TRANSITIONS IN SPANISH

I'm always thrilled when I can offer you translations. I can't do it, but I get by with a little help from my friends like Claudia Hernandez. GRACIAS, CLAUDIA!

ATTENTION, PLEASE!

Tootsie Roll
Tootsie roll, (Roll hands around each other.)
Lollipop. (Pretend to lick a lollipop.)
We’ve been talking, (Open and shut fingers.)
Now let’s stop! (Make sign language sign for “stop.”)

Tootsie Roll
Tootsie roll, (Roll hands around each other.)
Chupete. (Pretend to lick a lollipop.)
Hemos estado hablando (Open and shut fingers.)
¡Ahora detengámonos! (Make sign language sign for “stop.”)


Hocus Pocus
Teacher says:
“Hocus Pocus!” (Stick out index finger and circle around like a magic wand.)
Children respond:
“Everybody focus!” (Children make circles with fingers and thumbs and place
around eyes like spectacles.)

Hocus Pocus
Teacher says:
“Hocus Pocus!” (Stick out index finger and circle around like a magic wand.)
Children respond:
“Todos concentrados!” (Children make circles with fingers and thumbs and place
around eyes like spectacles.)

H-A-P-P-Y
Teacher says: Is everybody happy?
Children repeat: Yes, ma’m. H –a- p – p – y. Happy! (Clap on letters.)

F-E-L-I-C-E-S
Teacher says: ¿Están todos felices?
Children repeat: Si, maestra. F-e- l- I -c- e -s. Felices! (Clap on letters.)


Give Me a Clap (Tune: “Addams Family”)
Give me a clap. (Clap twice.)
Give me a clap. (Clap twice.)
Give me a clap, give me a clap,
Give me a clap. (Clap twice.)
Give me a snap. (Snap twice.)
Give me a snap. (Snap twice.)
Now fold your hands and put them down
Into your lap. (Model putting your hands in your lap.)

Give Me a Clap (Tune: “Addams Family”)
Aplaudamos (Clap twice.)
aplaudamos (Clap twice.)
aplaudamos, aplaudamos,
aplaudamos. (Clap twice.)
Tronemos los dedos. (Snap twice)
Tronemos los dedos. (Snap twice)
Dobla tus manos y ahora bájalas
En tu regazo. (Model putting your hands in your lap).



Sit Down Chant
Clap your hands. (Clap 3 times slowly.)
Stomp your feet. (Stomp slowly 3 times.)
Put your bottom
in your seat!

Sit Down Chant
Aplaude. (Clap 3 times slowly.)
Marchando. (Stomp slowly 3 times.)
Siéntate
en tu lugar!


How Does My Teacher Feel About Me?
Teacher says: “How does my teacher feel about me?”
Children respond: “I’m as special as special can be because my teacher believes in me!”

How Does My Teacher Feel About Me?
Teacher says: “¿Qué piensa mi maestra de mí?”
Children respond: ¡Soy más especial de lo que especial puede ser,
porque mi maestro cree en mí!"

Hands on Top
Teacher says: Hands on top. (Place hands on head.)
Students respond: Everybody stop. (Place hands on head and freeze.)

Hands on Top
Teacher says: Manos arriba (Place hands on head.)
Students respond: Todos paramos. (Place hands on head and freeze.)


Criss Cross
Criss cross, (Sit on floor and cross legs.)
Be your own boss. (Fold your arms and nod head.)

Criss Cross
Cruza tus piernas. (Sit on floor and cross legs.)
Tu estás a cargo! (Fold your arms and nod head.)


Sitting Chant
1, 2, 3, 4 - glue your bottoms to the floor.
5, 6, 7, 8 - hands to yourself and sit up straight.

Sitting Chant
1, 2, 3, 4 - siéntate en el piso.
5, 6, 7, 8 - manos en tus piernas y sentado derechito.


I Think I Can
This is a great song to sing to encourage children to always give it a try. It goes to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It.”
I think I can are words I like to say.
I think I can are words I like to say.
In time I’ll get it right if I try with all my might.
I think I can are words I like to say.

“Creo que puedo” son palabras que me gusta decir.
“Creo que puedo” son palabras que me gusta decir.
Con el tiempo lo haré bien, si lo intento y me esfuerzo.
“Creo que puedo” son palabras que me gusta decir.

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 101

Great teachers are not born...they are made by the teacher next door. 

If you ever attended one of my workshops you heard me say that! At the end of most workshops I would have a "show and tell" time where teachers could share their ideas. I started collecting their ideas and posting them on my blog about 15 years ago. This coming month I'll share the best of the best each day!

