Jurassic Park Classroom Transformation: A Time Travel Project

Do you want to time travel to Jurassic Park? You can with this Jurassic Park Classroom Transformation! As the school year comes to an end, teachers are often on the lookout for ways to keep students engaged while still meeting curriculum goals. One creative way to wrap up the year is by transforming your classroom into an exciting, immersive experience that students will never forget. This Jurassic Park room transformation is the perfect way to get students excited about learning while also allowing them to explore a fascinating topic: dinosaurs! Not only does this activity encourage collaboration and student agency, but it also makes learning fun.

In this blog post, I’ll take you through the steps of my Jurassic Park classroom transformation, along with details on how this activity helped to decrease behaviors and increase student engagement, collaboration, and presentation skills. If you’re looking for an exciting way to end the school year, this is the perfect classroom transformation to try!

Setting Up the Jurassic Park Classroom

To make the Jurassic Park classroom transformation as immersive, I focused on creating an environment that felt like a real-life adventure. Here’s how I set up the room:

1. Chart Paper Dinosaurs
   The first thing I did was create large, colorful dinosaur cutouts using chart paper. I traced various dinosaur shapes, including T. rex, Brachiosaurus, and Velociraptor. These were placed around the room, giving the feeling that the classroom was surrounded by giant prehistoric creatures. These dinosaurs didn’t just serve as decor.
2. Table Setup as Jeeps
   To enhance the feeling of a real safari, I transformed the student tables into “jeeps.” I turned each desk into a jeep that the students could “drive” through the dinosaur age. This not only made the students feel like they were on a safari adventure. It also encouraged them to take ownership of their workspaces.
3. Hanging Vines and Dinosaurs
   I hung green vines and faux plants around the room, simulating a jungle environment. This not only looked great but also provided the students with a sense of adventure and discovery. I also printed out small flying dinosaurs, like Pterosaurs, and hung them from the ceiling with string. These floating creatures added movement and life to the space, making it feel like the room was truly alive.
4. Safari Version of Myself
   One of the most fun parts of this transformation was creating a safari version of myself. I placed it on the wall in front of the classroom as though I were the tour guide. The students loved seeing their teacher in a fun context and it added a personal touch to the classroom environment.

Assigning Groups and Researching the Dinosaur Age

Once the classroom was transformed, it was time for the real learning to begin. I divided the students into groups, each of which was assigned a specific time period from the dinosaur age to research. These groups were responsible for finding detailed information about their assigned dinosaurs, including their habitat, diet, size, and other fun facts. This research not only helped them learn about the different types of dinosaurs but also allowed them to dive deeper into historical and scientific inquiry.

Each group was provided with a note-catcher, a graphic organizer designed to help them collect important details during their research. This tool helped students stay organized and ensured they gathered relevant information that would later be used in their group presentation. The groups worked together to research their dinosaurs, collaborate on filling out their note-catchers, and discuss the key points they would want to present.

Creating the Presentations

The next step in the Jurassic Park classroom transformation was for each group to create a PowerPoint presentation on their assigned dinosaur. This activity encouraged students to practice their digital literacy skills while also fostering teamwork and public speaking. The students worked together to design their slides, using the information they gathered during their research. This portion of the activity was vital in helping students practice their collaboration skills and allowed them to take ownership of their learning by creating a presentation that they would later share with the class.

The presentations were designed to cover the following elements:

• The dinosaur’s name and time period it lived in.
• Physical characteristics, such as size, shape, and unique features.
• Habitat and diet
• Interesting facts about the dinosaur.
• Why the dinosaur went extinct

Not only did the students work together to fill out their note-catchers and create their slides, but they also practiced presenting their information. This provided a great opportunity for them to work on their public speaking skills, as they had to present their findings to the rest of the class in a clear and engaging manner.

The Big Day: Traveling Back in Time

The day of the Jurassic Park classroom transformation arrived, and it was time to present the projects. To make this day even more exciting, I donned a blow-up dinosaur costume (from Amazon) and played the role of a park ranger taking the students on a safari adventure. As I “traveled back in time,” I led the class through the different dinosaur eras and facilitated their group presentations.

The students took turns presenting their projects to the class, and I made sure to give each group plenty of time to share their findings. The group presentations were creative and informative, and the students had so much fun learning about each other’s research. The classroom was buzzing with energy as students excitedly shared their knowledge about dinosaurs, while the transformation kept them actively engaged in the lesson.

Why This Jurassic Park Room Transformation Works

This Jurassic Park classroom transformation was a hit for several reasons:

1. Increased Student Engagement
   The classroom environment was transformed into an exciting and immersive experience that captured the students’ attention and kept them engaged throughout the activity. They were excited to be a part of something fun and unique, which helped them stay focused on their learning.
2. Boosted Student Agency
   By giving the students responsibility for researching and presenting their assigned dinosaurs, they were able to take charge of their own learning. This boosted their sense of ownership and agency, which led to greater enthusiasm and participation in the activity.
3. Decreased Behaviors
   Students were so absorbed in their work that there was less room for off-task behavior. The excitement of presenting their research and exploring the world of dinosaurs helped keep everyone focused and motivated.
4. Collaboration and Teamwork
   Working in groups helped students learn the value of teamwork and collaboration. They had to communicate, share ideas, and work together to complete their research and presentations. This not only helped them improve their social skills but also fostered a sense of community within the classroom.

It’s Your Turn Now!

A Jurassic Park classroom transformation is a fantastic way to engage students in meaningful learning while having fun! It’s the perfect end-of-year activity that combines creativity, collaboration, and student agency. By transforming your classroom into a time-traveling adventure, you’ll create lasting memories for your students.

So, if you’re looking for an exciting way to wrap up the year, try out this Jurassic Park classroom transformation. Your students will love the adventure, and you’ll love how it fosters curiosity, teamwork, and a love for learning!