SMALL MOTOR CENTERS

Keep those little hands busy with these materials.

Cookie Cutters
Materials: cookie cutters, pencils, scrap paper, scissors

Children trace around the cookie cutters on scrap paper and then cut out with the scissors.



Children can hole punch and then use the shapes to make ornaments or a necklace.

Paper Plate Sewing Cards
Materials: holiday plates, hole punch, yarn

Punch holes around the outside of the plates. Let children “sew” yarn through the holes.

*You can also make sewing cards out of old greeting cards.

Play Dough Writing

Let children make a pancake with the play dough and then write with a golf tee. This will strengthen those little fingers as they practice writing letters, numbers, shapes, words, etc.

Bells
String bells on pipe cleaners and string to make jewelry.



Gifts for the Birds
Materials: pipe cleaners, cereal with holes

Let children string cereal on pipe cleaners. Twist the ends to make a circle and hang outside for the birds.


Cut It Out
Materials: catalogs and advertisements

Put catalogs, coupons, advertisements, etc. in a center with scissors, glue, and paper.
Children can cut out objects they would like to “get or give” and glue them on a paper.

HOLIDAY LEARNING CENTERS

While you're out shopping this weekend, stop at the Dollar Store and pick up some holiday "treats" you can use for learning centers and games.

Match and Memory

Materials: stickers or gift cards, heavy paper cut in 3 1/2” squares

Attach 2 of each different sticker to the squares. Younger children can use these as a matching game.

Older children can play a memory game with these by place them face down and turning over two at a time.



Fit Like a Puzzle

Materials: puzzle and frame, marker

Write an uppercase letter on each puzzle piece and a lowercase letter on the shape in the frame. As children match up letters they will complete the puzzle.

*Use for math facts, synonyms, number words, and other skills.

Foam Letters

Materials: gift bag, foam letters, paper, pencils

Place foam letters in the gift bag. Children draw a letter, write the letter, and then draw something or write a word that starts with that sound.

*Hide the letters in the classroom for children to find. Can they get with a friend and make a word with their letters?


Silly Glasses

Materials: silly glasses, paper, pencil, clipboard

Children walk around the room and write words they can read.

*Can they find a word for each letter of the alphabet?

*For a partner project let one child wear the glasses. The friend takes a pointer and points to words for their friend to read.

Book Presents (Danielle Underwood)
Wrap holiday books up like presents. Randomly choose a name out of a popsicle tin and let that child unwrap the present. After reading the book, display it for the children to look at during free time.

Holiday Brain Breaks (Sharon Smith)
Have the children stand and in place and

Melt like a snowman…
Waddle like a penguin…
Twinkle like a Christmas tree…
Prance like a reindeer…
Laugh like Santa...
Smile like an elf...

*Adapt for different seasons and themes.

Here's a video I did several years ago where I demonstrate the activities for December:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JT6ZaiWeiVs

A DAY OF BLESSINGS

I am grateful for you! I am not sure who wrote this or where it came from, but it just seemed appropriate on this Thanksgiving Day.

Today is a day of blessing.

I bless you.

I bless your heart.

I bless your life.

I bless your health.

I bless your home.

I bless your family.

I bless your work.

I bless your spiritual life.

I bless your finances and all your projects!

May your day overflow with blessings!

With love,

Jean

COLOR YOUR DAY HAPPY!

I found this old blog with some ideas that might be new to you.

Did you know that you could buy washable "Window Markers" and "Chalk Markers" that will work on windows and mirrors. (I actually found these on Amazon.)  They would be great to put on a Christmas "wish list"!


As a teacher, here are some uses for the markers in your classroom:

Reading
Write letters, words, numerals, shapes, or anything you want to reinforce on windows or mirrors.
*Let children wear sunglasses and identify the information with a pointer.

Writing
Let children practice writing letters, numerals, spelling words, etc. on classroom windows.
* How about rainbow writing? Make giant letters, shapes, words, etc. on windows. Children can take the markers and trace around the figures with different colors.

Reward
Use these as a reward or when children finish their work early.

Reminders
Use the classroom mirror as a message board to write words of encouragement, reminders, or to celebrate accomplishments.

Special Days
Let children decorate classroom windows for holidays, seasons, themes, or other special events.

