Welcome to Buddy Project: The Next Generation of Teaching and Learning

• site map
• about us
• contact

• entire sitebackpackscaperslesson plans

Family Literacy Backpacks

Family fun and learning are promoted through take-home, theme-focused backpacks. Ideas for materials and activities which can be included in these great backpacks are provided.

Outdoor Fun

Caution: Before using these materials for student activities and backpacks, check all weblinks to ensure they are active and appropriate for student and family use. Visit our template and help page which explains how to download a template then copy activities from this website to create your own, unique backpack. If you use these materials, please give appropriate credit to the authoring schools. Thank you!

Nicholson Elementary

Crawfordsville Community Schools
Crawfordsville, IN

Download Files:

Activity File Resource File

Adobe Acrobat Reader, a free program, is required to view these files.

English/Language Arts Academic Standards

Reading Comprehension

Reading Vocabulary

Family Activities

Family Fun Ideas

• Go to a state park for the day and explore.
• Have a camp-out in your backyard with your family or friends.
• Take a hike on the rails to trails.

Crinkleroot’s Guide to Knowing Animal Habitats Book Activities

• Art Activity
  Draw an animal from the book that you would like to catch.
• Language Activity
  Write about a time you went hiking in the woods.
• Hands-on Activity
  Go outside and see how many animals you can find in your backyard.

Three Days on a River in a Red Canoe Book Activities

• Art Activity
  Map a pretend map of your trip in a canoe.
• Language Activity
  List the things you would bring if you were going to spend three days in a canoe.
• Hands-on Activity
  Help your mother prepare a meal you could eat outdoors.

Arthur’s Camp-out Book Activities

• Language Activity
  Plan your own campout.
• Art Activity
  Draw a picture of something that scared Arthur and might scare you.
• Hands-on Activity
  With your parents help roast hot-dogs and marshmallows on the open fire.

Never Cry “ARP” Book Activities

• Art Activity
  Draw your favorite story in the book.
• Writing Activity
  Illustrate your favorite event in the book.

Books to Include

Arthur’s Camp-out By Marc Brown - Ages 7-10 Crinkleroot’s Guide to Knowing Animal Habitats By Jim Arnosky - Ages 8 & older Never Cry “ARP” By Patrick F. McManus - Ages 10 and up Three Days on a River in a Red Canoe By Vera B. Williams - Ages 8 & older

Web Sites for Fun

Educational in Nature http://www.gp.com/EducationalinNature/ Developed for grades 4-5, this is a series of environmental education curriculum supplements designed to foster understanding and environmental awareness in the classroom. Just for Kids Forest Service http://www.fs.fed.us/kids/ Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl have their hearts set on motivating kids to form healthy, lasting relationships with nature.

List of Additional Resources

Puzzles & Games

Stuffed Monkey toy for all ages

Videos

My First Nature Video By Sony Kids Video

Resource Link

If you are thinking of creating a literacy backpack for outdoors, here are suggested resources you can include in your backpack: outdoors resources.