MORNING MINDFULNESS

How you start your morning can create positive feelings that will last all day long. Stretching, breathing, and balancing can help children "center" themselves so they can focus and learn.

Morning Stretch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIq9TbaCokc

Five Finger Breathing
Children stretch out one hand like a star. They take the pointer finger of the other hand and trace the outside of the thumb as they inhale. They exhale as they trace the inside of the thumb. Inhale as they go up the index finger. Exhale as they go down the index finger. Continue inhaling and exhaling until all the fingers have been touched.



*Reverse and do the same thing using the opposite hand and finger.


Balancing Act
Balancing is a simple, yet powerful way to help children calm their bodies and engage their brains. Balancing is quiet and requires no special equipment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Thq9MTAUfSY

DO YOU RECALL?

Asking children to recall and retell information throughout the day is a simple, yet powerful way to boost brain power.

Right Now! Right Now!
Several times a day call out in an enthusiastic voice:
Right now, right now, right now, right now! (Children freeze.)
Who can tell me something they’ve learned that they didn’t know when they came in the classroom this morning. (Point to random children to tell you something they’ve learned. This will be difficult at first, but keep doing it and they will improve.)

Partner Share – Children turn to a friend or study buddy and retell a story, reteach a lesson, etc.

Catch and Tell – Toss a ball, beanbag, or wadded up sheet of paper to a student. That student tells something she learned and then tosses it back to you. Continue tossing the ball to other students.

Recall Chant – End the day by going around the room as you say this chant to each child:
Hey, Hey, what do you say?
What did you learn in school today?
(Children say what they learned.)

Microphone - Pass a play microphone around the room as each students says something they learned.
*Let them pretend to be news reporters as they state the "facts" of what they did at school.

Good for You – Children pat themselves on the back as they tell what they learned or what they did that made them feel proud.

Kiss Your Brain – Write “Kiss Your Brain!” on a poster and tape it to your door. Before children leave for the day they must say something they learned and then kiss their brains.

Catch a Star
Ask children to think of something new they learned or something they did that made them feel proud. Tell them to reach up and grab a star and then put it in their hearts.

Close Your Eyes and Smile
Have children close their eyes. If they can see something new they learned they can open their eyes and smile at you.

Fist List
Children make a fist and then hold up a finger for each new thing they learned that day.

BRAINY RECALL

Have you ever heard the saying: "Work smarter, not harder." That's what I like so much about the brain research. There are some very simple strategies that you can easily integrate into your day that can improve learning in powerful ways.

According to brain research children need to recall information throughout the day. (Think of it as that extra pat on the back or a second helping of dessert.) Here are a few tips for having children recall information after you’ve read a story, taught a lesson, or at the end of the day.


Thumbs Up Thinking
If you’ve learned something new you can stick up your thumb. If you’ve learned more than one new thing you can stick up a finger for each additional thing.

Visualize
Have children close their eyes and reflect on what they did well and what they learned. 

Partner Share

Have children turn to a friend and share something new they learned.

Toss and Tell

Take a bean bag or wadded up paper ball. Ask a review question and then toss the ball to a student. The student answers the question or says something they learned and then tosses the ball back to you. Continue as time permits.




Catch a Star
Ask children to think of something new they learned or something they did that made them feel proud. Tell them to reach up and grab a star and then put it in their hearts.

Close Your Eyes and Smile
Have children close their eyes. If they can see something new they learned they can open their eyes and smile at you.

Fist List
Children make a fist and then hold up a finger for each new thing they learned that day.




Kiss Your Brain
Write “Kiss Your Brain!” on a poster and tape it to your door. Before children leave for the day they must say something they learned and then kiss their brains.

Chant 

Start a beat for this chant by slapping thighs and clapping hands. Go around the room as you say the chant and children respond:
Hey, Hey, what do you say?  
What did you learn in school today?

BRAIN TOYS

Today you’ll find are some simple props your students can use for brain breaks. I’d make one each week and use it every day for a different movement.

Streamers - Staple strips of tissue paper (18” x 1”) to a straw and invite children to follow along as you make cross lateral movements to music.
*Make rainbows across your head with your right hand and then your left hand.
*Make big circles in front of your body with your right hand and then your left hand.
*Make “lazy” eights (8 on it’s side) with your right hand and then your left hand.
*Clasp hands and make rainbows, circles, and lazy eights.

