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.

GREAT TEACHERS 109

Bet you can find a few tricks for your new school year on my blog today.

Hallway Hug (Jodi Spakes)
When children see friends in the hall teach them to do the hallway hug. 
You (Hold up index finger.)
Me (Hold up middle finger.)
Hello (Cross middle and index finger and wiggle.)

Air Hug (Mary Katherine Ellis)
Open your arms as if giving a huge hug in the air.
*This is good for when students see a friend in the hall.
*This is also good when someone comes in or leaves the classroom and the kids want to jump up and give them a hug.


Problem Resolution (Carrie Thouvenot)
After students resolve a problem they can follow this routine:
1st - Fist bump 
2nd - Hand shake 
3rd - High five 
4th - Hug 
5th - Walk away happy!

Mirror Talk
If children talk ugly to a friend, then tell them to go talk like that in the mirror and see how it feels.

Class Callbacks (Sara Quinn)
Teacher says: Hands on top. (Students put their hands on their heads.)
Students say: That means stop!
Teacher says: Holy Moly!
Students say: Guacamole!
Teacher says: All set?
Students say: You bet!
*You can go on all day with callbacks. Marco - Polo; Peanut Butter - jelly; Criss cross – sit like a boss, etc.


Looking!
I am looking.
What do I see?
I see (student, class) sitting (standing, whatever you need)
Properly.
Hint! Lower your voice each time you say this until children are quiet.


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


Hallway Tip (Stacey Keller)
“Zip” – pretend to zip your lips.
“Flip” – fold arms across your chest.
“We’re ready for the hallway trip.”


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.


You Know What to Do
Several years ago I heard an interview on NPR with the Teacher of the Year. She said, “When a child is misbehaving, I stand next to her and quietly say, ‘You know what to do.’” Physical proximity – just getting close – can be a powerful tool.

GREAT TEACHERS 108

These ideas are almost like seeds that you can take and grow into your own activities. 

Advisors and a WAITING Chair (Melanie Goodwin)
Two children are selected to be “advisors” for the day. During guided reading/workstations students ask a partner or one of the “advisors” before sitting in the “waiting chair” to ask the teacher. “Ask three, then me!” They have to wait until the teacher can get to them and often leave because they figure it out while waiting. This really helps eliminate disruptions during guided reading!

Mr. Tuttles (Karen Campbell)
Take a mirror and put a hat/head on top and add arms and legs to create “Mr. Tuttles.” Children tell Mr. Tuttles their tattles!


End of Year Gift (Julie Bright)
Ask each child to bring in a pillowcase. Use a T-shirt transfer to put this saying on the pillowcases:
Now I lay me down to sleep.
I’ll count hands instead of sheep.
Of all the friends I made
In (teacher’s name) first grade.
The students use fabric paint to put their handprint and write their name on all their friends’ pillowcases.


Insects (Katheryn Lambert)
(Tune: “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes”)
Head (point to head)
Thorax (point to chest)
Abdomen, abdomen (rub torso).
Head, thorax, abdomen, abdomen.
Two antennae (wiggle index fingers by temples)
And six legs (three fingers extended on each side)
Head, thorax, abdomen!
*Use the concept of two antennae and six legs to discuss symmetry and odd and even numbers. “We know our insects need six legs. Should I use one leg on this side and 5 legs on the other? No! It would be all lopsided!”

Swat (Whitney Rhyne)
Write letters, words, etc. on chart paper or board. Have 2 children come up at a time to race and find the letter the teacher calls out. Each child is given a fly swatter and the first one to “swat” it wins a point for their team.


Who Let the Letter Out? (Whitney Rhyne)
Have the class squat down as you begin they song. They get to “pop up” when the letter that their name begins with comes up in the song. This is great for beginning sounds and teaches the kids what letters their friends’ names begin with.


Friendship Tools (Liz Watras)
Use sign language (aslpro.com) to teach children these words:
Ask
Trade
Wait
Share
Include
Stop
When they have a problem they can use the tools and signs to work through the conflict.


