GREAT TEACHERS 103

These ideas are from workshops I did in 2012. There are some "SEEDS" here that you can grow into other activities in your classroom.

Count to 100 (Special K's, Marion, OH)
Count each "ten" with a different style.
Quiet 1's (whisper)
Yucky teens (attitude!)
Roaring 20's (loud)
Twisty 30's (twist)
Jumpy 40's (jump)
Flying 50's (spread arms)
Angry 60's (stomp feet)
Spooky 70's (ghost voice)
Flippin' 80's (pretend to flip pancakes)
Laughing 90's (hold stomach and laugh)
Jump and cheer for 100!!!

*It would also be fun to say the alphabet, read sight words, and practice other skills with some of those silly voices.


Travel Soap Containers (Robin Davis)
Use travel soap containers to store crayons, magnetic letters, sight words, etc. 


Roll Call (Renee Nicolo)
Call the roll in different languages. “Buenas dias.” “Guten morgen.” “Bonjour.” “Gua-cha.”

*Younger kids would get a kick out of answering like an animal (bark, meow, tweet, and so forth).

Ten Little Everything (Karen Foley)
Adapt "Ten Little Indians" for every topic or holiday in the year.
"1 little, 2 little” for penguins, snowmen, hearts, butterflies, etc.
1 little, 2 little, 3 little penguins,
4 little, 5 little, 6 little penguins,
7 little, 8 little, 9 little penguins at the South Pole (or at the store, or on the farm, etc.)

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.

Preschool Clubs (Laney Brightbill)
Make posters that describe self-help skills. Once children can do they skill they get to add their picture and name to the club. For example:
-Button club
-Zipper club
-Glove club
-Shoe tying club
-Jacket club

Doubles Don’t Give Me Trouble (Sarah Jackson)
(Tune: “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad”)
1 + 1= 2, 2 + 2 = 4, 3 + 3 = 6, 4 + 4 = 8, 5 + 5 = 10, 6 + 6 = 12
Now I know my doubles,
They don’t give me any trouble.
7 + 7 =14, 8 + 8 = 16, 9 + 9 = 18, 10 + 10 = 20, 11 + 11 = 22, 12 + 12 = 24


ARITHMETIC (Bridget Weaver)
This mnemonic device will help you remember how to spell arithmetic.
A
Rat
In
The
House
Might
Eat
The
Ice
Cream

TEACHERS WHO LOVE TEACHING

Good teachers have to be good actors/actresses.  You have to put on a "happy face" each day and tell your students and yourself, "IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT DAY!"  Yes, and sometimes you have to FAKE IT TIL YOU FEEL IT!

You also have to be a good salesperson and SELL children on learning.  They will believe you when you say, "Isn't reading fun?  You love to read just like me!"  Or, "Our room is full of mathematicians!  You can kiss your brain because you are so smart!"

Remember!  The only way to the head is through the heart!

THROWBACK
Positive self-talk is a simple strategy to remind children that they are important and capable. Have children start the day by repeating each line of this chant after you. 

What Are You?
(Adapted from “The Help.”)
Teacher asks: What are you?
Children respond: I am kind. (Touch the heart.)
I am smart. (Touch the head.)
I am important. (Give self a hug.)



Morning Mantra
Teacher: What is my job today?
Children: Your job is to teach us and to love us.
Teacher: What is your job today?
Children: Our job is to learn and to love each other.



Hint! If children are misbehaving you might ask them, "What is your job? Show me how to do your job."

#11 THE HEART OF A TEACHER

Positive self-talk is a simple strategy to remind children that they are important and capable. Have children start the day by repeating each line of this chant after you. 

THROWBACK

What Are You?
(Adapted from “The Help.”)
Teacher asks: What are you?
Children respond: I am kind. (Touch the heart.)
I am smart. (Touch the head.)
I am important. (Give self a hug.)

Morning Mantra
Teacher: What is my job today?
Children: Your job is to teach us and to love us.
Teacher: What is your job today?
Children: Our job is to learn and to love each other.