Join me and earn a BA - Borrow and Adapt

BS - Borrow and Steal

*I promise that you'll find some tried and true "jewels" each day!

March 2016
AWESOME IDEAS FROM AUGUSTA, GA!

Basketball Letter Aerobics (Heather Clark)
Pretend to be basketball players as you spell sight words.
Tall letters – shoot the ball into the basket.
Mid-line letters – pass the ball to a friend.
Letters with a tail – dribble the ball.

Monument Yoga (Lynda Smith)
Washington Monument – feet together and arms up and with pointed fingers.
Statue of Liberty – One arm up holding the torch and the other arm holding a book with feet apart.
Honest Abe – sitting position with arms out as if on a chair.
Mount Rushmore – legs apart with chin under fist and switch sides.
The Arch – arms in an arc twice over head.
Liberty Bell – arms down swinging side to side as you say, “Bong, bong, bong, crack!”

*Talk about active learning!!! This is something middle school kids would enjoy!

Getting Quiet Chant (Tatanisha Whitaker)
(Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
If you can hear me with your ears, clap 2 times. (Hold ears open.)
If you can hear me with your ears, clap 2 times.
If you can hear me with your ears, if you can hear me with your ears, if you can hear me with your ears clap 2 times.
*Good for circle time, after group discussions, or sing alongs.

Toy Microphones (Kelsha)
Put toy microphones in the classroom library to encourage students to read. Students can practice making character voices as they read. For example, read with a deep voice for the big bad wolf in “Three Little Pigs.”

Fly Swatter (Heather Clark)
Put Velcro on a fly swatter. Laminate cards with flies on them and put Velcro on the flies. Students swat the flies and identify the information.
*You can put letters, numbers, sight words, etc. on the back side of the fly cards.

Ten Buddies (Ashley Snapp)
If you assign students numbers they will eventually learn each other’s numbers. To help children learn combinations of ten, challenge them to find their “10 buddy.”
Example: Emanuel is #8 and Jaslene is #2 = 10 buddy
If their number is over ten, they have a “minus 10 buddy.”
Example: Joseph is #16 and Gigi is #6 = “minus 10 buddy.”

Attention Grabber (Janice Cleveland)
This will work like a charm even in a gym full of students.
If you can hear my voice, clap twice.
Softer – If you can hear my voice, clap twice.
Whisper – If you can hear my voice, clap twice.
*You can clap or snap.

Selfie Lookin’ Good
Pretend to hold you cell phone in the air and take a picture as you say, “Lookin’ good!”

A FEW MORE TRICKS FOR THE END OF THE YEAR

One of the first things I learned when I did brain research was that the "brain likes novelty." These are all unique tricks that you can try to grab children's attention. I bet you'll find at least one or two that will work for you.


Music Box
Play a music box to indicate to the children it’s time to get quiet.
*One teacher said she wound up the music box at the end of the day and challenged the children to get quiet quickly so there would still be music at the end of the day.

Bubbles
Blow bubbles and see if the children can be sitting quietly before all the bubbles pop.

Happy Chappy
You will need some lip balm with a fragrance. Gently rub children’s right hand with a “happy chappy” when they are following directions.

If You Don’t Know What to Do (Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
If you don’t know what to do look at (child doing the correct thing).
If you don’t know what to do look at ---
She will show you what you ought to do
So you can do it, too.
If you don't know what to do look at ---


Flashlight Spotlight
Take a flashlight and shine it on a child who is modeling the behavior you are looking for. “Spotlight on (child’s name). He’s got his math book and he’s ready to learn.”

Breath through Your Nose
Challenge the children to practice breathing through their noses. Guess what? You can’t talk of your lips are sealed and you are breathing through your nose! (The teacher who shared this said she could run to the office and back and her kids wouldn’t make a peep!)

Peace and Quiet
Make the “peace” sign with one hand as you put the index finger from the other hand on your mouth.

Magic Clap
The teacher begins a clapping pattern which the students try to repeat.

ZYX
Can children sing the alphabet backwards and be sitting quietly by the time you get to A?

ON THE WAY TO THE BARN

Do you know what it means when someone says, “We’re on the way to the barn?” That means you’re almost there…almost home…almost finished with the school year. This is also the time of the year when kids get spring fever and a little restless.

Hint! You will notice that I use hand movements in all of these. I've learned that if I can get children to do something with their hands I have a better chance of engaging them.

Tootsie Roll
Tootsie roll, (Roll hands around each other.)
Lollipop. (Pretend to lick a lollipop.)
We’ve been talking, (Open and shut fingers.)
Now let’s stop! (Make sign language sign for “stop.”)

