GREAT TEACHERS 123

HEY, HEY, WHAT DO YOU SAY?  IS THERE A NEW IDEA HERE FOR YOU TODAY?

Puppet Password
Have a class puppet that gives a password every day. For attendance, the children say the password instead of “here.” Select a password that is the subject for the day, such as “Pilgrims,” “winter,” etc. You could also use a sight word or a vocabulary word.
Use this chant to introduce the password:
Mr. Mouse, Mr. Mouse (or whatever your puppet is),
Oh, what do you say?
What is the password for today?
Pretend to let the puppet whisper the password in your ear. 

*You can also let the puppet go home with a student each weekend and come back Monday with a story and pictures. Keep the stories in a class book.

Hot Number! (Nola Faulkner)
The teacher picks a random number between 1-10. That’s the number that is the HOT NUMBER. Students stand in a circle and one by one count by ones from 1 – 10. The student who says the hot number can jump or cheer and then must sit down. Keep counting from 1-10 until one child is left.

Polite Partner Share (Meghan Burkholder)
Before reading a story, do questioning and partner talk. The kids turn to a partner and say:
Eyes to eyes.
Knees to knee.
It’s nice that you
Are partners with me.
After sharing their thoughts they thank each other. It’s also a great way to practice taking turns when talking.

McDonald’s Cheer (Michelle Sanders)
Ba, da, ba, ba, ba.
I’m loving it! (Arms overhead like the golden arches.)

Fun Rules (Jackie Fursman)
*Hoods cannot be worn unless it rains or snows inside the school.
*You can only run in the school if there’s an elephant or tiger chasing you.
*You can only lie down if “I” do.
*Ask three before me when I’m at the reading table.

1, 2, 3, Show Me! (Joy, Olathe, KS)
Using individual white boards the teacher asks a question and the children write a response. The teacher says, “1, 2, 3, show me!” Children quickly hold up their slate and show the teacher.
Sample questions: Write the number 15. Write the letter Mm. Write 5 tally marks. Write the number that comes between 2 and 4.

Three Star Sentences (Joy, Olathe, KS)
To help kids learn the mechanics of sentence writing they can earn 3 stars. They get a green for using a capital at the beginning; a yellow for spacing between words; a red star for punctuation.



Doubles Don’t Give Me Trouble (Sarah Jackson)
(Tune: “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad”)
1 + 1= 2, 2 + 2 = 4, 3 + 3 = 6, 4 + 4 = 8, 5 + 5 = 10, 6 + 6 = 12
Now I know my doubles,
They don’t give me any trouble!
7 + 7 =14, 8 + 8 = 16, 9 + 9 = 18, 10 + 10 = 20, 11 + 11 = 22, 12 + 12 = 24

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.

Friday Dance (Tarsha Walker)
Come on, everybody let’s take a chance. (Motion arm “come” as you move from left to right.)
It’s time to do the Friday dance. (Thumb over shoulder as you dance.)
Clap your hands (clap)
And stomp your feet. (stomp)
Come and do the Friday dance with me.
It’s Friday! (Throw arms in the air.)
It’s Friday! (Throw arms in the air.)
It’s Friday! (Throw arms in the air.)
YEAH!

Bubbles (Erin Yarborough)
To help children remember to walk quietly in the hall, tell them to hold a bubble in their mouths. When you get to your destination they can “pop” their bubbles.

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JUST A-SWINGING IN VICKSBURG, MISSISSI[[I 2013

What Is a Sentence (Jennifer Williams)
(Tune: “Where Is Thumbkin?”)
What is a sentence?
What is a sentence?
A complete thought.
A complete thought.
It starts with a capital letter.
It starts with a capital letter.
And ends with a punctuation mark.
And ends with a punctuation mark.


Show Me Punctuation (Jennifer Williams)
Teach children the following motions for punctuation marks.
. Hand out like “stop.”
? Shrug shoulders.
! Show muscles.
Teacher says a sentence, and the students show the correct punctuation.
I like to ride my bike. (Hand out STOP.)
Do you like to ride a bike? (Shrug shoulders.)
That’s a big snake! (Show muscles.)


Book Sort (Sheila Scott)
Use pictures from old book order forms to do the following:
*Children cut out pictures of books and sort into genres.
*Put books in ABC order.
*Make predictions about books.

Full body Listening (Gloria Pettitt)
Teacher says, “1, 2,3, eyes on me!”
“Full body listening!” 1. Feet on floor
2. Hands in lap.
3. Mouth closed.
4. Ears open.
5. Eyes on speaker.
Students show the action or point when saying the steps.

Envelope Puppets (Cybil Richmond)
Cut envelopes in half so you can insert your hand to make a puppet. Use in science to identify living/nonliving things, biotic/abiotic factors, physical/chemical properties, etc.

