GREAT TEACHERS 121

"Ooookkkaaalllahhhoommmaaaa!!!" 2011

Back to Back
Every child needs a partner and touches body parts as the teacher calls out:
back to back (touch backs)
shoulder to shoulder (touch shoulders)
elbow to elbow
knee to knee
head to head
wrist to wrist
feet to feet
hip to hip
Continue calling out vaious body parts...
End with "bottom to chair" as children sit down!

Can You Dig It? (Rachel Lawrence)
Hide magnetic numerals in a sand table. Each student is given a sheet with math facts appropriate to their level. During math centers they have to do their facts and then dig out the answers (magnetic letters) in the sand.

*You can also hide letters and have children spell words.

Spelling Trays (Rachel Lawrence)
Prepare "spelling trays" in plastic drawers. Children choose a tray and then take it to their desk and spell words using one of the materials below:
*Wikki sticks
*magnetic letters
*puzzle letters
*black light pens (security pen with black light key chain)
*alphabet stickers
*alphabet blocks
*dry erase board

Let’s Look Important! (Diane Ringer)
Use this idea instead of criss cross applesauce.
Would you like to know how to look important? Put your right hand over your heart like this. (Demonstrate)
Put your left hand across your chest and fold your arms like this. (Demonstrate)
Lift up your chin and smile importantly. Now look at all my important people!

Song Requests (Heather Cline)
Make a box for song requests. Children write their favorite song on a sheet of paper and put it in the box. Pull requests each morning and sing.

End of Day Chant (Linda Wood)
Sit in a circle criss cross applesauce and start the chant with this rhythm:
Slap knees two times
Clap two times
Snap two times
Clap two times
“Linda, Linda, what do you say?
What did you like at school today?”
The child has to tell what they liked best that day. It’s a good way to remember what they learned as you reinforce oral language.

A Fuzzy Little Caterpillar (Leanne Hutchison)
(Tune: "I Had a Little Turtle")
A fuzzy little caterpillar wiggled right by me. (Wiggle index finger.)
He wiggled long. (Wiggle finger away.)
He wiggled short. (Wiggle finger close.)
He wiggled right at me. (Wiggle finger at your face.)
I put him in a box. (Cup hands.)
"Don't go away I said!" (Point finger.)
But when I opened up the box
There was a butterfly instead! (Clasp thumbs and wiggle fingers like a butterfly.)

*You can adapt this song for "I had a little tadpole...I put him in a jar... Don't go away I said. . But when I opened up the jar a frog hopped out instead!"

Surprise Can (Julie Wiegman & Anne Greer)
Each week place a different letter on top of a paint can. (You can purchase an empty paint can at Lowe's or Home Depot.) Select one child each night to take home the surprise can. Ask parents to assist their child in finding four items at home that begin with the letter. Put the four itmes in the can along with clues about each object. At school the next day, the child (with help from the teacher) gives clues as classmates try to guess what the objects are. Example: This is something that is a fruit. This is round and red. It grows on a tree. A-Apple!

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.

HAND OF KNOWLEDGE AND CHARACTER GRAPH

Need something new to replace a worksheet?

Hand of Thoughts 

Children trace around their hand and write a story element (Who, what, where, when, why) in each finger.

*Children write five things they learned from a science or social studies lesson.


Character Graph



Draw the outline of a body similar to the one shown. Label with “see,” “hear,” “think,” “say,” “feel,” “go.” After reading a story use the character graph for children to recall details.


Star of Knowledge

Make a large star and write a concept in the middle. Children add facts and details in each point of the star.

*Write a number in the middle and five facts that equal that number.

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?

VISUAL GRAPHICS AND T-CHARTS

Hand of Thoughts

Children trace around their hand and write a story element (Who, what, where, when, why) in each finger.


Character Graph



Draw the outline of a body similar to the one shown. Label with “see,” “hear,” “think,” “say,” “feel,” “go.” After reading a story use the character graph for children to recall details.


Star of Knowledge

Make a large star and write a concept in the middle. Children add facts and details in each point of the star.


T-Charts

T-chart helps students sort information. It can be used to discriminate:

Odd and even numbers

Facts and fiction

Nouns and verbs

Science concepts (float/sink, magnet attracts/repels, manmade/natural, recycle/not recyclable, mammals/reptiles, etc.) 

Synonyms, antonyms

Positive/negative behaviors (friends/bullies, healthy foods/junk foods)

CATCH AND TOUCH

Today you'll find some "multi-sensory" ways to reinforce skills and recall information.

