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