Hint!  If children are misbehaving you might ask them, "What is your job?  Show me how to do your job."

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!

TURN ON YOUR BRAIN

It’s pretty amazing, but if you tell the brain to pay attention to something important it will! Here are a few ways to jump start your children’s brains each morning.


Turn on Your Brain
Start your day by having the children turn on their brains.
Turn on the left side of your brain. (Make a twisting motion on left.)
Turn on the right side of your brain. (Make a twisting motion on right.)
Turn on your left eye. (Pretend to twist left eye.)
Turn on your right eye. (Pretend to twist right eye.)
Turn on your left ear. (Pretend to twist left ear.)
Turn on your right ear. (Pretend to twist right ear.)
You don’t have to turn on your mouth because it stays on all the time.
Now you are ready to learn!!!

Rev Up Your Brain
Have the children hold up their thumbs. Go around, grab each child’s thumbs, and pretend to twist them as you say, “Rrrrrm! Rrrrrm! Now your brain revved up and ready to learn.”


Brain Sprinkles
Put a few spoonfuls of rice in a Pringle’s can and glue on the lid. Cover the can with sparkly paper. When it’s something important for the children to learn explain that you will put brain sprinkles on them. (Shake the can over their heads!)

Hocus Pocus!
Pretend to wave a magic wand as you say, “Hocus pocus!”
Put thumbs and pointers together to make circles and place around your eyes as you say, “Everybody focus!” Have the students leave on their focus goggles and look at the front of a book, a shape, a word, or whatever you want them to attend to.


Bzzzz!
Children stick out their index finger and tap a friend’s finger as they go, “Bzzzz!”


Thinking Caps
Goodness, this is old as the hills. Mrs. Meyers, my first teacher, used to say this to us. As ancient as it is, it’s still new to your little kiddos. Remind them that their thinking caps will help them remember and learn as you demonstrate putting an imaginary hat on your head.


Thinking Hands
Explain that when you cross your fingers and put your hands in your lap it helps your brain listen and learn.


Schema
Make circles with thumbs and index fingers and join them together to make a connection. Tell children as they listen to a book they can make this sign to let you know they are connecting what is in the book to what is in their brain.

PD# 6 HANDSHAKES

 

Click to view PD #6 - Handshakes

Handshakes are a “hands” on way to connect with the children physically and emotionally as you start your day.

Handshake Greeting
Have each child stand as you extend your right hand to them. Say, “Good morning child’s name.” Teach the children to look you in the eyes as they shake your hand and say, “Good morning teacher’s name.”

Note! It would be good to have a discussion about this and ask them if they’ve ever seen adults shake hands. Why do we shake hands? Which hand should you use? Put a sticker or stamp on their right hand or tie a ribbon around their right wrist to help them remember. Explain that it’s important to give a firm handshake, smile, and look the other person in the eyes.

Shake a Hand (Tune: “Mulberry Bush”)
Everybody shake a hand, shake a hand, shake a hand.
Everybody shake a hand and walk around the room.
(Walk around the room as you shake hands.)

Everybody give high 5… (High five.)

Hug a hand… (Palms together, wrap thumbs around, and squeeze.)

Knuckle bump… (Make fists and bump knuckles.)

Boogey down… (Wiggle down and up with a friend.)

Smile and wink and walk back to your seat. (Smile and wink.)

Happy Handshakes
Here are some other handshakes your class might enjoy. Choose one and do it every day for a week. After you’ve introduced several you can let a special helper choose the handshake for the day.

         

Butterfly – Hook right thumbs together. Extend the other four fingers to make the butterfly’s wings. Pretend to flutter the butterfly’s wings as you move your hands in a circular motion.

Squirrel – One friend extends her arm. The other friend quickly runs fingers from the wrist up to the shoulder. Switch places.

Thumb Kiss – Hold up thumbs and touch as you make a smacking sound.

