Saturday, February 11, 2012

TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD...


Sharing Good News
This is such an incredible idea from Jessica Williams that I’d sure “borrow” it if I were still in the classroom!  Jessica decorates a “Good News” jar that holds popsicle sticks with every child's name.  She starts every morning by sharing her own “good news.”  The children clap or cheer for her.  Next, she pulls a stick and the class sings, "Tell me something good!"  That child shares their good news and then the class does a cheer.  The teacher pulls the second stick and they sing, "Tell me something good" and then cheer.  She does three children each day.  She puts those who have had a turn in an envelope and then they start all over again when everyone has had a turn.

Jessica says this gives the children a chance to know each other, practice speaking skills, and it helps her be aware of important things in their lives
(new shoes, baby born, etc.).

Shopping Game
Carol Kellher places a box of small items in her lap.  She writes a three letter word about one of the objects and the children have to blend the sounds and say the word.  The teacher then responds,  "Yes, you bought a HAT" as she pulls the item from the box.  She also lets the children use the shopping box to play with each other at choice time.

A Ram Sam Sam Song
Rhondi Kreger adapts this traditional song for children’s names. 
A ram sam sam
A ram sam sam
Goolie goolie goolie goolie goolie
Ram sam sam 
(Repeat)
A raffi, a raffi,
Goolie goolie goolie goolie goolie
Ram sam sam
(Repeat)
Use children's names:
John John John
John John John
Lisa Lisa Lisa Lisa Lisa
John John John
Fiona Fiona
Lisa Lisa Lisa Lisa
John John John…