Wednesday, May 25, 2011

The Learning Safari!

Today is what teaching is all about!  Every year I invite parents to come in and see what their children have been learning in Second Grade.  We turned our classroom into a Safari complete with Jeeps and all.  Then students took their parents through a journey of their Second Grade year.  They shared a book they wrote, taught their parents how to play a math game, read their favorite story from the Imagine It book, and shared their portfolio of all their writing projects from the year.  I enjoy watching all the giggles, smiles and enjoyment from parents and students.  The afternoon came to an end with the surprised Candy Bar Awards.  I love presenting these to my students and have so much fun matching their personalities to a candy bar.


Some cute monkeys greeting parents as they arrive (Thanks Mrs. Jump!  I got these from her Zoo Unit)

The students created a "map"and organized the things they needed.





We wrote about "Two" cans for Third Grade.  These writing forms and patterns are available on Teacher's Notebook.  Just click the picture above!




These are our portfolios.  Students keep their writing projects in them all year to share on this special day.  The idea came from "The Bag Ladies"


The Candy Bar Awards

We couldn't wait for the parents to arrive!


We had a full house!  Thank you to every parent who rearranged their schedule to spend the afternoon in Second Grade!


77 comments:

  1. What a fabulous idea...I bet the parents absolutely loved it!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your room is FANTASTIC!!!! You really are creative. Your students must have had a wonderful year with you. Anyway of sharing some templates (toucan and lion)? I am doing safari theme next year. I bought animal skin borders and TONS of monkey decorations. Your room has inspired me! Thanks!!!!!

    Always First Grade

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is one of the cutest ideas I've ever seen! I LOVE IT!

    ReplyDelete
  4. The toucan I can share since I made up the patterns but the lion came from Mrs. Jump's Zoo Unit on TPT. Just post your e-mail or e-mail from the link on this blog and I will send the pattern for the toucan.

    ReplyDelete
  5. YAY! Thanks....libarra98@gmail.com

    http://alwaysfirstgrade.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  6. I LOVE your candy bar awards!! Where did you get them?

    ReplyDelete
  7. I pieced the candy bar awards together from different sources and then I created them using an "invitation" for a candy party. I used pictures from the internet of the different candy bars.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Are you sharing your candy awards? If so 945kim269@gmail.com

      Delete
  8. Oh. My. Goodness. What an AWESOME teacher you are!! I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE the jeeps! I bet your students will remember this afternoon forever! GREAT JOB!! :o)

    Cindy
    ccfirstteacher@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am a first year 2nd grade teacher... I love this!! I have been planning a jungle theme classroom. The Toucans are adorable. Can I get the template for it?
    Thanks,
    KM
    kalynf24@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I LOVE the candy awards...I started making some prior to our awards day, but didn't get finished! Are you selling/sharing these?
    Very nice!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I would love the toucan pattern. Could you also mention any other Open Court ideas/activities you do? I'd love to share back and forth. LaurieBirt@smsd.org Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love this! I do a rainforest theme all year in my 2nd grade room...Love the ideas.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Could you share patterns and copies for all the activities for the Learning Safari? I seriously want to do this next year... :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Your room is adorable! I love the way you made the desks look like Jeeps. Very creative. I would love a copy of your toucan pattern if you're willing to share! Thank you!
    sarah.marcum@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I would love a copy of the toucan if are are willing to share! Your room is fantastic!
    tkhb923@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I also would like a copy of your toucan. Thanks
    melissahoage@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Love Love Love these ideas! So thankful for teachers like you who share! I would like a copy of your toucan, too!
    Thanks,
    tkworley@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. I would love a copy of your toucan pattern if possible.
    jillurbanik@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I would love a copy of your toucan pattern. I love your ideas! jengentry@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  20. this is precious!!!! if you have copies of activities from this i would love them! i am a first year teacher and this seems like an awesome idea!!!
    ctb828@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Great ideas! Here's a list of candy bar award ideas I found.

    http://www.scoutingweb.com/scoutingweb/SubPages/CandyBarAwards.htm

    ReplyDelete
  22. I would love a copy of your toucan pattern if possible.

    kcpotters@hughes.net

    ReplyDelete
  23. You are very talented! I love your jeeps! They are too cute! :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. I have already started thinking about the theme for my classroom next year and soon as I saw your blog, I decided it would be a jungle theme. Your ideas are exceptional! The jeeps are so creative...love them. If possible, I would greatly appreciate a copy of your toucan pattern.

