End of Day Chant (Linda Wood)
Sit in a circle criss cross applesauce and start the chant with this rhythm:
Slap knees two times
Clap two times
Snap two times...
Child's name, child's name, what do you say?
What did you like (or learn) at school today?
Slap knees two times
Clap two times
Snap two times...
Child's name, child's name, what do you say?
What did you like (or learn) at school today?
*The child has to tell what they liked best that day. It’s a good way to recall what they learned as you reinforce oral language.
Focus Finger Play (Pat Kesler uses this before handwriting. It wires up the brain!)
Two tall telephone poles (Fists touching with index fingers pointing up.)
Across them a wire was strung. (Touch middle fingers.)
Two little birds hopped on ((Put thumbs up on middle fingers.)
And sung and sung and sung. (Swing fingers.)
Push the Wall
One teacher’s occupational therapist suggested that when children are waiting in the hall you tell them to put their hands on the wall and try to “push it down.” This builds upper body strength, releases energy, and focuses children’s attention.
Tummy Reading
Here’s another easy suggestion to help children build upper body strength. Let them do “tummy reading.” Children lay on their tummies and prop themselves up with their elbows as they read. Try it and see how it strengthens those arm and shoulder muscles.
Finger Math Game (Karen Rosenkranz)
This “show me” game can be used for math facts 1-10. The teacher says a number like “5” and holds up one finger. The children show 4 fingers to make "5". The teacher can easily see who knows the facts.
Noodle Sensory Fun (Kyle Kranes)
Cut fun noodles into sections and let the children roll on their back, arms, legs, belly. It’s a great cool down and brain break – and perfect for sensory kids.
Focus Finger Play (Pat Kesler uses this before handwriting. It wires up the brain!)
Two tall telephone poles (Fists touching with index fingers pointing up.)
Across them a wire was strung. (Touch middle fingers.)
Two little birds hopped on ((Put thumbs up on middle fingers.)
And sung and sung and sung. (Swing fingers.)
Push the Wall
One teacher’s occupational therapist suggested that when children are waiting in the hall you tell them to put their hands on the wall and try to “push it down.” This builds upper body strength, releases energy, and focuses children’s attention.
Tummy Reading
Here’s another easy suggestion to help children build upper body strength. Let them do “tummy reading.” Children lay on their tummies and prop themselves up with their elbows as they read. Try it and see how it strengthens those arm and shoulder muscles.
Finger Math Game (Karen Rosenkranz)
This “show me” game can be used for math facts 1-10. The teacher says a number like “5” and holds up one finger. The children show 4 fingers to make "5". The teacher can easily see who knows the facts.
Noodle Sensory Fun (Kyle Kranes)
Cut fun noodles into sections and let the children roll on their back, arms, legs, belly. It’s a great cool down and brain break – and perfect for sensory kids.
Noodle Writing
Give children sections of noodles and let them use these to do invisible writing in the air. They can make shapes, write letters, write numerals, spell words, and so forth.
Eye Ball Stories (Penny Salvato)
Note! If you read this far down on my blog today you're going to love this story. I don't know if Penny is still teaching, but I'd love to be a kid in her class because she's got such a wonderful sense of humor.
Penny said before making eye pointers she uses two stories to explain how she collected the eyeballs to make the pointers.
Penny said before making eye pointers she uses two stories to explain how she collected the eyeballs to make the pointers.
1. When kids play rough on the playground and lose an eye I collect them.
2. I also collect eyes from “bad” kids and put them on sticks.
2. I also collect eyes from “bad” kids and put them on sticks.