Hint! Children can also use surveying tape of 3’ sections of toilet paper as streatmers.

Paper Ball Juggling - Begin by having children wad up a piece of scrap paper.
*Can they toss it and catch it?

*Can they play catch with a friend?
*Can they toss it, clap, and then catch it?
*How many times can they toss it without dropping it?
*Can they toss it from the right hand to the left and vice versa.
*Add a second paper ball and let the fun begin!
Hint! You can make inexpensive juggling scarves by cutting net fabric into 12” squares.


Paper Plates – Give each child two paper plates.
*Can they clap them to the beat, make rainbows, use them like cymbals, or make other movements?
*Place the plates on the floor and put a foot on each plate. Now you’re ready to skate by sliding your feet.


Drum Sticks - Who doesn’t want to be a drummer? Children can use cardboard rollers from paper towel rolls, popsicle sticks, or pencils like drumsticks to tap the beat of the music.

               

*Make pattern cards for children to follow along. Vertical lines mean tap the sticks on the table or floor. “X” means to cross sticks and tap. __ means to hold sticks up and pause.

ABRACADABRA

Use your finger like a magic wand as you wave it and say, "Abracadabra!." Explain that when you say a word, they must become the word. When you say, "Freeze!" they need to stand still until you wave your wand and say another word. For example, "Abracadabra! You're frogs!"


ANIMALS
Call out different animals for children to imitate.

Frog – Jump up and down.
Bird – Flap arms.
Mouse – Tip toe.
Horse – Gallop in place.
Monkey – Scratch under arms and bounce up and down.
Giraffe – Stretch arms high in the air and walk on toes.
Elephant – Arms together and swing like a trunk as you bend over.
Flamingo – Stand on one foot and balance.
Snake – Wiggle up and down.

Hint! Glue pictures to cards and hold them up for the younger children. Write words on flash cards for the older students.


SEASONAL WORDS
Use holiday or seasonal symbols to stimulate children’s brains and imaginations.

Scarecrow – Children flop arms around.
Bat – Flap arms.
Cat – Arch back and meow.
Pumpkin – Arms around head.
Spider, witch, Frankenstein, etc.


VOCABULARY WORDS
Reinforce vocabulary words by having children dramatize their meaning.

Seed – Bend down.
Roots – Stick out legs.
Stem – Stand up straight.
Leaves – Stretch out arms.
Flower – Arms around head as you smile.


PARTS OF SPEECH
Call out adjectives, adverbs, nouns, and verbs for children to dramatize.

Anxious, Brave, Curious
Slowly, Quickly, Angrily
Fire Fighter, Nurse, Chef
Chatter, Build, Sleep, Exercise

*Creativity can really blossom with this activity because there's no right or wrong way to do it.

MAGIC WAND!

How about making a magic wand out of a chop stick.  Dip the end in glue, roll in glitter, and ABRACADABRA!

BUDDY TIME BRAIN BREAKS

First, everyone will need a buddy. “Elbow partners” where children stick out their elbow and the person’s elbow they touch is a quick way to do this. You could also quickly number your students 1-12 and then 1-12 (depending on the number in your class). Ones get together, twos, threes, and so forth.

Patty Cake - Have children play hand clap games, such as “Miss Mary Mack” or “Say, Say My Playmate.” (You can find lots of these online.) Children face a partner and clap their hands together. Next, clap right hand to partner’s right hand. Clap hands together and then clap left hand to partner’s left hand. Continue the pattern.
He learned to tie his shoe.
*Patty cake and count to 10, 20, 50, 100 or more!
*Skip count by 2’s, 5’s, 10’s etc. as you patty cake.
*Patty cake spelling words or word wall words
*Say nursery rhymes or other poems as you patty cake with a partner.
*Say ABC’s saying letter and making then making the sound.

Ride that Pony 

Ride, ride, ride that pony, (Face partner and begin clapping
Get up and ride that big, black pony. to the beat. Bounce up and down
Ride, ride, ride that pony. as if riding on a pony.)
This is what they told me.
Front, front, front, my baby. (Clap hands up in the air with partner.)
Side, to side, to side, my baby. (Gently bump hips on the side.)
Back, back, back, my baby, (Turn around and bump back sides.)
This is what they told me. (Find a new partner.)

