Sutter’s Creek might not
have much gold any more, but the fields around Merced, CA, have another kind of
gold…fruits, vegetables, almonds, grapes…as far as the eye can see! Although I live thousands of miles from
there, I bet my grocery store is full of their bounty! The central valley of California is also an special place for children to "grow." I was impressed by how the MCOE (County office of Ed), First 5 Merced, GAEYC, Merced City Schools, Atwater Elementary School, and Head Start collaborate to make it a better world for children! It's a reminder to all of us that the only way we can really make a difference is to hold hands and work together!
Kiss Your Brain
(Deana Abraham)
Mar Harmon wrote this song
several years ago. Deana has come
up with some great motions. She
says they always sing this song before testing to get the children “pumped up”!
Kiss your brain! Kiss your brain! (Kiss fingers, touch head, hand in
air.)
It’s something you can
do. (Point to students.)
Kiss your brain! Kiss your brain!
When you feel proud of
you! (Arms up like muscles.)
You’ve done something you’ve
never done before, (Shake head and
shrug.)
You’re feeling good about
it. (Hug self.)
You are thinking, “Good job,
me!”
And you want to shout
it. (Hands over head and wiggle
fingers.)
So…Kiss your brain! Etc.
You wrote a book all by
yourself. (Open palms like a
book.)
You learned on the
computer. (Wiggle fingers as
if typing.)
You played checkers with
your mom, (Pretend to move
checkers on a board.)
And you beat her! (Fist up in air.)
So…Kiss your brain! Etc.
You can kiss your brain
‘cause you feel good. (Hug self.)
You can kiss your brain
‘cause you’re smart. (Finger to
head.)
You can kiss your brain
‘cause you’re learning.
You can kiss your brain with
a happy heart! (Hands to
chest and extend.)
So…
Family Pages (Dana
Hale)
Provide each family with a
file folder (cut to the size of the laminating machine). Send it home with a note asking parents
to make copies of special family pictures (such as people, pets, events, mom
and dad at work, etc.) and glue them to the folder. Ask them to label the pictures. (No glitter or puffy paints,
please.) Laminate these and use
them throughout the year to talk about their home, relate to community helpers,
develop oral language, etc.
Time for Lunch (Linda Marvin)
(Tune: “Frere’ Jacques)
Time for lunch.
Time for lunch.
Let’s get ready.
Let’s get ready.
I’m getting very hungry.
I’m getting very hungry.
How about you?
How about you?
Shout Out (Lynn
Stapp)
When you work on a letter,
do a “shout out” for the child whose name begins with that sound. For example:
Aubrey says…
Give me an A (class
responds A)
Give me a U (class responds U), B…R…E…Y
What’s that spell? (class responds Aubrey)
Aubrey, Aubrey, give a
cheer.
We’re so glad that Aubrey
is here!
Yah!!!
Secret Hands (Melinda Ainslie)
Melinda said that when her daughter started kindergarten she came home from school and asked, “Mama, can you keep a secret? When you put your hands together like this (cross your fingers), it’s MAGIC because you can see better and hear better!”
To Peel a Banana (Anabella Felber)
Flip over a banana and pinch
the brown part on the end. Then you
can easily peel the banana.
Finally, eat and enjoy!
Waiting, Waiting (Anabella Felber)
When children need to speak
to an adult, but the adult is speaking to someone else, try this
technique. The child places her
hand on the adult’s arm and then the adult touches the child’s hand to
acknowledge them. When the adult
is able, she will speak to the child.
Treasure Box (Tyra Toney)
Put a mirror in the bottom
of a box. Pass it around during
circle time and tell the children to open the treasure box to see something
very special. Have them open it
up. It’s them!
3-D Movie Glasses (Carissa Stewart)
Save 3D movie glasses and
use them for games and dramatic play.
Name Game (Shirley
Winzer)
We are going to play a game
by using your name.
When I point to you just
introduce…
(Point to the child and
say..) What’s your name?
(The child says his or her
name.) Shirley!
Let’s say Shirley.
Shirley, Shirley, bo birley
Bonana nana foe farley
Fee fli mo mirley, Shirley!
Another One (Shirley Winzer)
Say, “I’m going to see if I
can trick someone!”
Head, shoulders, knees, and
toes.
Head, shoulders, knees, and
toes.
Eyes and ears and mouth and
nose.
Head, shoulders, knees, and
toes.
*Keep going faster and
faster.
Little Gray Pony
(Juanita Burns)
The little gray pony looked
out of his barn.
He wants to gallop and play.
The little gray pony looked
out of his barn.
He wants to gallop and play.
And gallop and gallop and
play. (clap, clap)
And gallop and gallop and
play. (clap, clap)
The little gray pony goes
back to his barn.
He wants to sleep on the
hay! (Lay head on palms.)