Learning Standards:
PK.SCI.1 Exploring, Observing, and Describing the World: Children observe and describe observable phenomena (objects, materials, organisms, and events). This standard supports activities that require children to observe animal behaviors and habitats, helping them to understand different aspects of the natural world.
PK.SCI.3 Exploring Life Science: Children explore characteristics, behaviors, and changes in living things (plants, animals, and humans) and the environment. This includes recognizing how animals are adapted to their environments, which directly relates to studying animal adaptations.
PK.SCI.2 Exploring Physical Science: Children observe and describe the properties of objects and materials and the changes that occur. This can be interpreted to include discussing changes in animal behaviors and adaptations in response to environmental changes, thus supporting inquiry-based learning.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.2: Comprehend and confirm understanding of a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media. This standard supports the comprehension aspect when discussing the concepts of animal adaptations and habitats during experiments and presentations.
SEL Social Awareness: Develop empathy by fostering a deeper connection and understanding of animals and their habitats. This encourages children to consider the feelings and needs of other living beings, enhancing their emotional and interpersonal skills.
Playground Builders: Designing the World’s Coolest Park!
Get ready to go on countless playground adventures as you turn your classroom into a huge wooden jungle gym! With rope ladders to climb, wooden bridges to build, and slides to assemble, you’ll work together as a construction crew to hammer, drill, and build a big playground made for movement and fun. As they build super-sized climbing towers and sturdy paths, campers will try things out, notice what feels wobbly, and make changes to help their playground stand strong. Some parts might wobble at first, and that’s when we’ll help each other, try again, and celebrate each improvement. By the end of the week, you’ll hear, “I want another turn!” as Explorers climb, slide, and play on the world’s coolest playground they built together.
Campers will:
- Build giant wooden playground equipment using real woodworking tools to construct ladders, bridges, towers, and paths made for climbing and super-sized movement.
- Practice resilience through building by testing their structures, noticing wobbles, and working together to fix, strengthen, and improve each design.
- Celebrate their hard work as they climb, slide, and play on the world’s coolest playground they built together from the ground up.
6/12-6/16