Sparkle Spelling Game (Gloria Pettit)
Students stand in a circle. The teacher says a spelling word. The students go around the circle saying one letter each. After they spell the word, the next student says the word. The next student gets “sparkled” (all students yell “sparkle” and that student sits down). Keep going until only one student is left.

Memory Game (Beverly Buice)
“I’m going on a grip and I’m going to take…”
The first student names something that starts with A. The next student repeats the sentence and the first answer. Then the second student adds something that starts with B. This continues until you get to Z. This game helps students develop listening skills, sequential order, and their memory.

Graphic Organizer Puzzle (Ashley Salina)
Make a puzzle out of a math mat to demonstrate parts and the whole.

Punch Out Spelling (Suzanne Artman)
Cross over and punch letters to spell a word. Clap hands at the end while saying the word as you clap the syllables. Kids then say the number of syllables. (say, spell, say)

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"Ooookkkaaalllahhhoommmaaaa!!!" 2011

Back to Back
Every child needs a partner and touches body parts as the teacher calls out:
back to back (touch backs)
shoulder to shoulder (touch shoulders)
elbow to elbow
knee to knee
head to head
wrist to wrist
feet to feet
hip to hip
Continue calling out vaious body parts...
End with "bottom to chair" as children sit down!

Can You Dig It? (Rachel Lawrence)
Hide magnetic numerals in a sand table. Each student is given a sheet with math facts appropriate to their level. During math centers they have to do their facts and then dig out the answers (magnetic letters) in the sand.

*You can also hide letters and have children spell words.

Spelling Trays (Rachel Lawrence)
Prepare "spelling trays" in plastic drawers. Children choose a tray and then take it to their desk and spell words using one of the materials below:
*Wikki sticks
*magnetic letters
*puzzle letters
*black light pens (security pen with black light key chain)
*alphabet stickers
*alphabet blocks
*dry erase board

Let’s Look Important! (Diane Ringer)
Use this idea instead of criss cross applesauce.
Would you like to know how to look important? Put your right hand over your heart like this. (Demonstrate)
Put your left hand across your chest and fold your arms like this. (Demonstrate)
Lift up your chin and smile importantly. Now look at all my important people!

Song Requests (Heather Cline)
Make a box for song requests. Children write their favorite song on a sheet of paper and put it in the box. Pull requests each morning and sing.

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
Clap two times
“Linda, Linda, what do you say?
What did you like at school today?”
The child has to tell what they liked best that day. It’s a good way to remember what they learned as you reinforce oral language.

A Fuzzy Little Caterpillar (Leanne Hutchison)
(Tune: "I Had a Little Turtle")
A fuzzy little caterpillar wiggled right by me. (Wiggle index finger.)
He wiggled long. (Wiggle finger away.)
He wiggled short. (Wiggle finger close.)
He wiggled right at me. (Wiggle finger at your face.)
I put him in a box. (Cup hands.)
"Don't go away I said!" (Point finger.)
But when I opened up the box
There was a butterfly instead! (Clasp thumbs and wiggle fingers like a butterfly.)

*You can adapt this song for "I had a little tadpole...I put him in a jar... Don't go away I said. . But when I opened up the jar a frog hopped out instead!"

Surprise Can (Julie Wiegman & Anne Greer)
Each week place a different letter on top of a paint can. (You can purchase an empty paint can at Lowe's or Home Depot.) Select one child each night to take home the surprise can. Ask parents to assist their child in finding four items at home that begin with the letter. Put the four itmes in the can along with clues about each object. At school the next day, the child (with help from the teacher) gives clues as classmates try to guess what the objects are. Example: This is something that is a fruit. This is round and red. It grows on a tree. A-Apple!

GREAT TEACHERS 120

KISS PRINCIPLE - KEEP IT SIMPLE!

Quiet Creatures (Jennifer Olayo)
You’ll need a large pompom, small pompom, googly eyes, and a foam heart or flower to make a quiet creature. Glue the small pompom to the large one for a nose. Add eyes and stick the heart on the bottom for feet. Children take out their quiet creatures during quiet activities. If they talk they lose their creature. When they finish they can whisper quietly to their creature.

Birthday Do Dah (Mary Lehman
(Tune: “Camptown Racers”)
Our friend name is age years old
Do dah, do dah. (Wave scarf up and down on “do dah.”)
Our friend name is age years old
Oh, do dah day.
Let’s all shout “hooray!”
It’s a special day.
Our friend name is age years old
Oh, do dah day.
*Take scarves, streamers, or just wave your hand as you “do dah” the person’s age.

Ear on the Door (Shannon Kennady)
Put a big ear on the door and when children start to tattle say, “Tell it to the ear.”