Spider Challenge – Children sing the “Itsy Bitsy Spider” as they make the motions on a partner’s back. Next, have children stand next to their partner and extend their inside arms around their partner’s waist. Each child will use her outside arm to sing the song and cooperate with their partner.

Back to Back – Children touch backs with a partner. The children continue to touch various body parts as the teacher calls them out. End with, “Bottoms to chairs.”

Head, Shoulders – Slowly sing the song as children face their partner and gently touch their partner’s body parts. (You might need to demonstrate the meaning of “gently”!)
*Just for fun have partners put their backs to each other and touch body parts.

Criss Cross Applesauce – Do this on each other’s backs:
Cross cross, (Make an “x” on back.)
Applesauce, (Wiggle fingers down back.)
Spiders crawling up your back. (Crawl fingers up back.)
Warm breeze. (Gently blow on neck.)
Gentle squeeze. (Hug from behind.)
Now you’ve got the shiveries! (Tickle fingers down back.)
Hint! Have children stand in a circle and face right. That way they will each have a back to write on.

Plant a Garden – Do on each other’s backs:
Dig up the dirt. (Knead back with fingers.)
Rake the ground. (Stroke down with fingertips.)
Dig holes for the seeds. (Pretend to dig holes with index finger.)
Cover up the seeds. (Finger covers up seeds.)
Pat the dirt down. (Pat back with both hands.)
Here comes the rain. (Lightly touch the back with fingertips.)
Up come the plants. (Make upward movement with hands.)
Then you pick, pick, pick. (Pretend to pick plants.)
Note! If children are sensitive and don’t want to participate do not force them.

A DAY AT THE SPA

I knew that title would get your attention! Actually, today’s ideas are ways to help children calm down and relax when they are over excited.

Balancing Act – Ask children to stand. How long can they balance on their right foot? How long can they balance on their left foot? Can they balance on their right toes? Left toes? Can they balance on their right foot and extend their left leg in the air? Can they balance on one foot with their eyes closed?
Hint! Classical music is lovely for balancing activities.

Deep Breathing – Inhale slowly as you count to 8. Exhale slowly as you count backwards from 8 to 1. Breath in hot chocolate. Breath out and blow the candles out on a birthday cake.

Vacation – Tell your class to give their mouth and their eyes a “vacation” by closing their eyes and mouths. Next, ask them to practice breathing through their noses. You’ll be amazed at how this brings down their energy level and helps them focus.

Lip Sinc – Make motions as you mouth the words to finger plays and songs. Invite children to join you when they recognize what you are doing.

“Eye” Exercise - Demonstrate how to hold your two index fingers a few inches from your eyes on either side of your head. Look at the right index finger with both eyes and then look at the left index finger.

Tighten~Relax – Tighten up your body as tight as you can and squeeze, squeeze, squeeze. Then relax and let it all go. Repeat several times.
*Starting with the toes, call out one body part at a time for children to squeeze and then relax. For example, toes, feet, knees, legs, hips, back, fingers, arms, shoulders, necks, faces, and then a whole body SQUEEZE!

Rag Dolls and Soldiers – When the teacher calls out “rag dolls” everyone flops over like a rag doll. When the teacher says, “soldiers,” everyone stands up tall and stiff. Continue calling out “rag dolls” and “soldiers” faster and faster.

Make Rain - Ask the children to do what you do and they’ll get a surprise!
Tap right index finger to your left palm 10 times.
Tap right index finger and middle finger to your left palm 10 times.
Tap right index, middle, and ring finger to your left palm 10 times.
Tap right index, middle, ring, and pinky finger to your left palm 10 times.
Clap hands 10 times.
Clap hands and stomp feet 10 times.
(Reverse movements)
Place hands quietly in your lap and smile.

SPORTING AROUND

By acting out various sports your students can oxygenate their brains and cross the midline.  I’m sure your class can add to this list.  (Send me an email with their suggestions and I’ll post it on my blog.)

*Model how to do each sport and then “practice” for a minute or two.  Once students know the movements you can play a game where you name different sports and they have to switch motions.

Baseball – Pick up the ball and throw it.  Bat the ball.

Football – Feet apart and run quickly in place with arms out in front of you.

