KNOCK! KNOCK!

Here's a silly poem my daughter wrote that you can share with your class.

Knock! Knock!
By Dr. Holly

Knock! Knock! Who can it be?
Little mousie, squeak! squeak! squeak!

Knock! Knock! Who’s at the door?
Boom! boom! boom! It’s a dinosaur!

Knock! Knock! Who is that?
It’s a drummer—rat-a-tat-tat!

Knock! Knock! Guess who?
Baby crying—boo-hoo-hoo!

Knock! Knock! Who’s there?
Grrr! Grrr! It’s a grizzly bear!

Knock! Knock! Who can it be?
It’s a cowboy—How-dy!

Knock! Knock! Who’s there?
Granny in her underwear! (or rocking chair if it’s less scandalous)

Knock! Knock! Who’s at the door?
Big strong lion—roar! roar!

Knock! Knock! Guess who?
Opera singer—la da de do!

Knock! Knock! Who is that?
Purr, purr, my big fat cat!

Knock! Knock! Guess who?
Mr. Robot—Hello. How are you.

Knock! Knock! Who can it be?
A librarian—shhh! Quiet please!

Peek a Boo Class Book

Let children come up with their own “knock, knock” rhymes. Write the first line on the front of a 3"x 5" index card. Tape at the top to a sheet of paper and then have the children draw the answer to the rhyme underneath.




SPRING RIDDLES
Alex May (webmaster) has created some new riddles for you!

http://bit.ly/drjeanSpringRiddles

And here's a link for the cards:

http://bit.ly/SpringRiddles

FLIP FOR A FLIP BOOK

Here's a peek-a-boo book that can be used in so many different ways.

 

Flip Books - https://bit.ly/drJFlipBks

Narrated version: https://bit.ly/drJFlipNar

 

1st.  Make a hotdog fold. (Fold in half.)

2nd  Make a hamburger fold. (Fold in fourths.)

3rd.  Make a juice box. (Fold in eighths.)

Open in half. Cut down each crease to the middle fold.

Fold in half to make four flips.

*Children also like to call this a “garage door” book.

Egg Chart - https://bit.ly/drJEggChart

Use for: 

sequence of a butterfly
story elements
letters and pictures that begin with the sound
opposites
before and after
parts of a plant
what’s inside an egg
mother and baby animals
sequence of your day
sets and numerals
riddles or questions and answers
four seasons
animals and their homes
spelling word – picture or definition

card (“Some gifts are large. Some gifts are small.

Some gifts are round. Some gifts are tall.
But a gift from the heart is the best gift of all!)

  

BOOTIFUL JOKES

Jokes and riddles are a delightful way to develop children’s sense of humor as well as language standards (Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases…).

*You might want to choose one joke each day and write it on the board. Invite the children to read it with you. Ask children who "get it" to “think out loud” and explain their interpretation to classmates. This will enable children who “don’t get it” to scaffold to a higher level.

*Satisfy writing standards by asking children to write and illustrate jokes and riddles. Peek-a-boo flaps and lunch bags work well for this. Put their jokes together to make a class book.

*Encourage each child to learn a joke that they can share with their classmates. (Speaking and Listening Standards) Let children decorate craft sticks with their names and put them in a “Joke Can.” When you have a few extra minutes, choose a stick and let that child tell a joke to the class.

Note! “Bat” you’ll “scream” for some of these Halloween jokes! However, you can use riddles all year long. Non-holiday jokes are plentiful on the internet.

What kind of bats fly around the school at night?
AlphaBATS!

What do ghosts put on their cereal in the morning?
“Boo” berries and “boo”nanas.

What do you get when you take the inside out of a hotdog?
A “hollow” weenie.

What are the birds giving out for Halloween this year?
“Tweets!”

Why was the baby ghost sad?
He wanted his “mummy.”

What did the boy ghost say to the girl ghost?
You sure are “boo” tiful!

How do you make a witch itch?
You take away the W.

What pants do ghosts wear?
BOO jeans.

What do ghosts serve for dessert?
I scream!

What did one jack-o-lantern say to the other jack-o-lantern
on their way to the party?
Let’s get “glowing”!

