Keeping children focused and on task this time of year can be a challenge. Here are a few tricks that might help.
If You’re Ready… (Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
If you’re ready to get started say, “I am.”
If you’re ready to get started say, “I am.”
If you’re not you’re going to miss a lot,
So let’s get started right now.
Ready Chant
Teacher says: Is everybody ready?
Children respond: Yes mam or no mam – or yes sir or no sir
(If children respond "no," then keep saying, “Is everybody ready?” until everyone responds "yes.")
End by spelling: R – E – A – D – Y – Ready! (Thumbs up in the air.)
Are You Ready? (Tune: “Where Is Thumbkin?”)
Are you ready?
Are you ready?
Yes, I am. (Children respond.)
Yes, I am.
Ready for (reading, math, PE or whatever).
Ready for (reading, math, PE or whatever).
Yes, I am. (Children respond.)
Yes, I am.
Smart Signals
Explain that your class will have some “smart signals” that no one else knows. When you say “one”, they should sit quietly.
When you say “two,” they need to put their hands in their lap.
On “three,” they look at the teacher and show they are ready to learn.
*Everybody wants to be smart!!!
And, I’m sure you’re ready for the end of the school year. Make a paper chain with the number of days left. Every day remove a link as you sing:
(number) days left of school this year.
(number) days left of school.
We’ll take one down
And then count down.
(number) days left of school this year.