CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT TOOLS

I don't have a toolbox that will fix all your problems this school year, but I do have a few tools and tips that might help.

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.”

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.




You Knock My Socks Off!
You will need an old pair of socks, a stick, and a piece of string 18” long for this project. Tie a sock to each end of the string. Tie the middle of the string to the stick. When children do something outstanding, take the stick and wave it in the air as you say, “You knock my socks off!”

Mr. Good for You!
A cloth glove, markers, fiberfill, and pipe cleaner are all you need to make a “good for you hand.” First, draw a happy face on one side of the glove with the markers. Fill the glove tightly with fiberfill or another stuffing. Gather the bottom of the glove and secure with a pipe cleaner. Children get “Mr. Good for You” and pat themselves on the back when they accomplish a new task.




Magic Lotion
Take an empty pump dispenser of hand lotion and remove the label. Make a new label for the lotion that says, “Mr./Mrs. (your name)’s Magic Lotion” and tape it to the bottle. When children are upset, frustrated, get a boo boo, or have hurt feelings, give them a “squirt” of magic lotion.

Brain Toys
Fill a shoebox or basket with knotted socks or stress balls. Suggest children get a brain toy when they can’t keep their hands to themselves.



Peace Flower
When two children have a disagreement let them hold the flower with both hands as they look at each other. When they have resolved their conflict they can hug and to back and play.

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!



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.

BACK TO SCHOOL BOOKS

These are some simple books that you can make to create interest in reading and nurture your classroom community.

I Like to Come to School
(Tune: "The Farmer in the Dell")
I like to come to school.
I like to come to school.
I like to learn and play each day
I like to come to school.

I like to make new friends…
I like to read and write…
I like to do math…
I like to sing and draw…/

*Ask children other things they like about school and insert their suggestions in the song.
*Write children’s suggestions on sentence strips and use in a pocket chart.

*Make a class book where each child draws a picture about wh
at they like best at school. They can dictate or write a sentence to go with their drawings. Read the book several times to the class and then allow children to “check it out” and take it home.




Glue each child's photo on a sheet of paper and write “Hello, (child’s name).” at the top. Punch holes in the pages and put them together with book rings. (If you bind the book on the bottom it will be easy to turn the pages as you hold it in your lap.)

Use the book in the following ways:

* Circle or Group Time: Start your day by reading the book together and saying hello to each other.

* Questions: Use the book when you want to ask the class questions. Randomly turn to a page and call on that child to answer the question. This will allow “thinking time” and discourage children from shouting out the answer.

* Transitions: Use this book to dismiss children for learning centers, to line up, and other transitions. Flip through the book and hold up different pictures. As the children see their photo, they may be dismissed, line up, and so on.

* Sing and read this book to the tune of “Good Night, Ladies.”
Hello, (child’s name).
Hello, (child’s name).
Hello, (child’s name).
We're glad you're in our room.


Who Do You See?
We all know wonderful Bill Martin’s “Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see?” Your children will love saying and “reading” this version with you. Put each child’s photo on a page with this chant at the top:


(Child’s name), (child’s name), who do you see?
On the bottom of the page write:
I see (second child’s) name looking at me.
On the last add the teacher’s photo with this rhyme:
Children, children, who do you see?
I see (teacher’s name) looking at me.
(Teacher’s name), (teacher’s name), who do you see?
I see happy children ready to learn with me!

*Make two copies of this book so one child can take it home each day to share with their families.

*Introduce children to school helpers with a similar book with the principal, secretary, custodian, nurse, PE teacher, music teacher, and other specialists.

*Carolyn Kisloski takes a picture of the children's shoes to make this book..."Whose shoes do you see?"

The Name of My School
Do you get tired of children saying, “Teacher, teacher!” the first few days of school. This song will enable them to learn the name of their teacher, school, principal, as well as their community, city, state, and country. Take photographs of yourself, the principal, the school, your community, and so forth. Glue pictures to construction paper and write a verse similar to those below on each page. Sing the words to the tune of “The Wheels on the Bus.”