Soccer – Kick across your body with your right foot and then kick across with your left foot.

Tennis – Shuffle in place and pretend to hit the ball with your right hand.  Shuffle and pretend to hit the ball with your left hand.

Golf – Golfer’s stance.  Swing and hit.  Turn in the opposite direction and swing and hit.

Basketball – Dribble, dribble, shoot!  (Jump up on toes.)

Karate – Feet spread apart with knees bent.  Pretend to chop with your right hand and then chop with your left hand.

Skiing – Knees together and bend to the left as you swing your arms.  Knees to the right as you swing your arms.

Ice Skating – Alternate arms in front as you pretend to glide on different legs.

 

                                    

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

 

DANCE PARTY

“Dance with the stars” in your room and activate the brain at the same time. All you need is some good music and a little enthusiasm.

Hint! Model these moves and then invite children to join in.
*Children can do these standing up or sitting in their chairs.

Disco Dance – Put right index finger in the air and point to the left. Bring right index finger down by your side. Place left index finger in the air and point to the right. Then bring down by your side.

Swim - Pretend to swim by stroking arms. Can you backstroke? Sidestroke?

Funky Monkey - Fists out in front and move them up and down to the beat.

Hitchhike - Right thumb up and move across your body. Left thumb and move across the body.

Twist - Elbows by waist and rotate upper body.

Chicken - Hands in armpits and flap like wings.

Pony – Pretend to hold reins as you bounce up and down.

Batman – Make “v” with index and middle fingers and swoop them across your eyes.

Salsa - Left arm bent with index finger up in the air. Right arm bent with finger in air.

Bollywood – Right palm up in the air like you’re screwing in a light bulb. Left palm down like you’re turning on a water spicket.


Dance with Me!

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

Chair Can Can

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIOSRvmYp94

My Bonnie Bounce

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ONWTT-JFu8

NEUROBICS

“Neurobics” is a term that refers to brain exercises or activities that can improve students’ learning. Although you can’t get inside your students’ heads and shake up their brains, these activities can help make your students’ brains more alert. You can use these brain breaks to start your day, between lessons, or whenever your students appear bored or restless.

Hint!  Introduce one activity at a time and observe how your class responds. Write those they like on a poster or put them on index cards and store them in a “brain break” can. Encourage students to choose their favorites and lead the class.


CROSSING THE MIDLINE

Draw a line vertically down the middle of your body. That’s called the midline. Every time you cross over that line, you are helping connect the hemispheres in the brain. Let students put a piece of painter’s tape or masking tape on their midline to increase their awareness when you do these activities. Put on some lively music and practice these movements for about 30 seconds each. (My Raggedy Ann doll that I made over 60 years ago agreed to be my model for the masking tape midline!)

Simple Tap - Touch right hand to left knee and left hand to right knee.


Bend and Stretch - Lift left knee and touch with right elbow. Lift right knee and touch with left elbow.


Backwards Touch - Lift left foot behind you and stretch back with right hand and touch. Reverse for the right foot and left hand.


Windmills – Stretch out feet. Touch right hand to left foot. Stand. Touch left hand to right foot.


CHAIR EXERCISES FOR THE BRAIN

Students can do these movements in their chairs or while sitting on the rug.

Catch a Star –Reach with right hand up in the air to your left and pretend to catch a star. Then reach with your left hand up in the air to your right and catch a star.

Pat on the Back – Alternate patting the back of your left shoulder with your right hand and your right shoulder with your left hand.

Nose and Ears – Touch right ear with left hand and place right hand on your nose. Touch left ear with right hand and place left hand on your nose.

Brain Hug
Thumbs up. Thumbs down. Cross your arms. Clasp your fingers.
Bring your hands under and into your chest. Give yourself a hug.


Jump Up, Turn Around, Cross the Midline

Click to view video

NURSERY RHYMES FOR BRAIN POWER!

When children memorize words to rhymes and songs it's almost like sending their brains to the gym!

Click to view video

Nursery rhymes have many uses to support learning.

HOW CAN PLAY BENEFIT THE CHILD?

Brain researchers, pediatricians, educators, child psychologists, and theorists all agree that we must protect and preserve PLAY! It is interesting that there is no evidence that children who read at five are better readers than those that learn at six or seven. Study after study reports that children from play-based classes excelled in reading, math, and social and emotional adjustments. They also seemed to fare better as adults in work. 