Brainstorm!
Write a word or theme and invite children to add their own thoughts to the window.

Sign In
Children can write their name or a special message when they come to school each morning.

Graffiti
What an open-ended art center this could be throughout the year!

Mirror! Mirror!
Write a sight word or vocabulary word on the mirror each day.

Write a positive thought on the mirror.

Let children decorate the mirror on their birthday.

TURKEY WIGGLES

I don't know about you, but I've got the Turkey wiggles this week. (That means I'm ready to get the Thanksgiving party started!!!) Here are some ideas that might help your children move, learn, and release their Turkey wiggles!

Jump

Jump as you read the words on the word wall, count to 100, and repeat other information.

*Children can also march or do other movements as they repeat skills.


Phonercise
Put your hands in the air and say the letter "A." Put your hands on your shoulders and make the /a/ sound. Touch your toes and say a word that starts with that sound. Continue going through the alphabet.

*Ask older children to say words that are nouns, verbs, or other parts of speech.


Stand Up
Simply asking the children to stand up gets blood going to the brain. They can stand up when they read, count, or review other information.


Air Writing
Ask children to make numerals, shapes, letters, or write words in the air with their "magic" finger.

Foot Writing
Use feet to write words, letters, answers to math facts, etc.

Pantomime
Have children stand and dramatize spelling words or vocabulary words.


Balancing Review
Have children stand. Can they balance on their right foot and count? Count by 2’s, 5’s, 10’s, etc.

*Can they balance on their left foot and read word wall words?

*Can they balance on their right foot and extend their left leg as they say the days of the week, months of the year, seasons, and so forth?

*Can they balance on their left foot and extend their right leg and read big books and classroom print?

*Can they balance on their toes and read big books and other classroom print?

OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS

Here is a song "memory" from when I was little girl many, many years ago. It's still a great song and a meaningful way to compare/contrast and talk an about the "olden days."

Over the River
(Traditional Tune)
Over the river and through the woods (Pretend to hold reins of a sleigh
To grandmother’s house we go. and drive as you bounce up and down.)
The horse knows the way (Put hands behind back and nod
To carry the sleigh like a horse.)
Through the white and drifted snow.
Over the river and through the woods, (Pretend to drive sleigh.)
Oh, how the wind does blow. (Wrap arms around self and shiver.)
It stings your toes and bites your nose (Touch nose and point to toes.)
As over the ground we go.

Through the country and cities far (Pretend to drive a car.)
In sun or wind or rain.
We might go by train (Pull down on train whistle.)
We might take a plane. (Fly hand like a plane in the air.)
Or maybe a bus or car. (Hold out right hand, then left.)
Through low valleys and mountains high (Look down low and then up.)
Now, grandmother’s house I spy. (Hand over eyes.)
Hurrah, for the fun! (One fist in the air.)
Is the turkey done?
Hurrah for the pumpkin pie! (Cheer with other fist.)

https://bit.ly/drJRiver

Comparisons

Use a Venn diagram to compare what it would be like to visit grandmother a long time ago and how we visit now. How are things the same? How are they different?

Graphs 

Make a graph of how they will travel to their Thanksgiving dinner. Car? Plane? Train? Bus? Boat? Stay at home!

Olden Days
Bring in a rotary phone, typewriter, record player, and camera. (A note to parents might help you find one of these.) Talk about how they were used when their grandparents were kids. What do we use now instead?

*Hint! I think it's important for children to know what these items are because most of the books copyrighted before 2000 have pictures or reference them.




Family Celebrations
Holidays are a good time to talk about diversity. Not all families celebrate Thanksgiving, but most families do celebrate something. Ask children to bring in photos of celebrations they have in their home. Put their pictures together to make a class book.

THANKFUL WRITING

Do you need a few more activities to do this week? These books are a "timely" way to nurture nonfiction writing and gratitude!

Thankful Journal
Make a special journal for each child to use during the month of November. Several times a week ask them to draw, list, or write sentences about things they are grateful for. You can use napkins, paper plates, or a fork as shown.

Thankful Board
Designate a bulletin board or poster in the hall as your “thankful board.” Children can attach sticky notes or draw pictures of things they are thankful for.