The name of my school is (school’s name),
school’s name), (school’s name).
The name of my school is (school’s name).
That’s the name of my school.
The name of my teacher is (teacher’s name), (teacher’s name),
(teacher’s name)…

The name of my principal is…
The name of my librarian is…
The name of my P.E. teacher is…



Hint! Make a similar book for social studies concepts.
The name of my city is...
The name of my state is...
The name of my country is...
The name of my continent is...
The name of my planet is...
Hint! You could also include the name of your mayor, governor, President, etc.

WHO IS MY TEACHER?

It’s often been said that, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care!” That is particularly true with children and their parents! Here are some great ideas to help your children and their families get to know you.

Brochure
Make a brochure about yourself, your school, and fun activities you have planned for the year and mail it to the children before school begins (or just give it to them the first day). To make a brochure, fold a sheet of paper into thirds. On the front section write “Welcome to your name’s Classroom!” On the left section place a picture of yourself and write some personal information about your family, pets, experience, etc. On the inside write “We’ll have a great year together…learning to read, experimenting in science, learning math, cooking, taking field trips, singing, etc.

Hint! Make a video of yourself welcoming the students and sharing something about yourself.


Paper Doll Teacher
Here’s something fun to make for your door to welcome the students. Lay on a large sheet of butcher paper and ask a friend to trace around your body. (You’ve probably done this to your children before.) Color yourself and cut yourself out. (Go ahead and take off a few inches if you want to!) Tape this on the door, and then make the following labels and attach them to the different body parts. “A head full of great ideas,” “A mouth to sing you songs and read you stories,” “Arms for hugging,” “Hands to help your learn new things,” “Pockets to hold surprises,” “Play shoes for outdoor fun,” and “A heart full of love for you!”




Who Is My Teacher?
Make a book about yourself to read to the children the first day of school. Include a photograph of yourself as a child, family photos, pictures of pets, favorite foods, hobbies, why you enjoy teaching, etc. Let one child take the book home each evening to share with their families. (What a simple way to build a partnership with your parents!)

Hint! You might even ask each parent to make a similar book about his child to place in your classroom library.

Special Memories
You know all of those love letters and pictures children draw for you each year? Why not use a three-ring notebook to save them so children will realize they are special to you? Keep the notebook in your classroom library so the children can revisit it all year long.




Say “Yes!”
Here's an idea a teacher shared with me years ago. Go to your principal before school starts and ask her to say, “Yes!” when you ask her a question. Then ask your principal to give you the best and brightest children in your room this year. (To which the principal will reply, “Yes!”) On the first day say, “I asked the principal to give me the best and brightest children this year. And here you are!” Throughout the school year remind them that they are the best and the brightest and they will live up to your expectations!

HIGH FIVE DAY IS COMING

April 16th was National High Five Day, but you can start any day with a high five and a smile! Wouldn't your kids be surprised if you drew a smile on your hand like this one?

High Five Cheer
Teach children how to give themselves a “high five” for a job well done. Hold up both palms facing each other in front of your chest. Pretend to wave with one hand as you hold up five fingers on the other hand. “Hi 5!” Get it?


Pat on the Back
Trace around each child’s hand on construction paper and let them cut it out. Write a positive comment about each child on the hand and tape it to their back at the end of the day. Parents will be proud when they see their child’s “pat on the back.” 

Pickle Tickle Partner Game
Up high. (Give a high five up in the air.)
Down low. (High five down by knees.)
Cut the pickle. (One child touches fingertips horizontally as the other child pretends to slice in between.)
Give a tickle. (Gently tickle each other.)

HIGH FIVE FOR A NEW RHYMING VIDEO

https://bit.ly/drJRhymes01

THE WRITING PROCESS

How about some tips for encouraging all those budding authors in your classroom?

Who Knows the Writing Process?
(Children repeat each line to this chant as you open your arms wide and clap as you step from side to side.)
Chorus:
Who knows the writing process?
I know the writing process.

