Schema (Anne Evans)
Show students the
symbol for join/connect in sign language.
(Hook two index fingers together.)
Students put one
hand on their head for what’s in their head.
They hold out the
other hand for what’s in the book.
Join the fingers
together to connect what’s in their head and what’s in the book to make a
schema.
*Talk about a
hands-on way to do Core Standards!
Author’s Wax
Museum (Kristy Gerald)
This is a great
alternative for dressing up at Halloween.
Each student chooses a book and a character they want to be. They have to do a book report and
memorize the author’s purpose, setting, etc. They get to dress up like their favorite character and when
the teacher pushes an imaginary button they come to life. Parents are invited.
Word Friends (Sam Hart)
Put a word wall or
vocabulary word in a nametag. Pick
one child and tell they class they are leaving. Take that child out in the hall and put the word on them. Return to the classroom and introduce
that child as their new friend (word).
The children call that child by the word all day.
Super Smart
Science Glasses (Jane Harris)
Ask parents to
send in safety glasses (or get a business to donate). When you do science activities let the kids wear their “super
smart glasses.”
Race to 100
Partner Activity (Heather
Classen)
Each child will
need a blank 100’s board, a pair of dice, and a crayon. One child rolls a set, adds the amount,
and then colors that many squares on their grid. The next partner then has a turn. The first person to fill in the whole grid wins! This reinforces addition, number
recognition, graphing, and counting by tens.
Hint! At the top of each column write 10, 20,
30, etc.
Naturalist Hat
(E. Roberson)
Cut out the center
of a paper plate so a bowl will fit to make a hat. Decorate and punch two holes in the sides so you can tie on
yarn and use as a hat for field observations.
Vowel Cheer (Erin Muffler)
(Children repeat
each line.)
Give me an A.
Give me an E.
Give me an I.
Give me an O.
Give me a U.
A E
I O U
Vowels say their
names.
Meteorologist (Erin Muffler)
During morning
meeting let the meteorologist of the day check the weather using
“binoculars.” (The binoculars are
made by gluing two toilet paper tubes together and attaching a string.)
Number Cards (Jane Karman)
When making numeral cards, write the numerals close to the left side. That way students can overlay the numbers for place value.
Twizzlers (Sherry Hull)
Use drink stirrers
(from the dollar store) for popsicle stick books. These could be related to themes or seasons.
Birthday
Cake (Angel Frierson)
After having your
birthday celebration where they blow out the candles, let the children pretend
to eat the cake.
Tic-Tac-Toe (Susan Vandergriff)
You can use the
tic-tac-toe game to review any skill you are working on.
*Put popcorn words
on the grid. Students have to read
the word to put up an X or O.
(Lower students can just find a word and the higher students can
actually play strategically.)
*Use for math,
vocabulary, etc.
Mini Portfolio (Sherry Hull and Karen Guynes)
Cut the bottom of
a lunch bag as shown. Fold the bag
in half to fit under the flap. Add
a Velcro dot and children can store words, math flash cards, and other things
they are working on in the pocket.
A FEW MORE IDEAS
FROM THE TEXAS FIRST GRADE CONFERENCE IN AUSTIN!
Talk Time (Lu Mighell)
After an activity
ask children to find a friend and share with them their favorite thing about
what they learned, what a vocabulary word meant, etc. After a few moments direct them to find a new friend and
share something different.
Magnetic Bottle (Paula Alexander)
Cut pipe cleaners
into small pieces and put them in a plastic bottle. Let the children take a magnet and see how many pipe
cleaners they can attract. Count
and record.
Inequality
Spoons (Connie Coney)
Attach Velcro dots
to wooden ice cream spoons.
Children can use these for creating greater than and less than signs.
Early Finishers (Shannon Garcia)
You will need zip
pockets and a 24 pocket hanging chart for this project. Each pocket is labeled and numbered
with an activity inside. When
children finish their work they grab a zip pocket and take it to their
desk. Super easy, fun, and QUIET!
Deciduous Trees (Sandra Kelley)
(Tune: “Do Your Ears Hang Low?)
Do your leaves fall
down?
Do they tumble to
the ground?
Do you loose your
leaves in the fall?
Then you are
deciduous, that we know
Because you lose
your leaves in the fall.