Tattle Stopper (Linda Rossiter)
Pick up some old tax forms at the library. When children start to tattle hand them a form and tell them to fill it out and then bring it back to you.

*You'll have to save this idea for December!
Letters to Santa (Shannon Kennady)
Have children write letters to Santa and then let older students (class buddies) respond to them. Put the letters in the freezer and then take them out and return them to the children. Explain that the letters are cold because they just arrived from the North Pole!

If You Can Hear Me (Susan Paulus)
If you can hear me, clap once.
If you can hear me, clap twice…
*Continue until all children are engaged and listening.

Transitional Breathing (Katie Saucier)
Smell the roses – hold a pretend bouquet of flowers and smell them.
Blow out your candle – hold up one finger like a birthday candle and blow it out.

Flip Book

Make a flip book as shown. Draw an egg, tree, cave, or other animal home on the front flip. Open and draw a critter that you would find in that habitat. Hold up to the light to see your little critter in its home.

Sentence Structure (Lisa Ruff)
Make the love sign with your hand. Your thumb is the capital.
Your pointer finger asks if it makes sense.
The little finger is a reminder for the punctuation mark at the end.
Check to make sure you LOVE your sentence. You need all three fingers to love it!

Hall Chant (Melanie Griffin)
Teacher: Are your hands ready for the hall?
Students: Yes, yes, yes they are. (Put hands behind back.)
Teacher: Are your feet ready for the hall?
Students: Yes, yes, yes they are. (Stomp feet.)
Teacher: Is your mouth ready for the hall?
Students: Mmm, mmm, mmm. (Mouth closed.)

GREAT TEACHERS 119

LOOK WHAT THE WIND BLEW IN THE WINDY CITY IN 2015!

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 other children show 4 fingers. The teacher can easily see who knows the facts.

Porcupine Words (Mica Ike)
Students collect “porcupine words” that are prickly, sticky, and hard to pronounce. Make porcupine folders (folder with colored porcupine on it) so children can write the words.

Ask Me Badges (Jenna)
Pass out badges that say “Ask me! I can help!” for students to wear during independent work. Students must go to “ask me” friends before coming to the teacher. This empowers low level students and it’s good for high level students to explain concepts.

Popcorn Freeze Dance (Debbie Mendelson)
Here’s a great game for a literacy brain break. Write sight words on small, yellow pieces of paper and crumple them up to look like popcorn. Store these in a popcorn container from the dollar store. Play music and encourage creative dancing/movement. Stop the music and the children have to freeze. Children who are totally frozen get to pick up a piece of popcorn and read the word. After several children have had a turn put the music back on.

20 Questions (Megan Pacella)
The star student gets to bring in a mystery object. The rest of the class can ask 20 questions to try and guess what the mystery object is.  

Picture/Word Charts (Kathy Kilgore)
Use picture/word charts around the room for students to practice asking questions. Students take turns asking questions and the answer has to be on a picture/word chart in the room.

Park That Comment (Jess Pesola)
This idea will help you with students who have tons of stories or interjections. Create a parking lot from a poster for ideas, questions, and stories. Students write a word or phrase on a post it and put it in the parking lot to remind them. Come back to the parking lot comments at the end of the lesson. 

Busy Baskets (Alicia A. Rivera)
This idea works for students who finish first or have behavioral issues. Fill several small baskets with magnetic letters, numbers, color blocks, etc. Students can put the letters in order, numbers in order, or reproduce a block pattern. This will keep them engaged until you are ready to do the next activity.

GREAT TEACHERS 118

 Many "Mini" Ideas from Minneapolis 2015

Picture Game Pieces (Katie from Little Falls) 

Use pictures of the kids that you have taken and turn them into game pieces. When they play any game they can use their own game piece and they'll actually be moving themselves. 
*If you have the bases from Candyland or Chutes & Ladders the pictures fit nicely into those. 

Singing Directions (Sandra Knap) 
Sing directions rather than repeating yourself.  (Tune:  "If You're Happy and You Know It")
Example: Grab a milk and sit down for a snack. 
Grab a milk and sit down for a snack. 
Grab a milk and sit down for a snack. 
Grab a milk and sit down for a snack. 
*Add, "Just like Alisa. Just like Jonathan..." 

Password (Megan Engelsgjerd) 
Practice sight words or CVC words by placing a sign on your door that says, "What's the password?" Write a new word each day and the students have to whisper it when they enter and leave the classroom. 

Word of the Day (Mairin Born)
Put a sight word each week (or day) in a clear nametag pocket. All week the kids must name the word or turn it into a sentence as a "ticket" to talk to the teacher. 

Spiderman (Jessica Schmidt)
That's when the children need to "glue" themselves against the wall. 

