Making a Change

We are finishing up our study on Flight and preparing to begin a new one on camping. We still have our field trip to the airport on Tuesday, so when the kids get back from vacation on Monday, we'll revisit our old study, but there will be a bit of a stir about our new study. Generally, it's a good idea to prepare children (especially the children in our class) for change, but I went into the classroom today and set up a whole campsite in our dramatic play area, removing all of the old materials. The question is, how will the children react on Monday?

It will be a challenge to keep the children occupied elsewhere until we're able to meet and discuss the rules for all of the new materials. I think it's best to utilize real materials whenever possible. I added a tent, sleeping bags, a cooler, folding chairs, flashlights, and a camp frying pan. We will work together to make a representational fire pit and I may try to bring in a large branch or 2 to attach to the wall to create the feeling of being outside.

The children have been immersed in the Flight study now for about 5 weeks. If we weren't rapidly approaching the end of the school year, we would make the transition a little slower, but with only about 5 weeks left of school, we want to make sure that the children have adequate time to explore our new theme. It should be a fun way to finish up the school year while providing us ample opportunity to spend extra time outside enjoying the spring weather!