As I recall, when I lived up north, we always allowed a little longer outdoor
playtime in May just to enoy the early days of summer. So, why not move
your creative drama corner outside?
If you have a good-sized outdoor
sandbox, turn it (and the immediate area surrounding it) into "the beach"
with such props as beach umbrellas, etc. (I give suggestions
for a "Beach" creative drama kit in my "Summer Things" booklet.
You can get it through the "Stormie's Stuff for
Teachers" section of my website.)
You could send notes
home in advance for parents to have their children come to school wearing bathing
suits under their outerwear clothing. Then for outdoor playtime, they
have instant "beach attire."
If you have plenty of
adult help, you could also set up a small pool with water in it next to the "sandbox
beach" to represent the ocean. This will
need constant supervision!
Have your real snacktime
"on the beach!"
Play Caribbean music!
My
"Summer" booklet also has ideas for setting up a pretend "campsite"
too.
-------------------------------------------------
Go
On a Picnic: Instead of a beach, how about a "Picnic" creative drama
kit, complete with blanket, picnic basket, plastic ware, real drinks and snacks,
and so on? Have children wear their own "summer hats" for
outdoor play (baseball caps, visors, etc). A baby pool nearby could serve
as a pond with toy frogs and/or fish in it. ----------------
Reminder
from Stormie: If you would like to begin collecting ALL my current classroom
ideas (each on a 4 x 6" index card), as well as new ones that I create, you
can do so by ordering my "Activity Cards." Click here
to check them out.