Hamburger – Children bump fists and say, “Burger.” Open fists and wiggle fingers together as they say, “Fries.” Hands in the air and shake fists and hips as they say, “Shake.”

Farmer – The teacher crosses her fingers and points thumbs down to represent the cow’s utter. The child grabs the thumbs and pretends to milk the cow.

Cool Dude – Partners knuckle bump and then open their fist and slide it back as they say, “Pssshhh!”

Double Cross Handshake – Shake right hands and then reach across and shake left hands.

Lumberjack – Partners hold up right thumbs and grab them with the left hand. Partners then clasp right fingers and pretend to saw back and forth.

Builder – Shake hands and move them up and down vertically as you say, “Here’s a hammer.” Move hands horizontally back and forth as you say, “Here’s a saw.” Gently twist wrists as you say, “And here’s a screwdriver.”

Potato – Bump fists as you say, “Baked potato.” Bend index fingers and touch as you say, “Tader tot.” Open fingers and wiggle with your partner as you say, “And fries.”

Ghost – Extend arms and swish back in forth as you say, “Woooo!”

Buzz! Extend index finger and touch to your partner’s index finger as you make a buzzing sound.

Fisherman – Place right hand on each other’s right forearm and tap gently like a fish tail. Bend right arm back as if reeling in a fish as you say, “Good morning!”

Hand Hug – Hold up right palms and touch in the air. Bend thumbs around and gently squeeze.

Spiderman – Partners hold up four fingers and intertwine. Spiders have 8 legs and you have 8 wiggly fingers.

Biker – Children hold out fists and stick up thumbs. The teacher grabs the thumbs and pretends to turn them while making a “Brrrrmmmm” sound. “Now your brain is revved up and you’re ready to learn!”

Body Parts – Call out different body parts and challenge children to greet partners by gently touching elbows, knees, heads, ankles, toes, chins, etc.

Jellyfish – Bump fists and then open and close fingers as you pull them back like a jellyfish.

Bow Wow – Partners bow and then make “w’s” by sticking up three middle fingers. Open mouth and place “w’s” on either side to create the word “WOW!”

4-H Hello – Children can choose one of these “H’s.”
High Five (High five partner.)
Handshake (Shake hands.)
Hug (Hug each other.)
Hollywood kiss (Air kiss on left and right.)

*They can also choose a homerun, which is all four!

Hint! Cut a hand, numeral “5”, heart, and lips out of fun foam or felt. Place on the floor so the children can stand on the one they’d like.

Click to download pattern shown above.

P.S. Think about saying good-bye to your students at the end of the day with a handshake.

WE LOVE OUR FLAG

 

We will celebrate Flag Day on June 14, but here’s a song you can sing all year to prompt your class before saying the Pledge of Allegiance.

We Love Our Flag
(Tune: “Farmer in the Dell”)
We love our flag.
We love our flag.
We love America
And we love our flag.

Red, white, and blue,
Red, white, and blue,
The colors of our country’s flag
Are red, white, and blue.

50 stars of white
On a field of blue
Stand for 50 states
Where we live, it’s true.

Thirteen stripes
In red and white
Stand for the colonies
For freedom they did fight.

We love our flag…

* Use the words in the song to explain the meaning of the stars and strips.

Here’s the link to download the book:

 

Just click here.

AmeriCANS
Check out this video to learn another song about our flag. The last verse is my favorite:
We are all Americans
And so we always say I CAN!
We try and do our best
Because we are Americans.

Click to view video.



Flag Etiquette
Teach children flag etiquette and the importance of not dragging the flag on the ground.

Design a Flag
Give children a sheet of white paper and the scrap box and let them design their own flags.


Parade
O.K. If you've read to the end of this blog, I've saved the best idea until last. Whenever your class completes an art project let them "parade" their creations around the room. Put on some catchy music and they can walk around in a circle holding up their work. It's so funny because they really think they are "special."


