Upland Heights teachers Erin Henson, CaSandra Schneider, and Kristin Mazurek used the safari theme to better engage their fourth grade reading students in their lesson about text features.

“As the students entered their classrooms, they saw the rooms were transformed into jungles,” Henson said. “This one added detail engaged them instantly. The students were hooked, eager, and geared up in their safari hats and binoculars, and were ready to participate in our Text Feature Safari.”

Students were then able to use their knowledge about text features to complete the safari.

“One of the big things that we have been discussing is how we are reading to learn,” Henson said. “Being able to find the text features and know the reasoning behind their use helped them to be successful in understanding the non-fiction text.”

Henson said that projects like this are so special for students.

“As a fourth grade team, math and reading, we love to incorporate room transformations,” Henson said. “We do room transformations after students have been taught a specific TEK to show mastery of their learning. These classroom transformations help students connect to the learning on a different level.”