Catch and Tell
You will need a small ball or to play this game. The teacher says a letter and then tosses the ball to a child. That child must name something that begins with that sound before tossing the ball back to the teacher.

*This game can be adapted for rhyming words, colors, math, social studies, and other skills. It’s perfect for waiting in the hall or during transitions.


Touch Something
The teacher says a letter (word, color, shape, object) and the children have to walk around the room and touch something that matches the word.



Hot Potato
You can pretend a beanbag or small stuffed animal is the "hot potato" when you play this traditional game. You'll also need flashcards for skills you are working on. Children stand or sit in a circle. The potato (or other object) is passed around the circle until the music stops or the teacher blows a whistle. The child caught holding the potato has to identify a shape, letter, or other information on a flash card.

*Pass the potato and each child says a number as they receive the potato. Every time you get to a multiple of ten, that child is out.

*After you’ve read an informative book ask the child holding the potato to tell you one new thing they learned.

Whisper and Release
When you ask a question have the students hold up their palm and “whisper” the answer in it before closing their fingers and making a fist. When the teacher says, “Release!” students open their palm and say the answer.

SHOW ME A FIST LIST

There's something about moving your fingers and repeating information that will help your students with planning and organization.


Fist List
Have students tuck in their thumb and then put down a finger as they repeat each task they need to complete. Adapt to their assignment for the day. For example:

Put down 1 finger. “Journal writing.”
Put down 2nd finger. “Phonics game.”
Put down 3rd finger. “Independent reading.”
Put down 4th finger. “Ipad skills.”

*This will also nurture the executive function by helping kids plan and organize.

Recall Fist List
Recall at the end of the day by asking students to make a “fist list” of what they learned that day. They can put down a finger for everything they learned or feel good about.

New Skill Fist List
Here’s a formula for learning a new skill.

1st – Hold up one finger and repeat it out loud.

2nd - Hold up the second finger and visualize using the skill.

3rd – Hold up the third finger and repeat it with a partner.

Feeling Good Fist List

I use this tip to end my concerts with children, but I think it would be a special way to send children home at the end of the day.

First:  Open up your hand and tuck in your thumb.

Second:  You are amazing. (Bring down index finger.)

Third:  You are special.  (Bring down middle finger.)

Fourth:  You are wonderful. (Bring down ring finger.)

Fifth:  You are kind.  (Bring down pinky.)

*Adapt the adjectives to your school goals.

STORY ELEMENTS

Comprehension is the reason for reading…Good readers are both purposeful and active. (National Institute for Literacy.) 

Good readers are always looking for information and trying to make connections. Talking, writing, dramatizations, and art are just a few of the ways children can demonstrate what they have read (or heard as young learners).

Who? What? Where? When? Why?
Sing this song to the tune of “Ten Little Indians” before reading a story so children will be looking for the information:
Who? What? Where? When? Why?
Who? What? Where? When? Why?
Who? What? Where? When? Why?
Ask questions when you read.


I’ve Got the Whole Story in My Hands

Hold up your hand as you sing to the tune of “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands:”
I’ve got the whole story in my hand,
I’ve got the whole story in my hand,
I've got the whole story in my hand,
And I can read.
I’ve got the who, what, when, where, why…
And I can read! 

*Write story elements on the fingers of a cloth glove and use them to recall details. In addition to "who, what, where, when, why" you could write "somebody" "wanted" "but" "so" "then." You could also write "title" "author" "beginning" "middle" "end."


Story Sticks

You will need large craft sticks and a sock for this project.
Write a different story element (characters, setting, problem, resolution, etc.) on each stick with a marker. Place the sticks in the sock and throw the sock over your shoulder before you begin to read. It will be a reminder to your class to focus on those things. After reading the story, let different students choose a stick and tell that part of the story.
*Write story elements on index cards and put them in a sack.


Mama Mia
Make a pizza out of cardboard and felt. Write story elements under slices. Children pick a slice and tell about it.

DO YOU 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.

Right Now! Right Now! 

Stop at random times in the day and shout, “Right now, right now, right now, right now! Who can raise their hand and tell me something they know right now that they didn’t know when they came in the classroom this morning?”

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.

Draw 

Let children make “thinking pads” by cutting scrap paper into fourths. Staple about 10 sheets together. Use thinking pads to have children illustrate what they’ve learned after a lesson or after reading a book.

