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…