Friend Book (Barb Larkin) 
Make a friend book at the beginning for the year where each child has a page with their favorite book, names of family members, favorite food, color, etc. Towards the end of the year play a guessing game where you give three clues about one of the classmates and the children have to guess who it is. 

Mystery Person (Amy Keith) 
Parents fill out a sheet of paper with five clues about their child. (Begin with generals and end with specifics.) The teacher puts the clues on sentences strips and covers them up. One clue is revealed each day until they figure out who the mystery person is. 

Pretzel Legs (Tracy Hagen) 
Children sit down with legs spread out straight. The teacher says 3 "p" words and when she says "pretzel" the kids sit criss cross. 

Silence (Karen Reindl) 
Tell the kids you're going to play "silence." 
"Let's shake it out!" 
Stand tall and still and hold up one hand. Slowly put up one finger at a time. However, if they make noise before that stop until they are silent again. When you get to 5 or 10 everyone can clap. 

Behavior Management (Denise Clusian) 
Place a Chutes and Ladders board on your wall. When the children deserve it they "earn a spin." As they make their way to 100 they may have a slide just like in real life. “Oh, well! We'll have to work a little harder.” When they reach 100 the class votes on what they want for a reward/party. 

Rainbow Clap (Kammi O'Hara) 
Start on one side of your body and clap in an arch over to the other side. 

Self-Regulation (Sarah Mumaw-Flury) 
Put your idea in your hand and hold it up. 
Whisper your idea or the answer to the question in your hand and then hold it up. Release! 

Mystery Bag (Janie Lundstrom) 
Hide an object in a myster bag. Students have to ask questions to get clues about what is inside. 
*Give clues, such as it starts with (sound). 

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Awesome shirt that a teacher wore in Birmingham in 2013!

Noun Song (Staria Russell)
(Tune: “She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain”)
A noun is a person, place or thing.
Yee haw!
A noun is a person, place, or thing.
Yee haw!
A noun is a person. (Point to or name a person.)
A noun is a place. (Name a place.)
A noun is a person, place, or thing. (Name a thing.)


Roping Spelling Words (Jennifer Stringer)
Let children turn their chairs around and sit on them backwards (like a horse). The teacher throws out a word. The kids then “catch it” and spell the word
(c –a –t) as they pretend to rope each letter.


Sight Word Cadence (Karen Fortner)
There are twenty words you’ll need (Children repeat each line.)
If you want to learn to read…

    You     could      their      was
    Go      where     some      have
    Said    me         little         the
    This     come     with        here

*Select words that are difficult for children because they cannot be sounded out phonetically.


Wikki Stick Words (Tami Humphries)
Write nursery rhymes or poems on chart paper. Children use Wikki sticks to circle the sight words they find in the poem or rhyme. Use with a whole group activity, center, or small group.


Around the World (Phyllis Malone)
To review letters, sounds, words, etc. play “Around the World.” Have the children sit in chairs and mix up the flash cards. If they answer the question right they get to stand. If not, they stay seated. Once everyone is up, start round two. This time they sit. The last one to sit down “wins.”


Sight Word Um Umph! (Casandra Stewart)
Place sight word cards in a bag along with school day pictures of the teacher. Laminate cards and pictures on like paper. Students pull cards out and read the words. If a student pulls a card with the teacher’s picture, she has sight word “Um Umph!” and all her cards must go back in the bag. Students love this game!


Four Corners Sight Word Game (Brandi Morse)
Tape sight words around the room. Teacher closes eyes and counts to five. The students walk to a word. If the teacher says a word where they are standing, then they must sit down. Continue until one child is left standing.


Cowboys and Chickens (Gina Copeland)

This is similar to the “Boom” flashcard game, but use pictures of cowboys and chickens. When the cowboy comes up the children make a roping motion as they say, “Yeehaw!” If the chicken comes up they flap their arms and cluck.

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Met some great teachers and gathered some fantastic ideas on St. Louis in 2014! 

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.

Line Up Call Back (Jeana Rhoades)
I say “line.”
You say “up.”
Line (teacher)
Up (Children)
I say “sit.”
You say “down.”
Sit (teacher)
Down (Children)
“Happy” – “Monday” etc.

Name Game Line Up (Heather Barrio)
Play the name game to transition to go home, outside, etc. The teacher picks a student to stand up. That student picks a friend to line up, and the game continues until one person is left. The last child gets to pick me!!! This activity helps children learn their classmates’ names. If a student says, “I don’t know her name.” Explain that they should say, “What’s your name, friend?” This also helps shy students engage with the group.

Vowel Flip Book (Krystal McVicker, American International School, Vietnam)
Make a flip book with 5 flaps. Write the vowels on the top of the outside. Children draw or cut out pictures with short vowel sounds and glue them under the correct vowel flap. 