First step. (Hold up one finger.)
Brainstorm. (Hands on the side of your head and shake down.)
Chorus

Second step…(Hold up 2 fingers.)
Write it down…(Pretend to write with index finger on palm.)
Chorus

Third step…(Hold up 3 fingers.)
Edit your work…(Shake finger.)
Chorus

Fourth step…(Hold up 4 fingers.)
Publish your work…(Brush hands together.)
Chorus
Oh, yeah! (Hands on hips with an attitude.)


Handy Edit
Teach children how to edit their work with this “handy” idea.
(Make a fist with your right hand to begin.)
1. If you started your sentence with a capital letter you can stick up your thumb.
2. If you read the sentence and it makes sense you can stick up your index finger.
3. If you remembered to put punctuation at the end you can stick up your pinky finger.
4. Then you can say, “I love my sentence.” (Turn your fist over and you will be making sign language for “love.”)

Chew and Write
Give children a piece of sugarless gum. Once they write their name they can open the gum and start chewing. They are allowed to chew the gum as long as they keep on writing!

Colorful Details
Encourage students to add color and detail to their illustrations by asking them to use as many colors in their books as they are in age.

SELLING WRITING

Good teachers are sales people and they have to SELL children on writing. How empowering to tell a child, "YOU ARE A WRITER!" "YOU ARE AN AUTHOR!"

Here's a great chant where children can move and get their "writing groove" going!

The Writing Process
Children repeat each line to this chant as you open your arms wide and clap as you step from side to side.

Chorus:
Who knows the writing process?
(Children repeat.)
I know the writing process.
(Children repeat.)

First step. (Hold up one finger.)
(Repeat)
Brainstorm. (Hands on the side of your head and shake down.)
(Repeat)
Chorus

Second step…(Hold up 2 fingers.)
(Repeat)
Write it down…(Pretend to write with index finger on palm.)
(Repeat)
Chorus

Third step…(Hold up 3 fingers.)
(Repeat)
Edit your work…(Shake finger.)
(Repeat)
Chorus

Fourth step…(Hold up 4 fingers.)
(Repeat)
Publish your work…(Brush hands together.)
(Repeat)
Chorus

Oh, yeah! (Hands on hips with an attitude.)
(Repeat)

Writer's Wall of Fame
Here’s a simple idea that will save you time and encourage all those little “authors” and “illustrators” in your classroom. All you need is a file folder to make a display pocket for each child. Cut a 1 ¼” border around the top half of the file folder. Let children decorate it with their name and pictures. Open and laminate. Fold in half and staple to a bulletin board or tape to a wall. Children can display their own work by slipping drawings, stories, etc. in the pocket.

Handy Edit
Teach children how to edit their work with this “handy” idea.
(Make a fist with your right hand to begin.)

1. If you started your sentence with a capital letter you can stick up your thumb.

2. If you read the sentence and it makes sense you can stick up your index finger.

3. If you remembered to put punctuation at the end you can stick up your pinky finger.

4. Then you can say, “I love my sentence.” (Turn your fist over and you will be making sign language for “love.”)

Ready for Writing Rap (Traci Wade)
1, 2…sit up, please do.
3, 4…feet flat on the floor.
5, 6…push your chair in quick.
7, 8…lay your paper straight.
9,10…write neatly then.

Chew and Write
Give children a piece of sugarless gum. Once they write their name they can open the gum and start chewing. They are allowed to chew the gum as long as they keep on writing!

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS DAY

February 17th is officially Random Acts of Kindness Day, but these activities are a great follow-up to Valentine's Day! Start the day tomorrow by asking what "random acts of kindness" means. Brainstorm examples and then challenge each of your students to do at least 3 acts of kindness during the week.


Kindness Club

Write "The Kindness Club" on the board or a poster and have students write the names of classmates who do something kind for them.

Give each child "kindness tickets" to distribute to friends who do something nice for them.

*Thanks to Carolyn Kisloski for creating these tickets and poster for you.





https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1SnEagA4jljaHRsT05ZYmxPZlE/view?usp=sharing


Kindness Bracelet
Make bracelets from pipe cleaners. When they do a good deed they can get a bead and add it to their bracelet.

Kindness Book
Make a "Kindness Book" where students can record something positive a classmate has done for them.