    Thank you for sharing your creativity! Happy New Year. :)

    Paula
    thndrlghtnng2@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I would love the candy award ideas, if you have time please email me the ones you used rstan08@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Amazing room filled with great activities. I would love a copy of your toucan and also the candy award ideas, if at all possible. Thank you so much!

    alisa.ternes@knoxschools.org

    ReplyDelete
  27. I love your candy awards! If you could share at markwardt.stacy@yahoo.com I would greatly appreciate it!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Love your theme! Could I have a copy of the toucan pattern as well?

    sunshinesbaby1@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thanks everyone for your kind comments! I will upload the documents and toucan patterns as soon as I get back to work. We are still on winter break.

    ReplyDelete
  30. You are a true inspiration! Your room exumes your love and dedication to our field! Love, love, love your ideas. I'd appreciate any sharing of your templates too! Can't wait for your uploads. Have a fantastic new year!! Do you do anything special for New Year's celebration?
    fcarnes@hillsborough.k12.nj.us
    Thanks again, Fran

    ReplyDelete
  31. I teach 2nd grade and love it. I'm gonna do this!!! Linda in San Antonio

    ReplyDelete
  32. Great Lina in San Antonio! I know your students will LOVE it:)
    Let me know if I can be of any help.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Im interested in the candy awards if you are sweet enought to share! Please email me at adriennekimscott@aol.com. Thanks a bunch!

    ReplyDelete
  34. I can't thank everyone enough for all your kind words! I have finally made the toucan patterns available on Teacher's Notebook. Please visit my up-and-coming store at http://www.teachersnotebook.com/product/dmlp/toucans

    -Dawn

    ReplyDelete
  35. I would love the candy awards! Would you mind sharing? So creative!

    sullivanc@mtnbrook.k12.al.us

    ReplyDelete
  36. Love, Love, Love the candy awards! Would you mind sharing? My e-mail is kristenbgsu@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. Are you going to post your candy bar awards on teacher's notebook as well? I have done the candy bar awards for years, but yours are way cuter!!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Kim. My goal is to have them up by this weekend. Thanks:).

    ReplyDelete
  39. Can't wait to purchase your candy bar awards!!!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Hi Everyone! Thanks so much for all your kind words and for showing interest in visiting my blog:) I have finally uploaded my candy bar awards to Teacher's Notebook - I hope you'll check them out.

    http://www.teachersnotebook.com/product/dmlp/candy-bar-awards

    Thanks:)
    Dawn

    ReplyDelete
  41. How awesome you are...I have done the classroom candy awards as well, but mine were nowhere as cute as yours. Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  42. I love, love, love the candy awards! I wanted to do this for my students this year too. If you are able to share or are selling the idea, please email me at jen@cantrellontheweb.com

    Thank you so much!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Your candy bar classroom awards are a great idea.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Hi there! I love your site!! You have the best ideas!! I'm was wondering if you would share your Learning Safari Map and tell me a little more about the letter your students wrote to their parents and the books they made. I love them!

    Thank you so much!!
    Lisette.diaz@browardschools.com

    ReplyDelete
  45. I would like to have a copy of the candy awards also, if possible.

    jennifer.wright@meade.kyschools.us

    ReplyDelete
  46. Could you please tell me how you make the paper bag portfolios? In looked on the bag ladies website and thought the directions were a bit confusing My email is sv0714@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  47. Do you mind sending me the certificates for the candy awards? I was just starting on my end of the year awards and saw your adorable candy awards! my email address is joni.peterson@usd481.org.