Microphone 

Pass around a play microphone or telephone for children to state what they’ve learned.
*Let children pretend they are a news reporter and state facts about the day.


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?

So, what do you RECALL from reading my blog today? Can you use one of these ideas in your classroom this year?

OCTOBER CELEBRATIONS

Everybody knows about that big holiday at the end of October, but there are some other special days that you can celebrate this month. 

Note! Of course, feel free to adapt these to any day, any learning situation, or any age level.

October 2 World Smile Day

October 3 World Card Making Day

October 5 Do something Nice

October 12 Columbus Day

October 16 Dictionary Day

October 21 Count your Buttons Day

October 27 Tell a Story Day

GET READY FOR SMILE DAY TOMORROW! 

Here are some simple ideas to put a smile on your children's faces.
Yes, your smile can set the tone for the whole day, so put on a happy face. Sometimes you have to be part actor or actress and "fake it til you feel it."

Smile Break
When children are inattentive, help center them with a smile break. Tell them to look at the clock or use the timer on your phone as they smile for 30 seconds.

*You can also ask them to hug themselves, freeze, or do other motions for a specified amount of time.

Recall with a Smile
Have children close their eyes. If they can see something new they learned they can open their eyes and smile at you.



High Five Smile
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 and smile. (“Hi 5!” Get it?)


Smiley Cheer
Take your index finger and pretend to poke two eyes in the air as you make a clicking sound. Make a curved smile with your pointer under the pretend eyes as you whistle and then give a big smile.
😊😊😊


Give Yourself a Smile
Ask children to draw a picture of their face without a mouth. Take a pencil and draw a frown on the face. How does that look? Erase that frown! Now, take a red crayon and draw a big smile on the face. Which one looks better? Which one would you want for a friend?

Smile Hug
Smile, close your eyes, and hug your shoulders.




Ha! Ha! He! He! (Tune: “Pretty Little Dutch Girl”)
I smile because I’m happy, (Smile.)
As happy as can be.
I smile because I like myself. (Point to self.)
I smile because I’m me!

I laugh because I’m happy,
As happy as can be. (Ha! Ha!)
I laugh because I like myself.
I laugh because I’m me! (Ha! Ha!)

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. (Hold stomach and fake laugh.)
He he he he he he.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.
He he he he he he.

WIN/WIN WITH PARENTS

Several years ago I read Amanda Ripley’s book THE SMARTEST KIDS IN THE WORLD, one of the most interesting findings was that what parents did at home mattered significantly. Reading to children and talking about school was very important. Parents showed their children they valued education by asking about school, what they learned, what they liked, etc. Parents who modeled reading also had a positive impact.

Here are a few tips to encourage parents to communicate with their children about school.

Journal
Make daily journals for students by putting white paper in a pocket folder. At the end of each day students draw what they learned and dictate or write a sentence to go with their drawing. The journal goes home each evening so children can discuss what they did at school with their parents. The parents sign the journal, write comments or compliments, and return it the following day.




Conversation Starters
Make copies of the attached conversations starters. (Adapt them to your age level and curriculum.) Cut them apart and put them in a bag. Children draw one as they leave at the end of the day and give it to their parents to prompt a discussion about what they did.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1SnEagA4jlja2w2OWtzRjlIdkk/view?usp=sharing

Hint! One school suggested that parents "turn it off" in the car when they picked up their child. The quiet time might encourage children to talk about school because they'd know they had their parent's undivided attention.

Screen Time Survey
Ask parents to keep a log of how much time their child spends in front of a screen for a week. The following week ask them to “turn it off” and spend an equal amount of time reading, playing games, doing chores around the house, etc. with their child.

Brain Tickets
Run off brain tickets similar to the ones below. To earn a brain ticket children need to tell the teacher one new thing they learned at the end of each day. Explain to the parents that their job is to ask their child what she learned to earn the ticket.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1SnEagA4jljUmNfQTJld3VsV00/view?usp=sharing


Laptops for Every Child
A teacher explained at her first parents’ meeting that she recommended that every child needed at least one laptop – two if possible. It’s not the kind of laptop that you plug in, but the kind with two knees. This laptop is perfect for reading, talking, hugging, and singing!

REVIEW AND RECALL

According to research, it is important for children to review and recall information throughout the day. Here are some tips to help children remember in special ways.


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.


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.




*Run off copies of these “brain tickets” to pass out to children at the end of the day.



https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1SnEagA4jljUmNfQTJld3VsV00/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-8o0xDT__Grse6DVxMDU-mQ