Here are some other suggestions from randomactsofkindness.org:

1. Smile at one extra person.

2. Each lunch (or play) with someone new.

3. Make sure to say "I love you" or give someone special a hug.

4. Send a positive message or help someone.

P.S. Check out the KINDNESS IN THE CLASSROOM LESSON PLANS at
randomactsofkindness.org!

THE WORLD KEEPS CHANGING, BUT CHILDREN ARE THE SAME!

How we treat children is what they will become! 

A friend who taught with me over 50 years ago visited recently and said, “I remember how you would take the most pitiful little child and write on their hand: YOU ARE AMAZING AND WONDERFUL! Or, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL! Or, YOU ARE SPECIAL!" She said, “Why did you do that?” My response was, for once in their lives, I wanted them to feel that way. I wanted them to know that someone believed in them. (Now they’d probably throw me in jail for writing on a child’s hand, but you get the point.)




THROWBACK

Pats for Parents

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


I Am Statements
“I am” statements are another way to encourage positive behavior. (These can be based on your school’s goals or let the children suggest statements.) Write these on a language experience chart and then begin the day by sticking up your thumbs and repeating them.

I am respectful.

I am trustworthy.

I am responsible.

I am fair.

I am caring.

I use good manners.

I use kind words.

I can do it! 

IF YOU LOVE THE LORD!

We sang this song at Bible school this week and the kids loved it.  Alex May created this video for you to use.

https://bit.ly/drJClapHands

MAMA BEARS ARE MAMA BEARS

Kids are kids and parents are parents regardless 

of ability or socioeconomic status.

A teacher once told me that she had taught in low income schools and high income schools and that she had discovered that all parents wanted to protect their children and wanted what was best for their child.  That's why we need to do everything we can to make parents feel like we are "partners" and we think their child is wonderful and amazing!!

I just had to add that baby bears are baby bears regardless of IQ.  Children are children and they want to play and be loved!

Note!  last fall my daughter went to open house at her kids' high school.  One teacher actually said, "Thank you for sharing your child with me this year!"  What a beautiful thought!  

THROWBACK

Everybody lives surprises - especially children! Place a book, natural object, shape, or anything you want to talk about in a gift bag and sing this song:

Surprise Sack
(Tune: “I’m a Little Teapot”)
What’s in the surprise sack who can tell?
Maybe it’s a book or maybe it’s a shell?
What’s in the surprise sack who can see?
It’s something special for you and me!

Give them a few clues and invite children to guess what is in the bag. Slowly pull it out and you’ll have their undivided attention.

Hint! If you go to a conference or take a trip put a small souvenir in a gift bag (book, shell, pencil, toy, etc.) and cover with tissue paper. Children pass the bag around and use a complete sentence to guess what is in the bag. When all have had a turn remove the object and give it to the children like a “present.”

BORROW AND ADAPT

If you ever attended one of my workshops I usually started by telling teachers that they would have to earn a BA and a BS from me.

BA – Borrow and Adapt what I do!
BS – Borrow and Steal what I do!



Where do you think I got 99% of the activities and tips? Yes, from teachers just like you!

Always remember that we have to hold hands and stick together like we tell our children!


THROWBACK

Sitter Spot (You've got to make these this year!)
Cut 8” circles out of fun foam or felt and write the children’s names on them. Arrange for circle time to give children a special place to sit. Arrange spots to disperse problems and encourage social interactions.

*Children can also use these for their “special spot” for doing quiet activities like independent reading.

PEOPLE SING BECAUSE THEY ARE HAPPY!

People sing because they are happy, 

and they are happy because they sing!

Aren't kids great?  Even if you think you "can't sing," they'll think you are a star.  Music is a magical way to create a classroom family.  You can sing to start your day, reinforce a concept, give children a brain break, activate multiple senses, be silly together... You know I could go on all day about this!!!


THROWBACK

Song Pops 

Make these  song pops so you'll always have a song when you need one.  Cut 3" circles out of construction paper.  Write song titles on the circles and glue to craft sticks to make "song pops."  Place in a can and when you need to wiggle and smile pull out a song pop and sing and dance!