Anticipatory Set: Helping Children Access Prior Knowledge
Rationale: This provides the opportunity for children to learn the new vocabulary in an authentic experience (creating a camping store) as well as provides opportunities for children to connect their prior knowledge in preparation for a real life event: a simulated camping trip. Not all children will have had the experience of going camping but all children have SOME
experience of being outdoors and the use of simple camping gear. Young children with disabilities may require extra time for theme preparation, therefore setting up a store and allowing them the opportunity to experience the use of props over time "sets the stage" for learning. This rationale is supported by brain-compatible instruction research.
OUTDOOR STORE
Place a variety of camping props in the Housekeeping Area a few days prior to formal introduction of the camping theme.
During large group time on first day of theme, ask children what new props were in the Housekeeping area
(flashlights, thermos, backpacks, caps, empty juice containers, water bottles, binoculars, etc).
Ask the children if they need those items in the classroom?
Have children brainstorm where they could use these items (outdoors).
Ask children if they would like to go on a pretend camping trip.
Before they go on a trip they must have the right equipment to go camping.
Tell the children that they need to open up a camping store so they can buy the right gear.
Have children brainstorm what they could bring in from home to open up their store (go to Camping Gear for ideas).
Turn the Housekeeping areas into a Camping Store and add props as children bring in different items.
Allow children to organize the store, have pretend money, mirror and pretend counter for display of items. Give the children many opportunities to role-play, explore and have fun with the props. This should be for at least three or four days.
Gradually add camping songs and stories during circle time. This "sets the stage" for children to be prepared for the camping adventure.
