school.

 

More later, Paula