Foam Hands(Cheri Rummens, Mansfield Preschool)
Cut hands out of foam and write “left” and “right” on them before taping them above the calendar and flag. Remind the children to look and see which hand they should place on their heart before they do the pledge.

THIS AND THAT FROM THE PAST

Want to know a secret? Even Dr. Jean runs out of new ideas every now and then. Fortunately, I've been collecting ideas from teachers for over ten years and sharing them on my blog. Look at these cool activities I found from ten years ago.

Morning Dance (Genevieve Shafer)
This call and response reminds students to have a positive attitude and that they are all special.
Note! The teacher models each line and then the children repeat the words and movements.

I am ready for school. (wiggle shoulders)
I will have a good day. (twist)
I am confident and will do my best. (stand tall)
I am special and so are you. (point to friends)
We’re all amazing! (spin with arms up)
Thank you God for making me. (pray hands)
I’m exactly who I’m supposed to be! (say loud and proud while jumping with arms in the air)

                                    


Classroom Mirror (Andrea Neal)
Children love using mirrors in the classroom. Cover a mirror and ask students to look under it to see your favorite kid.

Peace Corner (Jillian Teder)
Set up a "peace corner" in your classroom where children can go to self-regulate and regain self control before returning to the group when they are overwhelmed or frustrated.

Drawing a Person
Many children have difficulty drawing a person, so this is a technique that might help. It's also an interesting way to focus on positional words. First, fold a piece of paper into thirds as shown. Open. Prompt children with these directions:

1. What's at the top of you? Your head! Make the head in this top section.

2. What's in the middle of you? Your body! Make a body in the middle section.

3. What comes off your body? Your legs! Make your legs in the bottom section.

4. What's at the end of your legs...

5. What comes off the sides of your body...

6. What's at the end of your arms...

7. What helps you see...(Some children may need to look in the mirror to see what color their eyes are.)

Talk...hear...smell...continue calling out details for the children to add.

Time Out Words
Make a chart with “Time Out Words.” Those are words that don’t obey rules like “are, the, one, etc.”

*I've also heard these referred to as "Outlaw Words" because they don't obey the laws.

                      

I'M SO GLAD I CAME TO SCHOOL TODAY

End circle time on a positive note by doing a few cheers and inviting the children to share their goals for the day.

I’m So Glad I Came to School Today (“In My Heart There Rings a Melody”)
I’m so glad I came to school today,
I came to school today,
I came to school today.
I’m so glad I came to school today,
I came to be with all my friends.

Partner Share
Have children turn to a friend and share something they are looking forward to doing at school that day.


Toss and Tell
Take a bean bag or wadded up paper ball. Ask students to think of something that they are looking forward to doing at school. Toss the ball to a child. After they answer they toss the ball back to you.




Visualize
Have children close their eyes and think about what and how they are going to learn.


Fist List
Children make a fist and then hold up a finger for each thing that they are going to do at school that day.

Right Now! Right Now!
Say, “Right now, right now, right now, right now! Who can raise their hand and tell me something they are excited about doing today!”

Catch a Star
Ask children to think of something they are going to do to be a kind friend. Tell them to reach up and grab a star and then put it in their hearts.

GET SET!

GET SET for a great year with positive self-talk.  You can watch me 

demonstrate these on a new video I made just for you!!!  

bit.ly/selfTalkDrJean

Morning Mantra
Teacher: What is my job today?
Children: Your job is to teach us and to love us.
Teacher: What is your job today?
Children: Our job is to learn and to love each other.

What Are You?
(Adapted from “The Help.”)
Teacher asks: What are you?
Children respond: I am kind. (Touch the heart.)
I am smart. (Touch the head.)
I am important. (Give self a hug.)



You’re the Best
(Students echo each line and follow the directions.)
1. Thumbs up. (Stick up thumbs.)
2. Across the chest. (Cross arms over chest.)
3. Pat on the back. (Pat back.)
4. Cause you’re the BEST! (Hug self.)

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.)


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!