     

*Another teacher shared that they use flip books to reinforce beginning reading and sight words like “the,” “a,” “I,” etc. Write “the” on the front of all four flips. Children open and draw a picture under each flap. Then they can read “the house,” “the sun,” and so forth.

Virtue Book (Jane Lake)
After studying virtues, make a booklet for each word and then let children illustrate it or cut pictures out of magazines. You could also call it a “Good Manners Book” or “My Best Behavior Book.”
Examples of virtues could be: be kind, think of others, love everyone, listen and watch, be eager and excited, share with others, try my best, be ready.

Fantastic Friends (Jane Lake)
At the beginning of the year (or for Valentine’s Day) make a book about friends.
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…

Eye Ball Stories (Penny Salvato)
*I cracked up with this one! 

Penny makes "eye" pointers for her children.  She tells them that she collected the eyeballs on the playground from kids who played too rough!!!

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GOOD NEWS FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE IN 2016!

Personality Bag (Kathy Channon)
Find a large bag with a zipper and handles and put a note in similar to the one below:

Dear Families,
Your child is bringing home the personality bag which they need to fill with all the things that tell us about them. For example, a spoon for cooking, ballet slipper for dancing, photos of the family, hobby items, such as baseball cards, and so forth.

Each day at the beginning of the school year a child takes the bag home, fills it up, and then uses it to introduce themselves to their classmates.

Book Jackets (Rose)
Cut figures off book jackets and add a strip of Velcro to the back so the kids can use them to retell the story on a flannel board.
*You can also put magnetic tape on the back and use on a magnetic board.

Flip-a-roo (Rose)
Place the pencil point on the table pointing towards the child. Tell the child to pick it up and then push the top of the pencil “flip-a-roo” towards them and they’ll have the perfect pencil grasp.

My State Book
Make a state book based on your state flower, animal, famous people, state bird, capitol, flag, insect, famous places, etc. Children can become EXPERTS about their state.
For example: New Hampshire, New Hampshire, what do you see?
I see the Capitol in Concord looking at me.

Capitol in Concord, what do you see?
I see the purple lilac looking at me.
Dartmouth, Dartmouth, who do you see?
I see Dr. Seuss looking at me....

*The teacher who shared this idea said her kids loved reading this book and the parents were so impressed that their children knew more than they did about the state!

The Big Cheese (Michele Busby)
This is a counting game the children love. Start in a circle and the teacher chooses a number for the children to count up to. (At the beginning of the year you can practice up to five, but increase the number as the year progresses.) The teacher begins at 0 and each child calls out the next number. If “5” is the number then that child who says “5” must sit down. This continues as children count 0-5 around and around until there is only one person standing – THE BIG CHEESE!

*This counting game can be used for skip counting by 2’s, 5’s, 10’s. It is also great for counting on.

The Vowel Game (Similar to the Big Cheese)
Students stand in a circle and begin by singing the vowel song. (A E I O U, A E I O U, A E I O U, these are the vowels of the alphabet.) Students start saying the letters of the alphabet, but when they say a vowel they must sit down. This gets repeated until everyone is seated.

Bottle Cap Math/Reading (Kathy Channon)
Collect colored bottle caps (Boost works well) and write letters or numbers on them. You can also write punctuation marks or math signs (+ - =) on them. Use them in a center and children can make words, work out math problems, etc.
Adaptation: Go through magazines and cut out letters with all different kinds of fonts. Sort and the children can use these to glue words together.

Picnic Book with a Window
Cut a “window” out of one section of a picnic book and children can draw a secret picture inside.



Talking Key (Laurie)
Let children use a skeleton key to “turn on” their voice when sharing at circle. Pass the key around and the child holding the key gets to talk.

Quiet Lamp (Laurie)
Use a small fancy lamp and turn it on when it’s time to work. Children must be quiet and concentrate whenever the light is on, but when you turn it off the students may talk.

Incentive to Tie Shoes (Catherine)
As soon as your students can quickly and independently tie their shoes they are allowed to take their shoes off. This is a BIG DEAL and really motivates kids to learn and practice tying their shoes.
Tips: Shoes must be kept side by side at their desk.
Shoes can only be off when they are at their seats.
If there’s a fire drill don’t worry about putting your shoes back on.

Super Duper Number Troopers (Dee Kettlewood)
Here’s a game to reinforce odd and even numbers.
The children make 2 fists and that’s zero.
Put up one finger on right and say “1.” (“1” doesn’t have a partner so it’s odd.)
Put up one finger on left and say “2.” (That’s a partner so it’s even.)
Put up another finger on right and say “3.” (That’s odd.)
Put up another finger on left and say “4.” (That’s a partner so it’s even.)
Continue counting and saying if the number is odd or even.
When you do larger numbers just say like “30” and then count up from their on the fingers.

