LITTLE LESSONS FOR ONLINE LEARNING PART 7

Wakey!  Wakey!

It's going to be a great day!

I can't wait to demonstrate 

these attention grabbers

on Facebook Live at ten!!

ATTENTION GRABBERS FOR DISTANCE LEARNING!

We all know that YOU HAVE TO REACH THEM BEFORE YOU CAN TEACH THEM!  However, reaching them on a screen is a new challenge.  Here are a few tips I'll demonstrate today.

Surprise Them! 
Brain Research 101 says the brain likes anything that is novel, challenging, and new. Wear a hat, silly pair of glasses, or use a strange voice.
 
Cut the top and bottom off a food box, insert the puppet on your hand, and then let the puppet pop out the box and sing a song, talk about an event, or say a rhyme.


Attention Grabbers
Teacher says:
“Hocus Pocus!” (Stick out index finger and circle around like a wand.)
Children respond:
“Everybody focus!” (Make circles around eyes like spectacles.)
*Practice this several times until it becomes automatic.

Finger Play
Do a finger play to focus those busy hands. As you end the "Finger Band" quietly and slowly it will pull them in.

The finger band is (Start with your hands behind your back
Coming to town, and wiggle them as you slowly bring
Coming to town, them in front.)
Coming to town.
The finger band is
Coming to town so early in the morning.

This is the way (Pretend to play drums.)
They play their drums…
This is the way
They twirl their hats… (Twirl hands around your head.)
This is the way (Pretend to play a horn.)
They play their horns…
(Let children suggest other instruments and motions.)

The finger band (Slowly wiggle fingers behind you
Is going away, as you lower your voice to a whisper.)
Going away, going away.
The finger band
Is going away so early in the morning.

Give Me a Clap
Lead children in a cheer or a clapping pattern.  Make it a game and challenge by saying, "Can you do this?"
 
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.Puppet

Use callbacks

Teacher says: Hands on top.
Children respond: Everybody stop! (Put hands on head and freeze.)


Teacher says: Macaroni and cheese.
Children respond: Freeze please! (Freeze and look at the teacher.)


Teacher says: Ready?
Children respond: Spaghetti! (Stand up straight.)

Teacher: Okeedookee
Children: Artichokee

Teacher: Peanut butter
Children: Jelly

Teacher says: All set? (Snap fingers twice.)
Children respond: You bet! (Snap fingers twice.)

Teacher: Da da da da da...
Children: I'm loving it! (MacDonald's advertisement)

Teacher says: How do you feel?
Children respond: We feel good! Yeah! (Stick up thumbs.) 

Use Their Name
If you have a child floating away simply saying their name will bring them back to reality.
You can sing, "If your name is (child's name) wave to me...If your name is (child's name) smile at me..."

Do a Cheer
Pretend to make a hamburger by patting your palms together. Make a sizzling sound and say, “Is it done yet?” Turn your hand over and say, “Not yet.” Repeat twice. After the third “Is it done?” give a thumbs up and say, “Well done!” 
                                          
Give yourself sparkles (open and close fits) and a rainbow (move palms like a rainbow across your body).

You’re the Best!
(Children repeat after the teacher. You could change the words to “I’m the best!” or “We’re the best!”)
Thumbs up. (Stick out right thumb.)
Across the chest. (Bring across to the left shoulder.)
Pat on the back. (Pat self on the back.)
Cause you’re the best! (Wrap arms around self and hug.)

Play a Game 
Simon says...
Put your hands on your knees.
Wiggle your nose.
Touch your toes...

Palm Writing
Children take their "magic finger" write on the opposite palm.  They can make shapes, letters, numbers, or even write words.  Make sure they "erase" (rub palm) in between.
                                                          

P.S.  I found this idea when I was looking at some old blogs.  Wouldn't this work for your class meetings online?

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.                                                                  

RHYME TO READ

If you missed my FB Live yesterday it's not too late!

https://bit.ly/drjeanLittleLessons3

Last week a teacher requested activities to help children learn to rhyme.  Take a look because there are some simple things that you can do in the classroom or that parents to do at home.

RHYME ON!

Learning to rhyme doesn't happen in one lesson...it takes a tremendous amount of oral language (nursery rhymes, finger plays), songs, books, and games to help children develop this skill. Here are some games you can do in your classroom or share with parents.

Rhyming Song
Do this activity to the tune of “Skip to My Lou.”
Cat (hold out right hand)
Hat (hold out left hand)
Those words rhyme.
Cat (hold out right hand)
Hat (hold out left hand)
Those words rhyme.
Cat (hold out right hand)
Hat (hold out left hand)
Those words rhyme.
They all end with “at.” (Roll hands around as you say this.) 
*Can children think of other words that end with "at" that you can sing in the song?