Thankful for Friends
Jane Lake shared this idea with me several years ago. Fold 3 sheets of paper in half and staple. Children use one of the prompts below on each page of their book.

1. A good friend is…
2. I’m a good friend when…
3. What friends like to do together…
4. Symbols of friendship…
5. Names of my friends…

Thankful Song
(Tune: “Are You Sleeping?” Children repeat each line.)
I am thankful.
I am thankful.
Every day.
Every day.
For my friends and family.
For my friends and family.
Thanks I say!
Thanks I say!

SHOW ME THE MONEY

Money Tree

Does money really grow on a tree? Where does money come from? Why do you need money?

Brainstorm how you pay for things when you go to a store? Do your parents use dollar bills, their phone, credit cards? 

*Let children make play credit cards by cutting 2” x 3 ½” rectangles out of Styrofoam plates.

Money Song

* Note! One day I got a phone call from a mother who said I was making children "capitalists" and "greedy" with my song. I think sometimes adults take a little song too seriously. That being the case you can change the words to "Let's learn some more" instead of singing "I always want more."

Money Song (Tune: “Shortnin’ Bread”)
Chorus: I like money to buy things at the store. (Point to self.)
Money, money, money, (Open and close fists.)
I always want more! (Palms up and shake.)

A penny’s worth one cent. (Hold up 1 finger.)
A nickel’s worth five. (Hold up 5 fingers.)
A dime’s worth ten cents. (Hold up 10 fingers.)
A quarter’s twenty-five. (Open and shut hands for 25.)
Chorus

Lincoln’s on one cent.
Jefferson’s on five.
Roosevelt’s on ten cents.
Washington’s on twenty-five.
Chorus

A building’s on one cent.
A building’s on five.
A torch is on ten cents.
An eagle’s on twenty-five.
Chorus

Here's a video my webmaster made:
http://www.bit.ly/drjeanMoneySong

Note! All things change. Some of the coins minted now have different figures on them than in the song. Use this as a "teachable moment" to talk about the differences.

*For homework have children ask their parents if they know who is on the penny, dime, nickel, and quarter. They will be tickled to know something that their parents don't know!


Change Please

Draw four square on a file folder. Label with “penny,” “nickel,” “dime,” and “quarter.” Give children a coin purse with change and ask them to sort the coins. Can they count the total amount?

Rubbings
Have children do rubbings of coins. Tape coins under a sheet of paper and rub with the side of a crayon. (Roll tape and put it on the back of the coins to keep them from sliding around.) Who do they see? What’s it worth? 

*Let children examine coins with a magnifying glass. Encourage them to discuss details. How old is the coin?




Coin Value Song
Here's a clever song that Paris Garrett came up with to the tune of “Who Let the Dogs Out?”
Who let the penny out?
1, 1, 1, 1 (Hold up one finger.)
Who let the nickel out?
5, 5, 5, 5 (Hold up five fingers.)
Who let the dime out?
10, 10, 10, 10 (Both hands up.)
Who let the quarter out?
25, 25, 25, 25 (Two fingers on one hand and five fingers on the other.)

MORE/LESS/EQUAL

One math standard that many children struggle with is the ability to understand what is one more and one less. Let’s see what happens when we hop, sing, and move this standard.

Paper Clip (Parisa Ghannadan)
Make a number line on a sentence strip. Use a paper clip to slide to different numbers and the children can see what comes before and after.

Number Line Hop
Draw a number line with chalk on the carpet or use masking tape to make a number line on the floor. Choose different children to hop to a number. What is one less? What is one more?
*Let children roll one or two dice and then hop to that number. What is one more? Less?
*Call two children and ask each to stand on a different numeral on the number line. Which one is more? Which one is less?


Ruler Game
Give children a ruler to use as a number line. Have them point to the numbers as they count on the ruler. Can you find 6? What’s 1 more than 6? What is 1 less than 6?


More or Less Game
Make a grid similar to the one shown. Two children take turns making sets with unifix cubes in the middle section. Their partner has to make sets with “one more” and “one less.”

Counting on a Shoestring
Write numerals 0-20 on a cotton shoestring with a permanent marker. Insert a bead. Children move the bead as they count. They can clearly see what is one more and one less.