Donut Vowels (Robin Davis)
Make donuts out of foam and decorate with markers. Write letters on each side of the donut. Next, put a vowel in the middle of a small paper plate. Children place the donut hole over the vowel and sound out the word.

Buddy Time (Robin Davis)
Put matching pompoms in a can and let each child draw a pompom. They match pompoms to find their buddy.


Tablecloths (Angie Barnett)
You can use flannel back tablecloths for everything. They are sturdy and won’t slip on the carpet. Just have the kids take off their shoes.
Keypad – If you draw a keypad children can jump their phone number, cafeteria number, or use for number recognition.
Popcorn Words – Write words or letters on popcorn shapes. Children jump around identifying letters or words.
Keyboard – Make a keyboard and use for letter recognition or spelling words.
Graph – Draw out a bar graph and use or comparisons.


Hall Chant (Theresa Malone)
My hands are hanging by my side
I’m standing straight and tall.
My eyes are looking straight ahead.
I’m ready for the hall.


Itsy Bitsy Spider (Sharon Howard)
After singing the “Itsy Bitsy Spider” let children change what kind of spider it is. It could be happy, mad, mean, angry, silly, pretty princess, etc. Then children decide how that spider would go up the waterspout.


Bread and Butter (Sharon Howard)
When you walk down the hall and go around a post or pole say this chant to the tune of “Frere Jacques”:
Bread and butter
Bread and butter
Toast and jam
Toast and jam
Peanut butter jelly
Peanut butter jelly
Cheese and ham
Cheese and ham

GREAT TEACHERS 107

Where’s Bear?

Write sight words on the sides of cups. Put a teddy bear counter under one of the cups. The children say a word and the teacher lifts the cup to see if the teddy bear counter is under that cup. Tally who finds the bear and count who has the most, least, etc.

        

*This activity has endless possibilities. You could use it for letters, numerals, math facts, etc. You could also hide seasonal objects or treats under the cups.


Marshmallow Mouths

To teach the kids how to walk in the halls quietly tell them to pretend to put a marshmallow in their mouths.

*Just for fun give them a real marshmallow.


Jingle Bell Club (Kitty Allen)
Kids get to sign their name as members of the “Jingle Bell Club” when they learn to tie their shoes. They also get a jingle bell on a ribbon to tie on their shoe laces.


Expert Chart (Karen Stone)
Every student can see themselves as an “expert” with this idea. Make a poster with areas of expertise, such as cutting, writing numerals, writing letters, spelling, tying shoes, etc. Children get to sign their name and put their picture on the poster where they feel they are an expert. Students must consult at least “3 experts” before asking the teacher.

Rhyming Hunt (Sara Christensen)
Chant while tapping your lap and then clapping:
We’re going on a rhyming hunt and I know what to do.
I need to listen well and rhyme a word with you.
Teacher: Cat (Teacher calls on a student to say a rhyming word.)
Student: Hat


Dance and Point 

Tape words, letters, numbers, etc. around the room. Play some music so the children can dance. When the music stops the children point to a word. The teacher calls on students to read their word.


Magic Pointer (Lana from Minneapolis)
To help children learn high frequency words, choose a magic pointer and wave it across a word as you say (with expression);
Magic pointer, magic pointer, where will it land?
I don’t know where it will land?
Point to a word for the children to read. After a few weeks, the children get to take turns with the magic pointer.


Table Captain (Jennifer Hill)
At each table there are four children, each with a nametag. On each tag is a red, blue, green, or yellow circle sticker. Each week choose a different color sticker to be “table captain.”
*Colored stickers can be used for other transition activities. For example, “Yellow stickers go to the art center.”


Envelope Assessment (Cowan Elementary)
Laminate envelopes and then cut them in half. Children can write on the laminated envelope with a dry erase marker. This can be used for formative assessment.


Pony Beads (Vonda Stamm)
Place 10 pony beads on a string (5 of each color). Use for number identification, addition, counting, etc. If the teacher calls out a math fact they can hold up the answer and hide the beads they don’t want to show in their fist.
*Students could also use these with a partner. For example, one student shows a number of beads and the partner tells the number.
Hint! I tied a black bead on both ends of the string so the beads wouldn’t fall off.

