STICK TO IT!

Ever heard of the KISS principle? Keep It Simple Sticks! Here are some hands-on tools to engage children in reading, writing, math, games, and construction with inexpensive jumbo craft sticks.


Pointers 

Glue a large googly eye to the end of a stick. Tell children to “keep their eye” on the word as they track a line of print.
*Can their eye find the capital letter at the beginning of the sentence?
A word wall word they can read? A noun?
*Fake jewels and other small objects can also be used to make pointers.

*Children can "kiss their brains" with the heart.

Space Man 

Glue a picture of a space man on a stick. Children can use “space man” between their words as they write.

Comprehension Sticks 

Write “Who?” “What?” “Where?” “When?” “Why?” on sticks and insert them in a sock. Throw the sock over your shoulder before reading to prompt the children to be active listeners. After reading the story, let children choose a stick and tell that part.

*You could also write “author, illustrator, title, beginning, middle, end” or “characters, setting, problem, resolution.”

Math Sticks 

Use the sticks for making sets, counting, tally, creating shapes, addition, subtraction, patterning, and so forth. They can also make bundles of ten (rubber band ten sticks together) and use them to demonstrate place value.

Games 

Use sticks to make game pieces. Write skills on most of the sticks and write “BOOM!” on two or three. Place in a can. Children take turns drawing sticks and reading the information. If they choose “BOOM!” they must return all their sticks back to the can.

*Fiddlestick is a similar game. Color the ends of the sticks different colors. Write skills on the sticks. Place the sticks with the colored end in the can. Choose a color. Pass the can around, and if a child chooses the designated color they yell, “Fiddlestick” and return all their sticks to the can.

Skill Sticks 

Instead of flash cards, write skills (letters, numbers, words, math facts,
phrases, vocabulary, etc.) on sticks.

                                       

Puppets 

Use children’s photos, drawings, or magazine people to make puppets children can use to retell a story, role play, or in other creative ways. 

Construction Sticks

Give children sticks, tape, clay, glue and see what those little engineers can create.