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/his own “good news.” The children clap or cheer. Next, the teacher 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 KNOW A SCIENTIST AND FEELING FINE

I Know a Scientist  (Tune: “I Had a Little Turtle”)
I know a scientist, (Hold up index finger.)
And you can be one, too! (Point with index finger.)
Here’s the scientific method
So you’ll know what to do.

First you find a question. (Hold up one finger.)
Just take a look around. (Pretend to look around.)
What is it that you want to know?
Now you write it down.

Next you make a guess— (Hold up two fingers.)
It’s called a hypothesis—
About what will happen
When you do your tests.

Now experiment, (Hold up three fingers)
Observe it, write it, too. (Hold up four fingers.)
You’ll need lots of data
To show your guess is true.

Draw your conclusions. (Hold up five fingers.)
Look into any doubts.
Then tell everybody
What you’ve found out!



https://youtu.be/5Z41GOKUjzI


Feeling Fine
I'm in right, (Hold up both index fingers and point to chest.)
Out right, (Point out with index fingers.)
Up right, (Reach up high.)
Down right, (Stoop down low.)
And I'm feeling fine. (Turn around in a circle.)
I eat the food that’s good (Pretend to feed self.)
And exercise like I should. (Run in place.)
That’s why I’m in right,
Out right,
Up right,
Down right,
And I’m feeling fine.
A little faster…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bm8lk7lvUg

TIME TO GET UP AND MORNING STRETCH

If you want to have a great day, then start with a song!

Time to Get Up
It’s time to get up, it’s time to get up, (Rocking horse back and forth.)
Get up on your feet this morning.
It’s time to get up, it’s time to get up,
Get ready to learn today.
Get that blood flowing.
Get your heart going.
Move those arms and legs
And wake up your brain!
Power march!

Second Time - Hold your reins and do squats.

Third Time - Backward lunge and then salute.

Activities: Why is it important to wake up your body and brain every morning?
How do you get your day started?
How do you feel if you don’t get enough sleep?
Why do you need to eat a good breakfast?
Give children a paper plate and ask them to draw a picture of a healthy breakfast.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39__jCTwNt0

Here is another morning song that will help children “center” themselves and get ready to learn. As they practice breathing and stretching different body parts they will naturally calm down and focus.


 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIq9TbaCokc&feature=youtu.be

Morning Stretch
It feels so good to start the day by stretching. (Stretch up high on toes.)
Breath in deeply and then let the air out. (Slowly breath in and out.)
Breath in fresh air – push the stale air out.
Stand up tall. (Stand with crown of head reaching up.)
Look left then right. (Slowly look left and then right.)
Roll your neck around (Gently roll your head around in one direction.)
So it’s not too tight. (Roll head in opposite direction.)
Shoulders up and circle around (Shoulders up as if shrugging and around.)
Other direction without a sound. (Opposite direction.)
Slowly breath in and lift your arms up high. (Lift arms up and then down.)
Let the air out and bring your arms by your sides.
Now stretch your arms out (Stretch arms out in a T.)
Big circles make. (Make big circles with arms.)
Other direction, (Make circles in the opposite direction.)
Then swish and shake. (Swing arms like a dishrag left and right.)
Bend to the left with right arm over head (Straighten right arm and bend.)
Next on the right with left arm instead. (Straighten left arm and bend.)
Slowly… (Lift arms and breath in. Lower arms and exhale.)
Touch your toes, then stretch high in the air. (Touch toes then up.)
Once more touch toes, lift up your cares.
Heel up and bend down first on the right. (Right heel up and stretch.)
Then left heel up and bend with toes in sight. (Left heel stretch.)
Slowly… (Lift arms and breath in. Lower arms and exhale.)
Stretch the right calf, and then the other side. (Bend right knee, then left.)
Stand tall as can be and hug yourself with pride. (Wrap arms around self.)
Bring the corners of your mouth up toward your eyes.
Think of something happy and give big smile! (Squeeze body and smile.)