Ten Little Friends
Ten little friends (Hold up fingers.)
Went out to play (Wiggle.)
On a very bright
And sunny day.
And they took a little walk.
Walk, walk, walk. (Walk fingers in front of your body.)
And they had a little talk.
Talk, talk, talk. (Put fingertips together.)
They climbed a great big hill (Move fingers over your head.)
And stood on the top very still. (Keep hands still.)
Then they all tumbled down (Roll hands around and down.)
And fell to the ground.
We’re so tired, (Hold up fingers.)
They all said.
So they all went home
And went to bed.
10 – 9 – 8 – 7 – 6 – (Put down fingers one at a time as you
5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1. count backwards and lower your voice.)
Good night! (Lay head on hands.)

CALENDAR CHATS

Calendar chats can be a springboard for many math concepts, such as counting, addition, more, less, measurement, shapes, etc. Here are some ways to tie in math with your morning meeting.

*Hint!  Each month mark the calendar with days that have a special meaning for the children, such as birthdays, field trips, vacation days, etc. 

How Many?
Count how many boys. How many girls? How many altogether? Which is more? Which is less? How many ones and how many tens?

Operations
Think of equations that equal the date.

Vote
Vote on books, games, songs, and other favorites. Tally results and discuss more, less, and equal.

Before and After
How many days until the field trip?
What was yesterday? What is tomorrow?

Pattern
Make a pattern as you color in the days on the calendar.
Make patterns with the children by having them stand, sit, or do motions.
Clap hands and slap thighs in patterns for the children to extend.

Shapes
You will need a pointer for this activity. Insert different shapes in this song to the tune of “Do You Know the Muffin Man?”

Do you see a circle, circle, circle?
Do you see a circlesomewhere in the room?
Pass the pointer to a child who touches that shape and responds:
Yes, I spy a circle, circle, circle. Yes I spy a circlein the room.

*You can involve the whole group by letting them all get up and touch the shape mentioned in the song.

Comparing
Compare the number of children who were tie shoes and Velcro, who have pockets or no pockets, who walked to school or rode to school, etc.

Days of the Week (Tune: “The Addams Family” – Sing in sign language.)
Days of the week. Days of the week. (Snap fingers.)
Days of the week. Days of the week.
Days of the week.
There’s Sunday (Open palm and circle out.)
And there’s Monday, (Make an “m” and circle.)
There’s Tuesday (Make a “t” and circle.)
And there’s Wednesday, (Make a “w” and circle.)
There’s Thursday (Make an “h” and circle.)
And there’s Friday, (Make an “f” and circle.)
And then there’s Saturday. (Make an “s” and circle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JsfKTNAL50

*Point to the days on a calendar as you sing.

Macarena Months (Dance the Macarena as you sing.)
January, (Left arm out with palm down.)
February, (Right arm out with palm down.)
March, (Turn left palm up.)
April, (Turn right palm up.)
May, (Right hand on left shoulder.)
June, (Left hand on right shoulder.)
July, (Right hand on back of head.)
August, (Left hand on back of head.)
September, (Right hand on left front hip.)
October, (Left hand on right front hip.)
November, (Right hand on back right hip.)
December, (Left hand on back left hip.)
Then you turn around. (Turn around.)

http://bit.ly/drjeanMacarenaMonths

IT'S ABOUT TIME!

Even if "time" isn't in your standards, it's an integral part of all of our lives. This version of "Hickory Dickory Dock" is good for younger children because of the counting and rhymes. It can also be adapted for older students who are learning to tell time because they can use their arms like the hands on a clock as they sing.

Hickory Dickory Dock

Hickory dickory dock. (Palms together and tick tock back and forth.)

The mouse ran up the clock. (Wiggle fingers up in the air.)

The clock struck one, (Clap one time.)

The mouse ran down. (Wiggle fingers down.)

Hickory dickory dock.

Two – “Yahoo!” (Continue clapping the appropriate number of times.)

Three – “Whopee!”

Four – “Do more!”

Five – “Let’s jive!”

Six – “Fiddlesticks!”

Seven – “Oh, heavens!”

Eight – “Life’s great!”

Nine – “So fine!”

Ten – “We’re near the end.”

Eleven – “We’re sizzlin’.”

Twelve – “I’m proud of myself.”