Brain Growth
When children play, their whole brain is stimulated. Play is multi-sensory, engaging, creative, and joyful. (How many of the senses are actually stimulated when a child plays a computer game?)

Dewar (Cognitive Benefits of Play) reports the following:Play improves memory and stimulates the growth of the cerebral cortex.

Play and exploration trigger the secretion of BDNR, a substance essential for the growth of brain cells.

Kids pay more attention to academic tasks when they are given frequent, brief opportunities for free play.
(Note, studies show that PE classes are not as effective as recess for cognitive benefits. PE is too structured, but a recess break can be truly playful.)

There is a link between play and the development of language skills.
Math skills benefit from play.

John Ratey argues that more physical fitness will lower obesity and improve academic performance. “Exercise stimulates the gray matter to produce Miracle-Gro for the brain… Dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine are elevated after exercise.” These can help with focus, calming down, and impulsivity.

Ginsburg notes: “Studies have found that children who engage in dramatic games of make-believe develop stronger language skills, better social skills, and more imagination than children who do not play this way.”


Social Development
Play develops the executive function. (impulse control, task initiation, delayed gratification)

When children play in groups they learn to share, communicate, cooperate, and collaborate. These are all 21st Century Skills!

Without play there are more behavior problems in the classroom. This is especially true for boys because sedentary learning is more difficult for them.

Children can learn to play different roles and practice life skills.

Play is essential for building relationships with parents, teachers, and friends.

Play helps children adjust to school.

Children can learn to solve their own problems through play.

Emotional Development

Play builds self-confidence.

Play provides children with the opportunity to master their world.

Play releases dopamine which makes children happy. It is an antidote for depression.

Children tell us things through their play because it serves as a bridge between fantasy and reality.

Play can relieve stress and help children manage their emotions.

Children can express new insights and be creative through play.

Play nurtures children’s individual talents and interests.

When playing children learn to experiment and take risks.

Children can develop self-help skills and independence when they play

Physical Development

Physical play builds healthy bodies and reduces the risk of obesity.

Play develops large motor skills as well as small motor skills.

Unstructured outdoor play can reduce ADHD and even improve test scores.

Cognitive Development

Through play children learn to understand the world.

Play develops language skills and vocabulary.

Play allows children to plan and make decisions.

Block building lays the groundwork for mathematical thinking.

SEL AND EF

So, what do social emotional learning and executive function have in common? Feeling good about yourself and learning how to cooperate and work with others are paramount in every person's life. But how are children ever going to develop these skills as they sit in front of a screen? Here are a few simple strategies that might brighten your school day and nurture the WHOLE child.

Social Play
Vygotsky maintained that dramatic play is where children learn to regulate themselves. They take on imaginary roles and must stick to their roles and adjust to changing plots.

Note! Isn't it frustrating that every expert on SEL and EF emphasize the importance of play, while increasingly play is disappearing from our classrooms and children’s lives!!!


Sing and Dance
Music is the perfect opportunity for students to learn to follow directions and develop self-regulation.


IPhone
You can use a play phone or make your own "I" phone similar to the one below. Start each day by passing the phone around the class and asking each child to say a sentence about what they want to learn or do that day. “I …..” Only the person holding the phone is allowed to talk!




Classroom Experts (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.


Compliment Circle
Children sit in a circle and the teacher begins by giving a child a compliment. The first child then passes on a compliment to another friend and so on until everyone has had a turn giving and receiving a compliment.
*Let children toss a sponge ball or bean bag around as they compliment each other.
*Give a “hand hug.” Teacher squeezes the first child’s hand, then
they continue to pass the “hand hug” around the circle until it gets
back to the teacher.
*Let each child “pass” a smile around the room.


Brain Hug
Teach children how to give themselves a “brain hug” and you will also help them gain self-control and center themselves.
Thumbs up. (Extend arms in front of you with thumbs up.)
Thumbs down.
Cross your wrists.
Clasp fingers.
Bring your clasped fingers down and in towards your chest and hug yourself.

Pat on the Back
Students raise their right hand, stretch it across their body, and pat their left shoulder as they say, “Good job! Good job!”



