End of the Year Camp Out!

At the end of the school year we have a camp out in my classroom! I put the kids into groups of 4 or 5 and they come to school wearing their P.J.s and have their sleeping bags in tow! 

Throughout the day the kids complete group activities that sum up the school year! The major activity they complete is a camp brochure complete with a description of camp, the cost for one week of camp, some activities campers will participate in, the layout of the cabins, and some illustrations! (This year I even incorporated technology! The kids created a brochure in Publisher!)

 

Later in the day, we tell stories by the campfire and talk about the things we learned throughout the year and what we will miss most! How could I forget, campfire time is complete with S'MORES and a heartfelt story, Oh the Places You Will Go or another favorite Thank you, Mr. Faulkner. 

We end the day with camp awards, a summer treat from me, and a little summer homework packet to keep our noggins sharp over the summer months.

Hope you have enjoyed a peak into my end of the year activities! Thank you, Mel D, for this fantastic linky party! It is my first of many!

BELIEVE & ACHIEVE

Susan 

Hooray! It's Officially Summer!

It is official! Summer Break is here! I never would have thought I would be so busy since my first blog post. Many exciting things have happened over the past month. I wrapped up one of my most successful school years yet, I learned I will be moving my classroom ... AGAIN (this is the 4th time in 5 years of teaching ... AND we will be moving into the new building in December! No worries though, I will just be able to enjoy my winter break a little more than others! ... RIGHT?!), I got most of my stuff moved over in less than a week (Hip Hip Hooray!) and I taught an AMAZING week long summer camp program, AKA Camp Invention! For those of you who have never heard of Camp Invention, it is a high interest, hands on science based camp, that promotes problem solving, team work and higher level thinking skills. An AWESOME experience for kids entering grades 1-5! Learn more at http://www.invent.org/camp/default.aspx.

Well, with a day of rest under my belt, I am ready to get moving on my plans for next year! It is always exciting moving into a new classroom and I would love to jump into decorating and organizing but first things first ... refining my curriculum! Where to begin!? Until next time ....

BELIEVE and ACHIEVE!