A Classroom Playhouse
For 19 years I was lucky to teach at a district Kindergarten Center where all learning for the 400 students was focused on kindergarten learning, where each classroom had it's own playhouse, and many of our PLC meetings were dedicated to the topic of how to maximize learning in that important learning space that is the dramatic play area.
When my husband wanted to move to a new state, I had one demand. He would have to build me a playhouse in my new classroom. And he did!
I have been asked by several followers how my playhouse was constructed. So, here are some "How to Build a Classroom Playhouse" instructions.
We purchased 3 4X6 plywood sheets. The left side of the playhouse is simply one of those boards placed horizontally. The outside of the playhouse wall, which is actually the wall divider to my sensory/science centers, is framed with purchased baseboard forms. The inside of that wall, you can see, is framed with small 1X1 boards to provide support.
My former playhouse was lined with sheetrock on the inside and looked very finished. But, I found with this house, simply painting the boards looks great and lends itself to being mobile; something I definitely wanted after moving classrooms!
The front wall was made from two plywood boards placed vertically and seamed together in the center. The door is 5 feet tall, leaving 1 foot to the peek. We framed all ends and the cutout window with the baseboard forms. We used some real shingles, cut to fit, to make a cute roof-like appearance. The right side of my playhouse is simply my playhouse furniture connected together with L-brackets to form a psuedo-wall. I then simply covered the back of these furniture pieces with contact paper. I have a shelf in front of that wall, so I did not need a formal "side." But I could have easily made a wall the same as the other side if it would have been needed.
The entire house is hooked together with L-Brackets and is attached to the wall with them as well. When I leave this classroom I can take the house with me, if I choose to do so.
I begin each year with my playhouse set up as a kitchen. It then changes to Mrs. Wishy Washy's farmhouse. I simply add a few stuffed animals to the existing kitchen and hang a few pictures from the Mrs. Wishy Washy big book. From that point, the playhouse changes about every 2 weeks to things such as a fire station, grocery store, costume shop, restaurant, workshop, Christmas kitchen, pet hospital, doctor's office, ice cream shop, post office, library, school house, bakery, submarine, pirate ship, space ship, safari hut, zoo, and more. Here are a few examples. You can tell my students love this learning space!
These products contain aides for Dramatic Play in your classroom!
Also available at Teachers Pay Teachers!
Dramatic play offers unprecedented opportunities for teaching Common Core Math concepts through authentic experiences. In fact, when asked to work on math skills in the context of a play situation, students are always able to work at a level above their normal skill. To meet the high academic demands of the 21st century, play will be critical to student success, scaffolding their learning in a way that allows them to be successful.
Also available at Teachers Pay Teachers!
Center Signs for Back To School and the Entire School Year!
Dress up your learning centers while informing the observer of the learning that takes place during center time, with original "Who Knows" poetry and delightful signs. Each sign encourages the development that takes places through center-time learning.
Currently there are over Forty center signs to choose from, and a choice of two styles, "I am" or "I can" language.
Print from your own printer, mount, and laminate. Or, save the pdf as jpegs and head off to the closest photoshop to make posters. BONUS: Includes Pocket Chart Titles.
ABC Center
Art Center
Block Center
Construction Center
Computer Center
Dramatic Play Center
Discovery Center
Eno Board Center
Fine Motor Center
iPad Center Center
Library Center
Light Table Center
Listening Center
Literacy Center
Math Center
Manipulatives Center
Mimio Center
Music Center
Music and Movement Center
Overhead Center
Painting Center
Pocket Chart Center
Poetry Center
Phonics Center
Puppet Center
Puzzle Center
Puzzle and Game Center
Reading Center
Read the Room Center
Science Center
Sensory Center
Smartboard Center
Snack Center
Social Studies Center
Table Toys Center
Teacher Center
Toy Center
Technology Center
Word Work Center
Write the Room Center
Writing Center
Write the Room Center
If you would rather have photos rather than clip art, check out this Photograph option.
Learning Center Signs Photographs
© Kathy Crane
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Product Description
This thematic unit on Mexico is filled with active, fun learning that your classroom or homeschool students will certainly enjoy as they learn important academic skills along the way.
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo and the study of Mexico using this unit that is strategically linked to the academic Core Standards.
Contents Include:
Literacy Activities
Cinco de Mayo: Attending to Key Detail in Text
The Sombrero Circle: Identifying High Frequency Words
Fiesta: Decoding Words With Blends, Digraphs, Silent E
Mexican Hat Dance: Fluently Reading Sight Word and CVC Sentences
Fill The Piñata: Segmenting Words
de Colores: Using Spanish Color Words
Mi Amigos: Writing CVC Words
Math Activities
Number Match: Matching Number to Quantity With Spanish Words
Party of Ten: Making Combinations of Ten
Jumping Beans: Finding Answers to Equations
Maraca Equations : Writing Equations
Cinco de Mayo Math: Adding and Subtracting
Math Journal: Ten Amigos in All
Writing
Mexico Word Wall
Writing Prompts: Mexico
Guided Reading Books
Cinco de Mayo
Science
Mexican Jumping Beans
Dramatic Play
Fiesta Supply Store
Kitchen
dulce de leche
Art Projects
Tissue Paper Flowers
Flowing Head Dress
Mexican Vest
Mexican Hat
Paper Bag Maraca
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo and the study of Mexico using this unit that is strategically linked to the Common Core Standards.