Here are a few more ideas “Made in Michigan.”
Name Plate Game (Kristen Nedroscik)
(Tune: “If You’re Happy”)
Write each child's name on a paper plate. Have students stand in a circle and place a few plates on the floor in the middle and sing:
If your name is on a plate pick it up. (clap, clap)
If your name is on a plate pick it up. (clap, clap)
If your name is on a plate then you're really, really great.
If your name is on a plate pick it up.
Dots (Lauren Cournoyer)
Fold paper in 6 sections and give children bingo dabbers. As you hold up dot cards children make that number in the boxes.
Dismissal Song
Sing the hokey pokey as you insert children's names to wash their hands.
For example:
You put Stacy in.
You take Stacy out.
Stacey goes to wash her hands…
To focus children’s attention have a bell that says “ring a smile.” When you ring it children stop talking and smile. (You can't smile and talk at the same time!)
Go to wildflowerramblings.com to download free Lego letter patterns.
You put Stacy in.
You take Stacy out.
Stacey goes to wash her hands…
To focus children’s attention have a bell that says “ring a smile.” When you ring it children stop talking and smile. (You can't smile and talk at the same time!)
Go to wildflowerramblings.com to download free Lego letter patterns.
Student Led Conferences (Kelly Tucker) Keep notebooks with children's accomplishments.
Color code by semester or trimester. For example, letters I know in the fall are orange, winter blue, etc.
Keep these in their book boxes so they can practice shapes, sight words, letters -they love to demonstrate what they've learned!
Kids write invitations to parents inviting them to the conference.
Have a practice day.
Kids learn to introduce their parents to their teacher.
Do goal setting. The kids tell parents their goal and then ask how they can help them with their goal.
*Set an additional conference if there's something serious that needs more time.
Teddy Bear Hunt (Kyra Burns)
Write alphabet letters on a set of paper bears. Let upper grade helpers tape the bears at eye level on the playground. After the children find the bears they can put them in order from A to Z or Z to A.
*On a rainy day tape letter bears around the gym.
Come back tomorrow for the letter bear pattern!