HIGH FIVE DAY

April 19th is 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
Write sight words on hands and tape to your classroom door. Students must "high five" a hand and read a word before exiting the classroom.

JUGGLER'S DAY

What do all these things have in common?

They can all be used to juggle!

International Jugglers Day and World Juggler's Day is April 18th, but you can juggle any day! Common objects jugglers use include balls, clubs, swords, plates, rings, and flaming sticks. You can also learn to juggle at school using wadded up paper balls, tissues, or scarves.

Why?
Juggling is fuel for the brain because it requires you to cross the midline, develops eye-hand coordination, and can improve focus and self-control.

When?
Juggling can be a great brain break in the classroom or an activity to entertain children on a rainy day. It can be done inside, outside, or in a small area.

What?
You can uses wadded up sheets of paper, tissues, sponge balls, or juggling scarves. (I made my own juggling scarves by cutting 10" squares out of netting.)

How?
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 say the alphabet as they toss and catch?

Practice tossing the paper ball from the right hand to the left.

Add a second paper ball and let the fun begin!