Rhyme Detectives 
Tell the children that they will get to be detectives listen for words that rhyme. You say a word, and they put their pinkies up if they hear a word that rhymes with it. Pinkies down if it doesn’t rhyme. For example:
      ball - fall (pinkies up)         
      run - dog (pinkies down)

A Rhyming We Will Go (Traci Zietlow)
(Tune: “The Farmer in the Dell”)
A-rhyming we will go.
A-rhyming we will go.
Hi ho the derry-o
A-rhyming we will go.
Cat rhymes with rat.
Cat rhymes with rat.
Hi ho the derry-o,
Cat rhymes with rat. 

*Ask children to think of two other words that rhyme that can be sung in the song.

Rhyme Puzzles
Cut paper plates in half using puzzle designs similar to those shown. Glue pictures that rhyme on each half. Mix up the pieces. Children say the words and match up the plates that rhyme. The game is self-checking because the pieces will fit if they match the correct pictures.
*Hint! You can easily find rhyming pictures online.


 
Rhyme Ball
You will need a ball, beanbag, or other object to toss for this game. Children sit or stand in a circle. The teacher says a word and then tosses the ball to a child. As the child catches the ball, she must say a word that rhymes.

Riddle Rhyme Game
Let children make up their own rhymes in this game. First, they choose an object in the room. Next, they say a word that it rhymes, along with another clue. For example: “This rhymes with hair and it is something you sit on.” “This rhymes with look and it is something you read.”

Rhyme Bag
Give each child a lunch bag and for homework ask them to bring two objects that rhyme. As they take turns sharing their items encourage classmates to think of other words that rhyme with their objects.
                                          


Rhythm Rhyme
Start a beat by slapping legs two times, clapping hands two times, and snapping fingers two times. On the first snapping beat the teacher says a word. On the second snapping beat the children say a word that rhymes.
For example:
Slap, slap, clap, clap, snap, snap. 
Slap, slap, clap, clap, mitten.  
Slap, slap, clap, clap, kitten.
Slap, slap, clap, clap, star.  
Slap, slap, clap, clap, car.

LITTLE LESSONS FOR ONLINE LEARNING PART 3

You are my BVFs (Best Virtual Friends)! It's true! I can't wait to share with you on Thursdays. I am thrilled to take your suggestions and come up with "Little Lessons" for online learning. Last week there were requests for activities for families, sight words, manners, rhyming words, subtraction, and Earth Day. Today I'll offer ideas for families, sight words, and manners. Tomorrow look for activities for helping children learn to rhyme. Next week will focus on Earth Day, recycling, the litter patrol, and more.

FAMILY ACTIVITIES

Talk about a GIFT! Julie Scully sent me this Scavenger Hunt book that I can SHARE with all of you! It's got so many fun activities in it that I might need to get Mr. Feldman to play with me!!!!

Here are two ways you can get your FREE copy! This is exactly what families need right now to play, learn, and have fun!!!

Click to download Scavenger Hunt

 
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/20-Ready-to-Use-Scavenger-Hunt-Games-around-the-house-5393573


SIGHT WORDS

Here's a link to "MY WORD!" on my website. You'll find games, songs, and materials to make sight words taste "yummy"!

     My Word

There is also a FREE website that would be helpful to parents.

 Visit Sightwords

And if you don't know about Heidi Songs you'll definitely want to check out her clever tunes for helping children learn to readm

 Visit Heidisongs


MANNERS
 
You'll find a free link "Magic Words" to encourage children to use good manners. I also think it helps to teach children sign language for "please" and "thank you" so you can prompt them non-verbally.

Magic Words
There are two little magic words
That will open any door with ease.
One little word is, “Thanks!
And the other little word is, “Please!”

When you’d like to ask for someone’s help,
And you’re not sure where to begin.
“Please” will start you off,
and “thanks” comes at the end.
                                                         

Try this link to see download button

(Buy Now) for the two free songs.

Click the Buy Now button and follow along. You should get a screen that lets you download the songs. In addition, you should receive an email with the links.

FINGER PLAY MATH
You know how much I love finger plays for oral language, phonological awareness, small motor skills, etc.  Many of the finger plays are also perfect for introducing subtraction to little children. 

Gummy Bears
Down at the candy shop what did I see?
Five little gummy bears smiling at me.  (Hold up 5 fingers.)
Along came (child’s name) with a penny one day.
He/she bought the green one and took it away.  (Put one finger down.)

Down at the candy shop what did I see?
Four little gummy bears smiling at me.  (Hold up 4 fingers.)
Along came (child's name) with a penny one day.
He/she bought the red one and took it away.  (Put another finger down.)

Three...two...one





*Trace around a child's hand on construction paper and cut out.  Glue the palm to another sheet of paper.  Bend down one finger at a time as you sing the song. 

                                               

VIDEOS TO COMFORT CHILDREN
I'd like to think that all children have families who talk to them about what's going on in the world right now.  I'd like to think that parents are trying hard to make their children feel secure and have some family fun.  However, you and I know that isn't always the reality for our little ones.  Here's a video that Deborah Penney made to comfort her children.  I know something this sweet is like a "hug" for her students!

 

Visit with Deb and Rosie

HOME TEACHING GRID
You can order Carolyn Kisloski's "home teaching grid" for next week here:

Home Teaching Grid