If I can turn my classroom into a bat cave, then trust me, so can YOU! I'm the type of teacher who loves to go on Pinterest and pin, pin, pin away but nothing ever comes to fruition. That is how I know you can do this in about a hundred easy steps (as teachers we can bang out 100 steps into an hour).
Bat Cave Step 1: Black, plastic, tablecloths.
I bought them at Walmart for 97 cents each. I bought 3 to cover the long "tables" of desks, 6 to cover the windows, 2 to cover the entryway and a couple extra for whatever. I could have returned the "whatever" tablecloths but my very talented husband decided to create an oversized bat that "flew" when the air conditioner kicked on. cost: $8 - $15
I'm sure my husband, Justin will be thrilled he is in this picture.
Bat Cave Step 2: Ridiculously oversized bat (optional)
To make the bat, cut a tablecloth diagonally. You will use these for the wings. To make the body, use a rectangular piece of tablecloth to wrap up newspaper. To make the head, crumple some newspaper and wrap the table cloth around it. My kids made the decorations on the bat.
Bat Cave Step 3: Glow sticks and flashlights.
I bought enough glow necklaces for each student. Again, I got mine at Walmart but you could probably get them cheaper online. I borrowed flashlights from everyone I could. One quick Facebook post, and they came flooding in. cost: $5.00
Bat Cave Step 4: Bat Plans
I know, I know, this should be Bat Cave Step #1 but I'm just going to be real...decorations came first.
ELA - We used our flashlights to read an article in Time for Kids about bats. They completed a main idea and details graphic organizer.
Writing -Students began a multi-paragraph essay responding to the text.
Math - Students worked on bat themed division task cards.
Science - Each student received one toothpick, and Almond Joy, and a recording sheet. We pretended students found fossilized bat brains. They had to work with their partner to figure out ways to get the bat brain out of the rock (almond out of the candy) without touching the rock with anything except the toothpicks. Each person could only use one toothpick at a time.
After digging for bat brains. We had such a fun day in the Bat Cave! With a couple plastic tablecloths, some glow sticks, and a few flashlights, you too can have a "batastic" day!