    Thanks so much!
    Joni

    ReplyDelete
  48. I just bought your candy bar awards. However, when I tried to open the documents it tells me there is a problem with the file. What am I doing wrong? I really want to use these this year.

    Thanks,
    Kerry

    ReplyDelete
  49. Will u share your invitations the kids made for their parents and the maps, etc. I'm doing a learning safari on the 23rd. I can't wait! Also, I'm trying to find the lion template on tpt and I can't locate it. Can you help?

    Ashley
    Amlong@ccisd.net

    ReplyDelete
  50. This looks like such a blast. I am a first year kindergarten teacher and I'm always on the look out for new and exciting things for my kiddos. This one takes the cake! Would it be possible to get the templates for this project? I would really appreciate it!
    Thank you!
    Katy
    katy.l.griffith@aggiemail.usu.edu

    ReplyDelete
  51. would love the pattern too! cmpainter@tsc.k12.in.us thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
  52. I would like the Toucan pattern too! please please please! And how did you decorate the desks?
    winan1ma@cmich.edu

    ReplyDelete
  53. I would love a copy of the toucan and especially the candy bar awards! I am looping with my kiddos this year and it will be my first time teaching second grade. Im so nervous but glad great teachers like you share wonderful ideas!

    amrossio@my.ysu.edu

    ReplyDelete
  54. Love the toucan idea!!! I would also love a copy of the template, please!

    ksnyder@kcsd.us

    ReplyDelete
  55. How did you make the jeeps? and can I get the toucan template? :D
    winan1ma@cmich.edu

    ReplyDelete
  56. Can I get the toucan template? :D

    loribennett@pacbell.net

    ReplyDelete
  57. I love the candy awards. Would you be willing to share?
    Thank you,

    nury29@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  58. I absolutely love the jeeps! Last year was my first year in 2nd grade. I decided to do a safari theme this year. I don't know that I am willing to make jeeps for 30 students, but I think I have to steal the idea for my desk. Do you have any pointers?

    meggers286@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  59. Love your candy awards. Would you mind sharing. nmozee@mesquiteisd.org

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  60. Your room and creations are GREAT! I'm doing a Rain forest theme now and have been looking for a toucan pattern. The Jeep idea is so cute. I do Pre-K so we don't have desks but sure is cute. I too would like to know if I can get a copy of the candy awards. Thanks for sharing.

    Michelle

    ReplyDelete
  61. Oh my how I love your candy awards!!! Would you be willing to share? alkistner@bvps.org
    Thanks!
    Aley

    ReplyDelete
  62. I would love the pattern for the tucan, lion and the monkey. Thanks, Barb

    bmacri@herkimercsd.org

    ReplyDelete
  63. Look it! I'm doing an African themed night at our church for a fundraiser. The kids will be making jeeps out of cardboard boxes to watch an outdoor movie in. Wondering what you made your bars out of on the jeeps? I've been thinking of how to make that piece of the jeep!
    Dawn- pariashassistant@lovelylane.org

    ReplyDelete
  64. I understand what you bring it very meaningful and useful, thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  65. Thanks for sharing the information. It is very useful for my future. keep sharing
    Signature:
    Versión en facebook español a los países hablan Español: facebook login entrar , facebook en español para and facebook entrar direto

    ReplyDelete
  66. I would like more information about this, because it is very nice., Thanks for sharing.
    Signature:
    download baixar facebook movel, Facebook movel, baixar facebook. Facebook chat, baixar whatsapp, fazer o download baixar whatsapp gratis para Android, iPhone. Últimas Facebook

    ReplyDelete
  67. This is also a very good post which I really enjoyed reading. It is not everyday that I have the possibility to see something
    descargar facebook gratis , messenger whatsapp , mobogenie descargar , descargar whatsapp , cities skylines , five nights at freddy's game

    ReplyDelete
  68. Hi may i ask what did you use for the tubes for the jeep table?

    Thank you!

    ReplyDelete