GREAT TEACHERS 114

SEE IF YOU CAN FIND SOME "JEWELS" FROM MY 2012 WORKSHOPS.

Button Factory Language Unit (Ann Michael)
Ann used this favorite song as a springboard for the following activities:
Button box – sort, organize, match, describe
Button fashion show – children wear clothing with buttons
Button shirt – put a wide Velcro strip on a child’s shirt. Put Velcro on buttons and have children put the buttons on their shirt.
Button sweatshirt – teacher wears a sweatshirt covered with a variety of buttons and children describe the buttons

Classroom Management Trick (Alison Barnes)
Teacher: Give me one.
Students: One. (clap one time)
Teacher: Give me four.
Students: One, two ,three, four. (clap four times)
*You can do this as many times as you want mixing up the numbers. End by saying:
Teacher: Give me fingers to lips.
Students: (Put 2 fingers to lips and smile quietly.)


Take a Picture Walk (Lauren Martin)
This activity will help children learn to turn pages from the front of the book to the back. Use two fingers to mimic walking through a book as you chant:
Walking through the pictures.
Walking through with speed.
Walking through the pictures
And now it’s time to read.
Students close the book to the front and raise their hands to describe the pictures that they saw.


Animal Reading (Mary Baykouski)
Read predictable books using different animal sounds or whatever theme sound the children suggest.
For example: The Farm (moo moo)
The boy is on the farm. (moo moo)


Transition Song (Sharon Dudley)
Tune: La Cuckla Racha
Come to the carpet, come to the carpet.
La, la, la, la, la, la, la.
We are ready.
We are listening.
We are ready for some fun, story, math, etc.


Candyland Adaptation (Amanda Dalgleish)
Level one - Write the color names on the color cards.
Level two – Make new cards by writing color words in the same color as the word.
Level three – Make cards with just the word written in black.

More Skill Games with Candyland (Katie Spies)
Make Candyland cards with numerals, word wall words, math facts, etc. Put harder level words or facts on the double color cards.


Tattle Stopper (Linda Rossiter)
Pick up some old tax forms at the library. When children start to tattle hand them a form and tell them to fill it out and then bring it back to you.


Waiting Gemstones (Dawn Corkran)
Let students pick a stone and decorate it. When they need help they lay their stone next to the teacher and return to their work until the teacher can help them. (Most of the time they will solve their own problem.)


Go Tell Puppy (Yolanda Coppedge)
When children have an issue, they tell it to the toy puppy in their calm down area.

Thinking Time (Maggie Silver)
Some children are much faster at identifying words. To give an opportunity to all the kids, when you come to a new word point to it and slowly say, “1, 2, 3, what word do you see?” That will give the children extra time to sound out the word.

GREAT TEACHERS 113

Yes, indeed, there were some great teachers with great ideas in North Carolina in 2013!

Envelope Factory
This is how teachers take an idea and milk it for all its worth! I’ve showed you before how to cut an envelope in half to make a puppet. Look how this can be used to reinforce Standards.

*Put a period on one side and a question mark on the other. When the teacher makes a statement, children hold up the period. When the teacher asks a question, the children hold up the question mark.
*Write “fact” on one side and “opinion” on the other side.
*Write “fiction” on one side and “non-fiction” on the other side.
*Write “yes” on one side and “no” on the other side for a quick review.


Letter Pops (Kristi Moore)
Glue upper and lowercase letters on jumbo craft sticks. Children can match letters that go together.

*You could also use these for helping children find a partner.


Silent Math (Cindy Lang)
While students are waiting for the restroom or drinking fountain, one student shows the person beside them a number on their fingers and then a function sign (+ or -) and another number. The friend will answer by showing the correct number of fingers. Continue playing until everyone is back in line.


Syllable Stepping (Michaela White)
As a way to transition and line up students, have them step out syllables and sounds. Every student stands in place. The teacher (or student helper) calls out a word. The students move according to the syllables they hear.
Ex: arctic – 2 syllables – walk 2 steps in line
*Segment sounds (CVC words, etc.) by stepping for each sound and then sliding as you blend the sounds.


Twister (Traci Branch)
Use a Twister mat and write words, numerals, letters, etc. on the circles. Write the words on the spinner and let the children play.
Hint! A shower curtain can be used to make the game with a homemade spinner.


Word Family Step Book (Gaye Vitolo)
Staple a step book at the top and cut up as shown. Write a different rime on each section and then challenge children to write all the words they can that end with that sound.
*Use for long vowel, short vowel, and r controlled.
*Use for tenses or place value.