*Cut hands out of construction paper. Write positive comments for students and tape them on their backs.

TESTING! TESTING!

TESTING! TESTING!

If I were in charge of the world you wouldn't be allowed to test little children! Unfortunately, I'm not in charge of the world, and even young children are experiencing "test anxiety" this time of year. How ridiculous for a four or five year old to be worried about a test! Bless their hearts...and bless your hearts.

Nevertheless, here are some activities that might help children relax and focus before a test. They might also be a good break between tests.

Deep Breathing

Inhale slowly as you count to 8. Exhale slowly as you count backwards from 8 to 1. Breath in hot chocolate. Breath out and blow the candles out on a birthday cake. 

 

Tighten~Relax 

Tighten up your body as tight as you can and squeeze, squeeze, squeeze. Then relax and let it all go. Repeat several times.

*Starting with the toes, call out one body part at a time for children to squeeze and then relax. For example, toes, feet, knees, legs, hips, back, fingers, arms, shoulders, necks, faces, and then a whole body SQUEEZE!

Rag Dolls and Soldiers

When the teacher calls out “rag dolls” everyone flops over like a rag doll. When the teacher says, “soldiers,” everyone stands up tall and stiff. Continue calling out “rag dolls” and “soldiers” faster and faster.
 


“Eye” Exercise

Demonstrate how to hold your two index fingers a few inches from your eyes on either side of your head. Look at the right index finger with both eyes and then look at the left index finger.
                                                    


Balancing Act 

Ask children to stand. How long can they balance on their right foot? How long can they balance on their left foot? Can they balance on their right toes? Left toes? Can they balance on their right foot and extend their left leg in the air? Can they balance on one foot with their eyes closed?

Hint! Classical music is lovely for balancing activities.

Vacation 

Tell your class to give their mouth and their eyes a “vacation” by closing their eyes and mouths. Next, ask them to practice breathing through their noses. You’ll be amazed at how this brings down their energy level and helps them focus.


Silly Dance 

Play some catch music for the children to do the silly dance. When you stop the music they have to "freeze." Continue playing and stopping the music as the children dance and freeze.


Hint! The "finger neurobics" that K.J. demonstrated several years ago would also be an excellent way to calm children.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sB4lXUhRfMU

CRITICAL THINKING CARDS

Many times when teachers are evaluated they are criticized for not using higher order questions. I’ve created these prompt cards that may help you improve in this area. You can download them and then cut out the ones that are most appropriate for your grade level. Glue them to index cards, punch a hole, and attach them to a book ring.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1SnEagA4jljVTNCemZnbUJVMVk/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-n2sk1JhhwMTdf0rxDX2Y2Q 

*Hint! Color code the different levels. For example, you could outline level one questions with a green marker. Outline level two with a blue marker, and so forth.

THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION

Isn’t it interesting that one of the most powerful teaching strategies is frequently overlooked? Between screens and assessment, there is the hidden secret of asking GOOD questions. As simple as it may seem, that’s something we can all practice and improve in 2025.

Why ask questions?

*Spark children’s interest

*For assessment

*To evaluate teaching effectiveness

*To see where students are to set new goals

*Evaluate children’s level of understanding

*Motivate students to seek information

*To encourage children to see new relationships

*To challenge children to think critically

*To help students make personal connections with the information

*To encourage communication and learning among students

*To summarize and evaluate


Here are some general tips for asking good questions:

Open-ended – Ask open-ended questions, rather than “yes” or “no.”
Convergent questions have one answer, but divergent questions encourage students to make new connections and think outside the box.

Phrase Questions Clearly – Focus on one aspect at a time.

Acknowledge Responses - Avoid judging answers by repeating their response. “Good thinking!” “That’s close.” “I never thought about that before.” “Kiss your brain!”

How did you know that? Encourage children to “think out loud.” This will help peers develop higher thinking skills.

Probe – Extend students’ thinking by having them clarify an idea or support an opinion.

Give Time (Smile! ) – Help children think about what they want to say and provide for individual differences by asking children to smile if they know the answer. Allow at least 3-5 seconds of think time.

Pause – Pause a few seconds after students have responded. This may encourage them to think more deeply or to elaborate.

Come back tomorrow for some specific strategies that are easy to implement and could have powerful results!