Hocus Pocus
Teacher says:
“Hocus Pocus!” (Stick out index finger and circle around like a wand.)
Children respond:
“Everybody focus!” (Make circles around eyes like spectacles.)

Student Heroes
5-4-3-2-1-zero (Hold up hand and put down one finger at a time.)
I’m looking for my (Make circles with index fingers and thumbs and place
student heroes. around eyes like glasses.)

Give Me a Clap (Tune: “Addams Family”)
Give me a clap. (Clap twice.) Give me a clap. (Clap twice.)
Give me a clap, give me a clap,
Give me a clap. (Clap twice.)
Give me a snap. (Snap twice.) Give me a snap. (Snap twice.)
Now fold your hands and put them down
Into your lap. (Model putting your hands in your lap.)

Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Lap (Tune: "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes")
Head, shoulders, knees, and lap, (Point to appropriate body part.)
Knees and lap.
Head, shoulders, knees, and lap, (Point to appropriate body part.)
Knees and lap.
Legs are criss-cross applesauce (Cross legs and fold hands.)
And our hands are in our lap, lap, lap

*Cut the label from a can of applesauce and glue it to a stick. Hold it up when you want your students to sit criss-cross applesauce.

Sitting Chant
1, 2, 3, 4 - glue your bottoms to the floor.
5, 6, 7, 8 - hands to yourself and sit up straight.

Hint! Choose one of these attention grabbers and use it consistently for several weeks. That way when the children hear it they will automatically “tune” in.

P.S. Don't forget about those "oldies but goodies" finger plays. After all these years I can still engage a group of children with "Miss Molly," "King Kong," and "Put the Baby to Bed."

GIVE ME A CHEER!

You’ve never downloaded my cheer cards? Well, today is the day!

These cheer cards can be used to focus children’s attention and put a smile on their faces. Every child in your classroom can feel good with these cheers.

What? cheer cards, Cheerios box or Cheer detergent box, heavy paper, scissors

Why? attention grabbers, positive self-esteem, classroom family

When? Large group, small group, all day long

How? Copy the cheer cards below on heavy paper. Cut apart. Introduce one new cheer each day. Use the cheer throughout the day. At the end of the day take a Cheerios box or a Cheer detergent box and say, “We’ve learned a new cheer. Let’s save it in our “cheer box.”

Hint! You can also tape these cheers to a bulletin, classroom door, or the front of your desk.

*When you want to encourage a child, have her reach into the “cheer box” and lead the class in that cheer.

I have two different sets of cheer cards so you can choose the one that you like best.

http://www.drjean.org/html/monthly_act/act_2004/06_june/06_2004_pdf.html

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Dr-Jeans-Cheer-Cards-1270706

Here are two videos where you can watch me demonstrate many of the cheers.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWPA-jYdWe8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hsOFYEMSvI

TRANSITION TIPS AND TRICKS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vK6EKSUJ6Wg

Is, “Shhhhhh!” not working? Well, here are a few tricks for you to try!


Hocus Pocus
Teacher says:
“Hocus Pocus!” (Stick out index finger and circle around like a magic wand.)
Children respond:
“Everybody focus!” (Children make circles with fingers and thumbs and place
around eyes like spectacles.)

Tootsie Roll
Tootsie roll, (Roll hands around each other.)
Lollipop. (Pretend to lick a lollipop.)
We’ve been talking, (Open and shut fingers.)
Now let’s stop! (Make sign language sign for “stop.”)


Student Heroes
5-4-3-2-1-zero (Hold up hand and put down one finger at a time.)
I’m looking for my (Make circles with index fingers and thumbs and
student heroes. place around eyes like glasses.)
*Call the names of children who are sitting quietly.


Special Signals
Blow bubbles. Challenge children to look at you and be quiet before all the bubbles pop.

Open a music box. When children hear the music they should freeze.

Blink the lights, play a xylophone, or make some other unique noise or motion.

Magic Clap
Explain to the children that you have a magic signal that only your class will know about. Every time you clap your hands, you want them to repeat the clap and look at you. Practice clapping various patterns until all the children have joined in..


If You Can Hear My Voice
In a normal voice say:
If you can hear my voice, clap your hands one time.
In a softer voice say:
If you can hear my voice, clap your hands two times.
In a whisper voice say:
If you can hear my voice, please look at me.
Continue lowering your voice until children are focused on you.


