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Home : 2002 : July : 11

Nature
By Krissy

Here is a copy of post I ran a few weeks ago when Elaine was looking for some ideas about a nature theme. Maybe this will help you out. I'm not exactly sure about "Woodlands" but hope this helps!

*Jobs: "Flying in to
help out!" Give each student a bird (use clip-art of real birds since your kids are studying nature) and put the job names on small twigs. The birds can "land" on the jobs.
*Reading corner: A big nest would be great! Maybe you could make a large paper nest on the wall with giant eggs with books hatching out. "Reading Hatches New Ideas!"
*Student of the week/month: "Caught! A Great

Student!" Make a fishing theme by putting up a fishing hat or lures. Make a little fishing pole of construction paper and you can tie the students name to the end with a string.
*Classroom reward: Since the Missouri state tree is the dogwood, you could put up a blank green tree and have students earn paper dogwood flowers, set a goal for a certain number. Use something removable and you could use this over and over.
*Tree stump stools: Get some non-sappy tree stumps (I'm just picturing the mess with some) and put little round cushions on them for an extra seat in the reading corner or for a small center area.
*Bird-feeder in your window: Put up a birdwatching area for the kids if possible.
*Classroom Decor: Contact the Missouri Department of Conservation. They offer awesome free posters to teachers in Missouri. i received some with types of leaves, Missouri pond life, and seasons in Missouri. This would fit right in!
*Information Board: Call this "River Currents" Make a large river out of blue paper "flowing" down your wall/bulletin board. by making it start out small at the top and getting larger at the bottom.
*A tree: Make a tree by crumpling paper bags and taping to the wall. I have seen someone do this and it turns out great! Tape paper leaves all over. You could even use this as a word wall. Or, get one of those inexpensive artificial trees that Garden Ridge has on sale all the time.
*Check the dollar stores for old calendars of nature photos. Cut them out and laminate them to use as small posters.
*Nametags: Use different leaf shapes for student nametags.