I am a first year teacher, teaching first grade. I plan to do an outdoor/camping/lodge combo theme. I am 'borrowing' a great idea that I found on another site (I can't remember where), where the teacher had 'The Word Wall Woods'. Does anyone have any ideas where/if I can find pre-made pine trees? I need several, and while I plan to make some of them, I really need more than I have time to make. I've found lots of oak trees, but no pine/cedar type trees. Any info would be greatly appreciated, as would any and all ideas/themes for this classroom.
Thanks bunches!
I did a camp theme last year, and I made a few pine trees, also, because I couldn't find any. I copied a clip art picture of some and traced them onto green and brown butcher paper from the overhead. It didn't take that long, because I only had to do the outline and then put the trees and trunks together. It probably took me about 30 minutes to make, cut out, and put together three trees. Just a thought!
Christmas trees! Could you shop around some yard sales or ask friends and family if they have any old trees they would part with? Those small wire type ones would be great...you could staple them to the board and then bend the branches outward for a 3d effect.
If you are going for a lodge/cottage look, several of the these sites have various sets that have a door, window, fireplace, or cozy reading corner with cute bears. A little too cute for my fifth graders, but probably great for first grade.
Also shapes etc has pine tree cutouts, moose, bear, and cabins.
Thanks SO much! That large pine tree is just what I was looking for! I'm really torn on how to do this room - I have already purchased the Artic North Woods set(s) and several extras, so I'm financially committed to going on with that theme. I have tan carpet, cream walls, and the room I will be in has brown trim. I love the camping theme, and plan to cut out tagboard lanterns, hang fishing bobbers from the ceiling, and I have a 5 ft tall bookshelf in the shape of a boat that I'm going to use. My problem is that all of this is 'outdoor' material, and I really like the idea of having a lodge-feel, with windows, fireplace (for reading) etc. Does anyone have any ideas on how I can make it feel like indoor AND outdoor, without being over the top? I thought about having the area where the students desks are as 'inside', and my centers 'outside', but I'm not sure how to 'separate' the two. Any ideas would be welcome, as would any ideas for center names. I'm trying to use frog/bug counters for my math center, but am open to all ideas!
Could you maybe make a cozy log cabin style reading corner?Maybe make a cabin interior for the background with a fireplace on it with pillows in front. I would love to but I just don't have the space.
06-24-2007, 09:04 AM