Question Strategy (Jamie Turnage)
Students tap their brain to think of the answer to a question and then blow the answer in their hands. They all release the answer on the count of three.


Wolfpack Cheer (Julie Earnhardt, Lisa Byrom, Joan Munn)
Stick index finger and pinky up in the air and then touch middle finger and ring finger to your thumb to make the “wolf.” Children can make fingers “bark” as they give a silent cheer for their friends.


Schoolwide Vocabulary Parade (Tammi and Tiffany from Manchester El.)
This is a one month project. First, each child chooses a word and writes a proposal with the word, the definition, a sentence, and a picture.
Kindergarten – nouns
1st Grade – verbs
2nd Grade – adjectives
3rd Grade – multiple meaning words
4th Grade – similes
5th Grade – idioms
Based on their word, each child creates a hat that they wear on a special day and they parade around the school.


Word Wall Wednesday (Joan Munn)
Ask questions about words on the word wall. Assess by having the student write down their answer on a “ticket.”
*On “Thinking Thursday” do math word problems.

GREAT GREAT TEACHERS 112

Take a look at some of these TERRIFIC ideas from Toledo in 2013!  Great ideas never go out of style!


Self Control (Becky Gilsdorf)
Use this visual cue to help children who are out of control.
Cross hands over your chest. (Self)
Slide both hands down the sides of your body. (Control)
As the child repeats the movements silently it will calm them down.


Hand Poem (Barb Williams)
Hands up high. (Hands in the air.)
Hands down low. (Hands down.)
Hide those hands, now. (Hands behind your back.)
Where did they go? (Shrug shoulders.)
One hand up. (Right hand up.)
The other hand, too. (Left hand up.)
Clap them, (Clap.)
Fold them, (Fold in lap.)
Now we’re through!

Quiet Coyote (Alyssa)
Hold your hand with the pinky and pointer fingers up like ears. Tap the middle and ring finger on your thumb.


1, 2, 3 Eyes on Me (Rooe Aliakbar)
Teacher says: 1, 2, 3 - eyes on me.
Children respond: 1, 2 – eyes on you!

Wiggle Song (Sarah Drummond)
(Sing in a whisper voice.)
I wiggle my fingers.
I wiggle my toes.
I wiggle my ELBOWS. (yell this word)
I wiggle my nose.
Now, no more wiggles are left in me.
So I will sit still -
As still as can be. (Fold hands and place in your lap.)


Verb Chant (Linda Pelger)
A verb, a verb, is an action word, an action word.
You can do it, do it, do it, do it, do it.
Can you jump? (Jump two times)
Can you hop? Swim? Dive? Laugh? Frown? Jog? Etc.


Attention Grabber (Sherry Raessler)
I am looking.
What do I see?
I see (student, class) sitting (or standing or whatever you need)
Properly.


Rhyming Chant (Tina Ponzi)
(Slap knees and clap hands to get the rhythm.)
When I say bat, you say cat.
Bat – cat
Bat – cat

*You can also use this chant for opposites.
When I say hot, you say cold.
Hot – cold
Hot – cold


Stinky Brain Break (Jamie Garner)
The kids get to take their shoes off during center/workshop time and we call it a “Stinky Brain Break.” 


FREEZE (Jamie Garner)
Teacher says: Freeze!
Students respond: Ice Cold! (Wrap arms around self as if shivering.)
Teacher: I’m looking for frozen students.


Grab Your Partner (Tina Rufenacht)
Pass out one Old Maid card to each student and when they find their match, it’s their partner.
*You can also use shapes, clocks, beginning sounds, etc.

Quieting Tricks (Meghan Boyle)
*Before going in the hallway say, “Hands on your hips. Smile on your lips.”

*Hush little children don’t say a word.
We’re leaving the room and shouldn’t be heard.
Hands at your side and do not talk.
Tip toe in the halls when we start to walk.

GREAT TEACHERS 111

I’m sharing more good news and good ideas with you today!

Sharing Good News (Jessica Williams)
Write children’s names on craft sticks and place in a jar that says “Good News.” The teacher starts every morning by sharing her own “good news.” The children clap or cheer for her. Next, she pulls a stick and the class sings, "Tell me something good!" That child shares their good news and then the class does a cheer. The teacher pulls the second stick and they sing, "Tell me something good" and then cheer. Do three children each day and then put those who have had a turn in an envelope and start all over again when everyone has had a turn.

Whisper and Release Questioning Strategy (Mary Claire Porter)
When the teacher asks a question have the children blow their answer into their closed fist. When the teacher says, “What is it?” they “release” their answer by opening their hand and saying the answer out loud.


Name Bingo
Play BINGO using children’s names and googly eyes. Write children’s names on sentence strips and give them googly eyes. “I spy the letter R. “ If children have an “R” in their name they cover it up with a googly eye.