Give Me a Clap
(Tune: “Addams Family”)
Give me a clap. (Clap twice.) Give me a clap. (Clap twice.)
Give me a clap, give me a clap,
Give me a clap. (Clap twice.)
Give me a snap. (Snap twice.) Give me a snap. (Snap twice.)
Now fold your hands and put them down
Into your lap. (Model putting your hands in your lap.)

Thumbs Up
Thumbs up, across the chest.
Pat on the back because you’re the best!






How Does My Teacher Feel About Me?
Teacher says: “How does my teacher feel about me?”
Children respond: “I’m as special as special can be because my teacher believes in me!”


Simon Says
Begin a game of Simon Says:
Simon says clap three times.
Simon says put your hands in the air.
Simon says touch your ears.
Simon says blink your eyes, etc.
As children join in the game lower your voice as you say:
Simon says put your hands in your lap and
listen to me…line up at the door…get out your
math books, etc.


Hands on Top
Teacher says: Hands on top. (Place hands on head.)

Students respond: Everybody stop. (Place hands on head and freeze.)


Here's another video where I demonstrate some of these attention grabbers.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xRVtrnnw-w&t=1s 

JANUARY HAPPIES

Start a HAPPIE New Year by downloading this free copy of JANUARY HAPPIES.

Here's your free link for 140+ pages:

 

05-January 

https://bit.ly/drJFreeJan

NOVEMBER HAPPIES

Carolyn Kisloski and I are grateful for YOU, and that’s why we’d like to give you a free copy of our NOVEMBER HAPPIES. You’ll find handshakes, cheers, attention grabbers, and finger plays with a QR code where I demonstrate them. We’ve got activities for beginning writers, days of the week, math, reading, and science, plus a special idea for Veteran’s Day. 

Here's a link so you'll be all set for a NOVEMBER TO REMEMBER!

 

03-November

https://bit.ly/drJFreeNov

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A FEW TRICKS TO THE FINISH LINE

Do you need a few more tricks to grab children's attention?  I bet you'll find at least one or two that will work for you.

Music Box
Play a music box to indicate to the children it’s time to get quiet.
*One teacher said she wound up the music box at the end of the day and challenged the children to get quiet quickly so there would still be music at the end of the day.

Bubbles
Blow bubbles and see if the children can be sitting quietly before all the bubbles pop.

Happy Chappy
You will need some lip balm with a fragrance. Gently rub children’s right hand with a “happy chappy” when they are following directions.

If You Don’t Know What to Do (Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
If you don’t know what to do look at (child doing the correct thing).
If you don’t know what to do look at ---
She will show you what you ought to do
So you can do it, too.
If you don't know what to do look at ---


Flashlight Spotlight
Take a flashlight and shine it on a child who is modeling the behavior you are looking for. “Spotlight on (child’s name). He’s got his math book and he’s ready to learn.”

Breath through Your Nose
Challenge the children to practice breathing through their noses. Guess what? You can’t talk of your lips are sealed and you are breathing through your nose! (The teacher who shared this said she could run to the office and back and her kids wouldn’t make a peep!)

Peace and Quiet
Make the “peace” sign with one hand as you put the index finger from the other hand on your mouth.


Magic Clap
The teacher begins a clapping pattern which the students try to repeat.


ZYX
Can children sing the alphabet backwards and be sitting quietly by the time you get to A?

ABRACADABRA!

You can make a little magic like the leprechauns with this wand. Take wooden chopsticks or coffee stirrers and dip one end in glue. Roll in glitter, dry, and ABRACADABRA! Now, let’s see if we can do a little magic with the wands in your classroom.

Smart Wands
Children walk around the room and point to words, letters, shapes, etc. that they can recognize.
*Encourage them to use whisper voices and make complete sentences.
*Divide children into pairs and let one child point while the other child reads the word.

Trackers
Use wands to track print, identify parts of speech, find details in illustrations, and so forth.

Invisible Writing
Use wands to write letters, words, numerals, etc. in the air.

Story Starters
Prompt creativity by having children write stories about what they would do with a magic wand.

Teacher Magic
Close your eyes as you wave the wand and say, “Abracadabra! I wish that all my students would sit quietly and listen to me.” When they are all quiet you can open your eyes. Taa daa!

Hocus Pocus
Can your students help you come up with some other magic chants? On Sesame Street the Count said, "Allah peanut butter sandwiches." In Cinderella the phrase was, "Salagadoola mechicka boola bibbidi-bobbidi-boo."

Harry Potter Cheer
Give yourself a Harry Potter cheer by putting your finger in the air like a magic wand as you go, “You’re psh psh psh – TERRIFIC!!!”