Why do witches fly around on broomsticks?
Because their vacuum cleaners are too heavy.

What did the little ghost say to his mom?
“I’ve got a boo boo!”

How do you make a skeleton laugh?
Tickle it’s funny bone.

Why did the vampires cancel their baseball game?
Because they couldn’t find their bats.

Where do baby ghosts go during the day?
DaySCARE centers.

Who did Frankenstein take to the party?
His ghoul friend.

How do you mend a broken jack-o-lantern?
With a pumpkin patch.

What’s a ghost’s favorite party game?
Hide and go shriek!

What do baby ghosts wear on their feet?
BOOties.



Knock, knock!
Who’s there? Canoe.
Canoe, who?
Canoe tell us some knock knock jokes today, too?

Knock knock! 

Who's there?
Orange
.
Orange who?

Orange you glad it's Halloween?

Knock Knock!
Who’s there?
Olive.
Olive who?
Olive Halloween!

Knock knock!
Who's there?

Boo!

Boo who? 

I didn’t mean to make you cry.

Knock knock! 

Who's there?
Frank. 

Frank who?
Frankenstein!

Knock knock!
Who’s there?
Wanda.
Wanda who?
Wanda go for a ride on my broomstick?

Knock knock!
Who’s there?
Phillip.
Phillip who?
Phillip my bag with candy.

Knock knock!
Who’s there?
Ben.
Ben who?
Ben waiting for Halloween all year.

Knock knock!
Who’s there?
Who.
Who who?
Are you an owl?

Knock knock!
Who’s there?
Lettuce.
Lettuce who?
Lettuce have some candy, please.

Knock knock!
Who’s there?
Justin
Justin who?
Just in time for Halloween!

Knock knock!
Who’s there?
Orange.
Orange who?
Orange you glad you visited my blog today?

BACK TO SCHOOL - CLASS BOOKS AND RIDDLES

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 what 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.

Hello Book


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.

Need a smile for the first week of school? Check out this video that my webmaster Alex May created.

https://youtu.be/W6SyHIsRZXY

How do bees get to school?
By school buzz.

How do fish get to school?
By octobus.

What do gorillas learn in school?
Their Ape, B, Cs.


What does a snake study in school?
Hisss - tory

Why did the music teacher need a ladder?
To reach the high notes.

What kind of school do you go to if you’re a surfer?
A boarding school.

SEPTEMBER HOLIDAYS

One of the best ways to make September memorable is to celebrate some special days. Over the next few days I'll share how to take some crazy national holidays and turn them into learning opportunities with songs, games, and crafts. Who would have thought that there was a National Bubble Gum Day or Play Dough Day? Get ready for a GOOD TIME! 

                 

                

               

But of all the September holidays, NATIONAL GUACAMOLE DAY ON SEPTEMBER 16 has got to be my favorite. How many foods that you love are truly good for you like avocados? People often ask me what is my favorite guacamole. Hands down it's CHIPOTLE!!! I've tried a dozen recipes and I can't even get close to theirs. My mouth is watering!

BACK TO SCHOOL RIDDLES
Here are some fall riddles that my webmaster created for you!

                                            

http://bit.ly/FallRiddlesDrJean

CIRCLE TIME SURPRISE SACK

All you have to do is put something in a bag and you’ll capture children’s curiosity and interest. Take a gift bag and hide a book, game, object, or prop that relates to a skill or theme you are working on and sing this song to the tune of “I’m a Little Teapot.”

Surprise Sack
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!
What’s in the surprise sack?
Who can say?
Maybe it’s a picture or maybe it’s a game.
What’s in the surprise sack
Look and see.
It’s something special for you and me!

And here's a surprise for you!  Summer riddles from my webmaster Alex May.

Click to view video

And here's a link to the cards that go with the riddles:

Click to download cards

Mystery Box
Hide something you want to talk about (book, natural object, etc.) in a box and play “20 Questions.” Children get 20 chances to ask yes/no questions to figure out what is in the mystery box. Tally the questions on the board to keep track.



*Use this as an opportunity to teach strategies that will help narrow the answer. For example: Is it living? Is it non-living? Is it something in your house? Is it a person? Place? Thing?