Sight Words and Sign Language (Kris Buss)
Teach sight words by using sign language. Put a picture of the sign on the back of every sight word. Use this for every word you teach. By having the signs on the back of the cards, the parents can use these at home to help their children learn.

Some old ideas, but how about a new video?

YouTube - https://bit.ly/drJHugs

Handout - https://bit.ly/drJHugsPDF

GREAT TEACHERS 106

Through the years when I did workshops I would invite teachers to write down their ideas so I could share them on my blog.  Take a look and think about how you could adapt a few of these activities for your classroom.  

TEACHERS DON'T STEAL IDEAS...THEY HARVEST IDEAS!

I’m Done Jar (Deb Rocco)
Put pictures of activities that children can do if they finish their work (puzzle, etch-a-sketch, easel) on sticks. Place these in a jar that says “I’m Done.” When children finish their work they can choose a stick and do that activity.

Awesome Sauce(Marilyn Borden)
Get a pump dispenser of lotion and make a new label that says “Awesome Sauce.” When kids do something great give them a squirt!

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.




I Don’t Know
Here’s a tip for getting a response from a child who is hesitant or typically replies, “I don’t know.” Just say, “Well, if you did know what would you say?” Nine out of ten times they will give you an answer.


Scissor Wizards (Sandy Spoon)
Buy cheap drinking straws and let the children use these to practice cutting. They make a “snapping” sound that the children love when they cut. Keep the straws in a tub and they can cut and recut until they are tiny pieces that can be used for stringing on plastic lacing.

Note! This really is fun! They make a cool sound and pop all over. Your kids will love it!


Little Red Number Box (Sarah Wilson)
Put magnetic numbers in a metal tin and then sing the song as you pull out a number. Then count to that number.
For example: I wish I had a little tin box to put a 6 in. I’d take it out and count 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and put it back in.



Touch and Count
Touch different body parts as you count by tens. For example, touch your head as you count 1-9. Touch your shoulders as you count 10-19. Then touch your knees as you count 20-29, and so forth.


Criss Cross Nursery Rhymes
This activity combines two of my favorite things – nursery rhymes and crossing the midline. Wouldn’t this be a great brain break for any age? You can adapt all nursery rhymes to these movements:

Jack (extend right arm)
And Jill (extend left arm)
Went up (right hand on left shoulder)
A hill (left hand on right shoulder)
To fetch (right hand on right hip)
A pail (left hand on left him)
Of Wa- (right hand on left knee)
Ter (left hand on right knee)
(Clap Hands!)
Jack (extend right arm)
Fell down (extend left arm)
And broke (right hand on left shoulder)
His crown (left hand on right shoulder)
And Jill (right hand on right hip)
Came (left hand on left hip)
Tumbling (right hand on left knee)
After (left hand on right knee)
YEAH! (Thumbs up!)

GREAT TEACHERS 105

SONG CATCHER was a popular movie in 2000 about a musicologist who discovered a treasure of traditional English ballads that had been preserved in the mountains of Appalachia for over a hundred years. Her goal was to "catch" the songs, preserve them, and share them with the outside world.

I liked to think of myself as a TEACHER IDEA CATCHER. As I traveled across the United States I would invite teachers to share their ideas so I could keep them alive for you on my blog.

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.)



Facebook (Ruth Lefko )


Take two boxes and write "Facebook In Box" on one and "Facebook Out Box" on the other. Provide children with scrap paper, pencils, and markers. Children fold a sheet of paper in half and draw their face or a picture on the front. Inside they write a note to the teacher or a friend and place it in the "In Box." The messages are delivered and then the teacher or friend write a reply and place it in the "Out Box." What a great idea to encourage writing!

Short Vowels (Joanne Poland)
Here’s an active way to help children remember short vowel sounds.at the chair – children stand at their chairs as you emphasize the short /a/
edge of the chair – children sit on the edge of their chairs = short /e/
in the chair – children sit in the chair – short /i/
on the chair – children stand on the chair – short /o/
under the chair – children crawl under the chair – short /u/

Name Game (Kristin Murray)
Put stickers on unifix cubes and write the letters in the children’s names.
-Count how many letters in each person’s name.
-Pair children up and see who has more, less, or the same.
-Graph names. Whose name is shorter, longer, or the same as the teacher’s name?

