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...to our Take Home
Exploration Packs
Take Home Exploration Packs
are thematic, content related collections of fiction and non-fiction books,
with accompanying activities.
Their
purpose is to get families more involved and excited about their child's
budding capabilities. They are meant to supplement, enhance and extend our
curriculum while providing opportunities to practice acquired skills and
knowledge.
Each pack
contains 2-4 books, a journal related to the pack's focus, a hands-on activity
involving manipulatives as needed, an educationally based game or activity, a
craft if appropriate and a parent letter explaining the pack's objectives.
Scroll down
to view some helpful links and read the descriptions ofsome of our Home
Exploration Packs.
 Rotating
the Exploration Packs
The following is the
schedule I have used successfully:
+On Monday
each child picks an Exploration Pack to take home for the week. Some, such
as the Birthday Tote, are one night packs and are returned the following day.
+Each
child shares their chosen Exploration Pack with their family by reading the
books and completing activities associated with their pack.
+A journal
entry is required to record a variety of writing tasks specific to each pack.
+The Home
Exploration Packs are returned each Thursday.
+Those
children who are willing, are encouraged to share something from the pack they
took home. Sharing will take place during our Class Meetings on Thursday &
Friday of each week. In the event that a pack is not returned, the child is
unable to take another home until it is returned. Also, parents are notified
if an item is missing. In the 7 years that I have used these homework bags I
have lost very few items.
Helpful Sites
Many of these links were
the starting point for my adventure into creating my own Take Home Exploration
Packs. Hopefully, you will find something that will start you on this same
adventure.The possibilities are endless and can be tailored to any classroom
need.
Mrs.
Hick's Take Home Bags
Book
Bags
Buddy
Project
KinderPonds
Discovery Packs
Family
Projects & Take Home Bags
Discovery
Packs
Teachers
Bags, Books and Beyond
This
site has ready made take home, literature packs that are adorable! You must at
least take a look.
Teacher
Made Creations
This
is another site with ready made bags to purchase.
 Our
Take Home Exploration Packs
I'm in the reorganizing
stage. I'll be busy adding new totes this summer, as well as making needed
changes to existing bags. I'll update photos as they become available. The
following are samples of the Exploration Packs I will be using in first grade.
Some I've made myself while others have been purchased either through grants,
parent donations or personally.
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