Imagination Bag
Give each child a paper lunch bag and explain that you are going on an imaginary trip. You can take a trip to the pumpkin patch, zoo, outer space, or any place that fits with their interests or a theme. Have them open their bags and look for something they might see on the imaginary trip. Encourage them to take turns naming objects and making imaginary places on the floor in front of them.

*Tie imagination bags into concepts you want to reinforce, such as letters, shapes, sounds, etc. For example: “Who can find something in their bag that is a square?”

Note!  You're probably reading this and thinking that "Dr. Jean has lost it."  I'm telling you from experience that the kids LOVE this imagination bag!

#09-BACK TO SCHOOL FOR YOUR BEST YEAR EVER! Welcome Kit

You can help children get excited about school and feel like a part of their new classroom family with this Welcome Kit. Mail these or pass them out when they visit school or gather supplies.

WELCOME!
Add the letter and the following items to a zip bag:
cotton ball, Hershey’s kiss, sticker, rubber band, penny, tissue, gold star, band aid, Life Saver, gold thread eraser (You can adapt these items anyway you'd like.)

Welcome to your new classroom. Each item in this bag
has a special meaning for you!”

*The cotton ball is to remind you that this room is full of kind words and warm feelings.
*The chocolate kiss is to remind you that I care about you.
*The sticker is to remind you that we will all need to stick together and
help each other.
*The rubber band is to remind you to hug someone.
*The penny is to remind you that you are valuable and special.
*The tissue is to remind you to help dry someone’s tears.
*The star is to remind you to shine and always try your best.
*The bandage is to remind you to heal hurt feelings in your friends and yourself.
*The gold thread is to remind you that friendship ties our hearts together.
*The eraser is to remind you that everyone makes mistakes, and that is okay.
*The Life Saver is to remind you that you can always come to me if you need someone to help you.
With love, (Teacher’s Signature)

Say “Yes!”
I'll end my back to school activities with one more idea. 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!

*One teacher told me that she tells, “You are lucky to be in my room because I’m the best teacher in the school. But don’t let the other kids know or they’ll be jealous!” LOL



Need a smile for the first week of school? Check out this video that my webmaster Alex May created.

https://youtu.be/W6SyHIsRZXY

How do bees get to school?
By school buzz.

How do fish get to school?
By octobus.

What do gorillas learn in school?
Their Ape, B, Cs.


What does a snake study in school?
Hisss - tory

Why did the music teacher need a ladder?
To reach the high notes.

What kind of school do you go to if you’re a surfer?
A boarding school.

BUT WAIT - THERE'S MORE!

I'm on a roll with envelopes, but I bet you'll still find a tip or two today.

Yes-No
This is great for a quick review. Have children write “yes” on one side with a green crayon and “no” on the other side with a red crayon. When you’ve got a few extra minutes have the class use these to answer simple questions. You can quickly gaze around the room and see who has the correct answer.

Question – Statement
Put a period on one side and a question mark on the other side. Children hold up the period if the teacher makes a statement. The question mark is held up for a question.




Fact – Opinion
Write “fact” on one side and “opinion” on the other side. As the teacher says facts and opinions, the children respond by holding up their envelope.

Book
Write riddles or questions on the front of envelopes. Put the answers on index cards and insert in the envelopes. Hole punch and bind several to make a book.

*At the beginning of the school year have children write descriptions about themselves on the outside of the envelope and then put their photo inside.




Pull and Read
Cut the left end off the envelope. Write children’s names on 9 ½” sentence strips. Glue their picture on the right side. Pull out one letter at a time for children to predict whose name it could be.

*Write sight words, vocabulary words, or sentences for children to pull and read.
*Write math equations with the answer at the end.

Word Puzzles
Write words (or children’s names) on the front of an envelope. Write the same word on a sentence strip and cut between the letters to make a puzzle. Place the letters in the envelope for the children to put together.



Skill Cards
Cut envelopes in half. Cut a ½ slit down each side and fold the top section down as shown. Use these to store flash cards of skills children need to work on such as letters, numbers, sight words, math facts, and so forth.