A Fuzzy Little Caterpillar (Leanne Hutchison, Jackson, TN)
(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!"

Word Bags
Prepare bags with different multi-sensory materials similar to those below. Children choose a bag, take it to their desk, and then spell words (sight words, vocabulary, spelling) using the material in the bag.
*Wikki sticks
*magnetic letters
*colored pencils for rainbow words
*alphabet stickers
*alphabet blocks
*dry erase board

Chant Sight Words (Becky Ashton, Indianapolis, IN)
HE - muscles up and say "h"
muscles up and say "e"
flex muscles and say "HE"
SHE - flick hair on "s"
flick hair on "h"
flick hair on "e"
hands on hips and say "SHE"

Yummy Words (Sarah Kilfoil)
Let each child select a favorite word - yummy word! It can be a favorite food, something they like to do, etc. Place the words in a pocket chart or word wall and use for attendance.

Back to Back
This is a great brain break that a teacher in Indianapolis demonstrated with us. 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.

Shape Crackers (Pamela Pounds)
Send a note to parents the first week of school asking them to send crackers to help the children learn their shapes. (Ritz - circles, Club crackers - rectangles, Doritos - triangles, Wheat Thins - squares, and Town House crackers - ovals.)
*Give children two crackers and ask them to describe how they are different.
*Have children eat one half of a cracker.
*Give children a square cracker and challenge them to nibble it into a circle.
*Give children two like crackers. Ask, “Are they the same amount?” Next, have them break one of the crackers into little pieces. Ask, “Are they the same amount now?” You’ll be surprised at their response. (This is called conservation of quantity and is an experiment Piaget used to demonstrate developmental stages.
*Give children a sheet of paper. Pass out a square cracker to each child and tell the children to draw what it looks like on their paper. Next, give them a circle shaped cracker and ask them to draw it. Continue with other shapes. It’s a fun way to practice pre-writing skills.

GREAT TEACHERS 104

I have so much fun going through ideas teachers have shared with me at my workshops. See if you can make a “fist list” of three new things you’d like to try this week.

Rainbow Clap(Kammi O'Hara) 

Start on one side of your body and clap in an arch over to the other side.

Spiderman(Jessica Schmidt)

To focus children’s attention in the hall say, “Spiderman.” When the children hear that they need to "glue" themselves against the wall.

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.

Self-Regulation(Sarah Mumaw-Flury) 

To discourage children from shouting out the answer, have them whisper their answer to the question in their hand and then hold it up. When the teacher says, “Release!” they open their hand and say/whisper the answer. 




First Thing on Your Paper(Christine Williamson) 

The first thing I do is always the same. 

Pick up a pencil and write my name!


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.

Hint! Use shapes or letters for younger students.


Class Names(Tune: "Ten Little Indians")

Aiden, Grayson, Hugh, Jack 
Jacob, Jayden, Mac, Maddie 
Nicholas, Oliver, Samuel Willa 
These are the kids in our class. 

*Sing this song all year to learn each other's names, alphabetical order, etc. With different class sizes, just adjust the names to fit by either singing quickly in a row or drawing out one name a little longer. 




Stress Button(Christine Burchfield)

Put a piece of Velcro on a poker chip for children to keep in their pocket. They can rub the Velcro on the chip to calm down.
*Place Velcro strips on the side of their desk to rub and relax. (Pam Armon)


N.A.P.(Joy & Dawn)

Teach children to say “N.A.P.” when they make a mistake or bad things happen.
N – not
A – a
P – problem



Useful Signs(Miranda)

Teach children signs for white and chocolate milk, as well as specials like art, music, PE, etc.



Daily Song List
Make a song list for each day of the week with a different good morning song, calendar song, phonics song, movement song, and good-bye song.


15 Minutes of Walking/Exercising
Whether or not you have a Fitbit, try building 15 minutes of walking each day as you count, sing letter songs, say days of the week, months, spell words, and review other information.