Category Game
The children repeat after the teacher:
“Pink is a color.” (Children repeat.)
“Purple is a color.” (Children repeat.)
“A square is a color.” (Children yell NO!)
Adapt for shapes, objects in a house, rhyming words, numbers, and other categories.


Eating the Alphabet (Yolanda Coppedge)
You will need upper and lowercase magnetic letters, a bowl, spoon, and alphabet cards. Each child uses the spoon to scoop out a letter. They have to name the letter, make the sound, and say something that starts with the sound before matching it to the alphabet card.

ABC Tune (Marina Attix)
Did you know that you could sing the ABC’s to the tune of “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” It’s great because L M N O P don’t end up sounding like “a lemon and a pea.”


Class Pictionary
Each day choose a different letter of the alphabet and write it on a large sheet of paper. Let the children cut out objects or draw pictures of things that start with that sound. Be sure and label their pictures. After introducing all 26 letters, put the pages together to make a BIG BOOK PICTIONARY for your classroom. Don’t forget to add a page for illustrators and the publisher (school, city, and state). You could also let the children dedicate the book and make a page that says “The End.”


Silly Band Writing
This is the coolest idea with silly bands. Explain that when you go for a ride in the car you have to wear your seat belt. When you write you have to put a seat belt on your pencil. Put a silly band on your wrist, hold your pencil, and then loop the silly band around the pencil. It will stabilize the pencil and make it easier for the children to write.
*A teacher also suggested holding the lid of the marker in your hand when you draw to get the correct grip.

Who Stole the Sound? (Candice Hall)
Adapt “Who Stole the Cookie?” to letters. Write letters on cookie shapes and place them in a bag. Pass the bag around and as children pull out a letter say:
Who stole the letter sound from the cookie jar?
Child’s name stole the letter sound from the cookie jar!
Who me?
Yes, you!
Couldn’t be.
Then who?

GREAT TEACHERS 110

SHARING IS CARING! THANKS TO ALL THESE CARING TEACHERS!

Math Office (Amanda Green)
Use a pipe cleaner to make an abacus at the top of a pocket folder. Put a hundreds chart, shapes, or whatever you are studying in the office.
*You could even do five beads of each color like rekenrek.
Hint! Let them put papers they are working on in the left pocket and papers they have
finished in the right pocket.

Good Listening Chant (Eunica Turner)
(Tune: “Where Is Thumbkin?”)
Eyes are watching. (Point to eyes.)
Ears are listening. (Point to ears.)
Lips are closed. (Point to lips.)
Hands are still. (Clasp hands together.)
Feet are very quiet. (Wiggle toes and point to feet.)
That’s the way we like it. (Nod our head.)
Listening well. Listening well. (Smile)


Creep Track 

This is made from a shower curtain. Tape sight words, letters, numbers, etc. Children crawl across and identify the information by slapping it with their hands.

Vowel Chant (Emily Lieb)
Teacher: Give me a long A.
(Students stretch it out as they say it with their hands.)
All: You’ve got your /a/, you’ve got your /a/, you’ve got your /a/ /a/ /a/.
Teacher: Give me a short A.
(Students signal short with hands as they make the sound.)
All: You’ve got your /a/, you’ve got your /a/, you’ve got your /a/ /a/ /a/.
Continue with all vowels.


Line Up Song (Julie Golden)
(Tune: “Farmer in the Dell”)
My hands are by my side.
I’m standing straight and tall.
My eyes are on teacher’s name
And I’m ready for the hall.


Read to a Star (Kim Potter)
Purchase plexi-glass picture frames that stand up at the dollar store. Print pictures of famous people (Justin Bieber, Obama, etc.) and put them in the frames. Children sit and read to the picture of their choice.


Name on My Paper (Veronica Guerrero)
(Tune: “Where Is Thumbkin?”)
Teacher: Are you ready?
Students: Yes I am.
Teacher: Let’s write my first name.
Students: Let’s write my first name.
Teacher: Let’s write my last name.
Students: Let’s write my last name.
Teacher: Let’s write the date.
Students: Let’s write the date.
Teacher: Now I’m done.
Students: Now I’m done.

Trash Words (Trisha Loftin)
When a student curses have them say the “trash word” into a scrap sheet of paper. Then they crumple up the paper and put the “trash word” into a small table top trash can (from Dollar Tree). Once it is in the trash it’s gone for good!


Throw It Away! (Janine Conway)
If children come in grumpy, ask them to throw their negatives away in the trash can. (Model taking imaginary things off your body and putting them in the trash.)

Talk to Your Hands

If children are wiggling their hands, ask them to please talk to their hands and tell them to be quiet.