Switch up a typical day at school to a boot camp that not only tests students’ math skills but gives them a fun experience while learning! The Boot Camp Classroom Transformation really helped my students practice their math skills and gain more confidence in themselves. Students get to challenge themselves while having fun at the same time. This transformation aligns with common core standards.
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If you’re looking for ways to make more meaningful connections to math in the real world, then look no further! Students will embark upon a day boot camp while practicing a difficult math concept at the same time. Below is a step-by-step explanation of how I execute my classroom transformations.
Which Grade Level Do You Need?
Kindergarten Subitizing Boot Camp Classroom Transformation
1st Grade Addition and Subtraction within 10 Boot Camp Classroom Transformation
2nd Grade Addition and Subtraction Facts within 20 Boot Camp Classroom Transformation
3rd Grade Multiplication Facts Boot Camp Classroom Transformation
4th Grade Factors and Multiples Boot Camp Classroom Transformation
5th Grade Math Review Boot Camp Classroom Transformation
BOOT CAMP CLASSROOM TRANSFORMATION: SETTING UP
Setting up the classroom is the first thing I do to make this classroom transformation look real. I found army boot camp helmets for my kids to wear while they completed the challenges. Next, I put up boot camp posters and decorations. I love to put decorations in my classroom whenever we complete this room transformation because it really sets the scene and gets my kids excited for the day! Students could work individually or in pairs for this challenge. I encouraged them to work in pairs to make it a little easier on them. Teamwork meant they got to help each other with their math facts. I personally required students to work with a different partner on each challenge so they were able to work with all of their peers.
BOOT CAMP: 2 VERSIONS
This is a little different than the rest of my classroom transformations because there are 2 versions! Students can either recite their facts OR practice their facts on paper–choose whichever version works best for you!
HERE’S HOW VERSION 1 WORKS:
In the first version, students can recite their facts to the teacher. Students grab a practice paper and practice facts with a friend for a few minutes. When they feel ready, they head over to the teacher station for a quick quiz. If they can recall all 12 facts in a minute (or whatever time limit you set), they get to move on to another challenge!
HERE’S HOW VERSION 2 WORKS:
In the second version, students aren’t reciting their facts. They are practicing a different set of facts at each station. Challenge #4 helps students practice their 4 facts, Challenge #2 helps students practice their 2 facts, and so on.
BOOT CAMP CLASSROOM TRANSFORMATION CHANCE CARDS:
Every time students passed a math challenge, they got to draw a chance card out of a bucket. It might say something like, “Do 10 jumping jacks”, “Do 5 push-ups”, or my favorite, “Complete the Obstacle Course.”
The obstacle course was made up of items in my classroom that I laid in order around the room. I explained to my students before we started that if they grabbed the right chance card, they would complete the obstacle course around the room. This meant crawling under some desks, hopping through tires, weaving around chairs, and walking on top of something. This was definitely my class’s favorite part of the room transformation!
BOOT CAMP CLASSROOM TRANSFORMATION CERTIFICATES:
The ones who finish early could complete the early finisher activity as well! Students looked for the QR codes around the room and learned fun facts about the army after scanning them. They also get a certificate for completing all the challenges.
This classroom transformation would also be great for students at the beginning of the year. Teachers would be able to get an idea of how well their students remembered their math facts from the previous grade.
“Extras” certainly aren’t needed for room transformations, but they can be super fun if you want to include them! If you want to add any extras, you may like some of these ideas.
I also offer all room transformations in a DIGITAL format! This means students can complete the challenges on Google Slides if you’d like to save on paper. The QR codes/fun facts also come in a digital game format that students can complete and copy down online. You can learn more about how to do a digital room transformation here.
You may also find this post on Classroom Transformation Tips helpful. It lists my top 10 tips for making your classroom transformation easy and stress-free.
Want to see more classroom transformations in action? Follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, or TikTok to see more!