More Magic
You can also make a magic wand by covering a cardboard pants hanger with aluminum foil. Wave it over the children’s heads as you say, “Abracadabra! You are rabbits.” Children hop around like rabbits until you wave your wand and say, “STOP!” Continue calling out different animals and objects for the children to pantomime.





Butterfly Net
How about this wand made out of a butterfly net? It's perfect for "framing" letters, words, etc.

Here's a new video Alex May has created about St. Patrick's Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOVftEuq5Tk

LITTLE CELEBRATIONS

Here are some ways to celebrate every child.

P.S. You'll be surprised how these "tricks" will focus children's attention!

Drum Roll
Say, “Give me a drum roll” as you pat your thighs. When all are engaged you can make your announcement.

Beethoven
Pretend to hold your violin and play as you hum the first few notes to Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony.
“Da da da daaaaaa. Da da da daaaaa.”

Trumpet Call
Hold pretend trumpet as you go, “Doo doo doo doo doo doooooo!”

Tootaroo
Cut paper towel rolls in half and then let children decorate with markers and stickers. When a student accomplishes a skill or the class does outstanding work you can get out your tootaroos to celebrate.

Toot, toot, toot, toot, taroooo!!

Something New to Celebrate!

Here's a new video that my webmaster (Alex May) has created for you:

https://bit.ly/drJFingerPlaysYouTube

Plus, you can download two printables that go with the video:

https://bit.ly/drJFingerPlaysPDF

https://bit.ly/drJFingerPlays

SHHHHH!

Is, “Shhhhhh!” not working? Well, here are a few tricks for you to try!

Tootsie Roll
Tootsie roll, (Roll hands around each other.)
Lollipop. (Pretend to lick a lollipop.)
We’ve been talking, (Open and shut fingers.)
Now let’s stop! (Make sign language sign for “stop.”)

Hocus Pocus
Teacher says:
“Hocus Pocus!” (Stick out index finger and circle around like a wand.)
Children respond:
“Everybody focus!” (Make circles around eyes like spectacles.)

Student Heroes
5-4-3-2-1-zero (Hold up hand and put down one finger at a time.)
I’m looking for my student heroes.
(Make circles with index fingers and thumbs and placearound eyes like glasses.)

Give Me a Clap
(Tune: “Addams Family”)
Give me a clap. (Clap twice.) Give me a clap. (Clap twice.)
Give me a clap, give me a clap,
Give me a clap. (Clap twice.)
Give me a snap. (Snap twice.) Give me a snap. (Snap twice.)
Now fold your hands and put them down
Into your lap. (Model putting your hands in your lap.)

How Does My Teacher Feel about Me?
Teacher says: How does my teacher feel about me?”
Children respond: I’m as special as special can be (Sparkle fingers.)
because my teacher believes in me! (Hug self.)

Secret Signals
Explain that your class will have some secret signals that no one else knows.

1. When you say “one”, they should sit criss-cross applesauce.
2. When you say “two,” they need to put their hands in their lap.
3. On “three,” they put a smile on their face.
*Make up additional secret numbers, such as “four” stand up straight and “five” hands by sides.

Everybody Have a Seat (Tune: “Shortnin’ Bread”)
Everybody have a seat, have a seat, have a seat.
Everybody have a seat on the floor.
Not on the ceiling, not on the door.
Everybody have a seat on the floor.

*If you want children to sit on a chair change the words and sing,
“Everybody have a seat on your chair. Not on the window, not in the air. Everybody have a seat on your chair.”

If You’re Ready to Get Started
(Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
If you’re ready to get started say, I AM! (Children say, “I am!”)
If you’re ready to get started say, I AM! (Children say, “I am!”)
If you say that you’re not,
You’re going to miss out on a lot.
If you’re ready to get started say, I AM! (Children say, “I am!)

Criss Cross
Criss cross, (Sit on floor and cross legs.)
Be your own boss. (Fold your arms and nod head.)

Sitting Chant
1, 2, 3, 4 - glue your bottoms to the floor.
5, 6, 7, 8 - hands to yourself and sit up straight.

Peace and Quiet
Make the “peace” sign with one hand as you put the index finger from the other hand on your mouth.

Music Box
Play a music box to indicate to the children it’s time to get quiet.
*One teacher said she wound up the music box at the end of the day and challenged the children to get quiet quickly so there would still be music at the end of the day.

Bubbles
Blow bubbles and see if the children can be sitting quietly before all the bubbles pop.

Magic Clap
The teacher begins a clapping pattern which the students try to repeat.

ZYX
Can children sing the alphabet backwards and be sitting quietly by the time you get to A?

Here’s a video where you can watch me demonstrate many of these attention grabbers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5_W3mMfZvY