*Here's a youtube video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQbBksJMjpg

*Make paper plate clocks and use to as you sing the song.

*Use your arms like the hands on a clock. Extend both arms over your head. On “one,” bring right arm down to the position of “one” on a clock. On “two,” bring right arm down to position of “two,” and so forth as you sing.

Digital Time - Place a digital clock by the wall clock in your classroom so children can associate both ways of telling time.

MATH MATS AND TEN FRAME

Math mats are a “hands on” way to give children concrete experiences with addition and subtraction. Trim a file folder to make a 12” square. Draw a line down the middle of the square as shown. Draw a line down the middle of the top section. Explain that the line in the middle is like the equal sign in an equation. What is on the top has to equal (be the same as) what is on the bottom. 

Note! Poker chips, small toys, natural items, small erasers, and other objects can be used with the math mat. You can also make smaller math mats from an 8" square.

HOW?
Addition
Demonstrate how to use counters to make a set in the top left section and a set in the top right section. Count. Pull down the objects into the bottom section and count how many altogether.

Subtraction
Use counters to demonstrate subtraction.

Missing Addend ”If I have 3 and I want 8, how many more do I need? Let’s put 8 in the bottom. Now, move 3 to the top. How many more do you think I’ll need?” Continue to let children move the counters to solve similar problems.

Note! Have children write the number sentence when you do these activities.



Hint! You can also use divided plates for adding and subtracting 2 numbers. Children will “eat this up” with dry cereal!


Math Bags
Children will be able to manipulate objects to demonstrate different number bonds with these math bags. You will need zip sandwich bags, permanent marker, small flat counters (buttons, poker chips, lima beans, glass pebbles).

HOW?
Draw a line down the middle of a bag with a permanent marker. Insert objects in the bag. Ask the children to count the objects in the bag. Slide the objects from one side to the other to make different combinations. Can they write down the different combinations?



TEN FRAME
A ten frame will give children another "hands-on" way to explore math concepts.
Note! Five, ten, and twenty frames are available to download on the internet.




Building Sets
Call out a number and demonstrate how to place the counters in the frame starting on the left. Remind them to always start with the first frame on the left.
*Turn the frame vertically to make sets.
*Can you place the counters in a different way?
*Have children count forwards and backwards on their frames.

Addition and Subtraction
Place counters for the first addend on the top row and the second addend in the bottom row. How many altogether?
*Take away counters for subtraction problems.

Double Frames
Extend to a double ten frame for building numbers to 20.

HI HO HI HO - ADDING WE WILL GO!

Math was always one of my favorite subjects as a child and as a teacher. If you keep it REAL and HANDS-ON you can introduce addition to younger children and then extend these activities for older students.

Hi Ho - Adding We Will Go (Tune: “The Farmer in the Dell”)
1 plus 1 equals 2 (Hold up fingers as you sing.)
1 plus 1 equals 2
Hi, ho, adding we’ll go. (Roll hands around.)
1 plus 1 equals 2


Hands Up Math
Trace around the children's fingers and cut out. Glue the palms to a sheet of paper. Do not glue the fingers because you want to be able to move them up and down to demonstrate addition and subtraction.

Hint! You might want to make this with one hand for the younger children.

Body Addition and Subtraction
Children stand and put their hands in the air as the teacher says a number. When they touch their heads the teacher says “plus” or “minus.” As they touch their waist the teacher says a second number. When the touch their knees everyone says “equals.” And when they touch their toes they say the answer to the math fact.

Adaptations: Tell number stories where children touch and tell the answer.


Addition Card Game (Stephanie Fowler)
Two children play this game with a deck of cards. The first child pulls two cards and adds them. The second child then pulls two cards and adds them. The child with the greater sum wins.


Magic Fingers
The teacher calls out a “magic number.” The teacher holds up numbers on one hand next to her chest. The children must hold up the correct number of fingers to equal the “magic number.”

Bear Hug Letter (Susan Finklestein, Montgomery, AL)
This has nothing to do with math, but it was such a clever idea I found when I was looking at old blogs that I thought you'd like it. Send home a note shaped like a bear that says, “My teacher is so proud of me. Give me a bear hug!”

Hurry back tomorrow for more hands-on math tools!