WHICH WITCH?

My students loved to say this rhyme and giggle when the witch tore her britches! (I don't why that was so silly to them, but it was.)

3 Little Witches
(Tune: “Ten Little Indians”)
One little, two little, three little witches. (Hold up 3 fingers.)
Flying over haystacks, flying over ditches. (Fly fingers in the air.)
Slid down the moon and tore their britches! (Touch pants and then cover eyes.)
Hi, ho, Halloween’s here! (Clap hands.)

Choose three children to be witches and act out the song. Make brooms by rolling up several sheets of newspaper. Tape. Cut down 8” from one end and fluff.

Stirring Our Brew
Stirring and stirring and stirring our brew… (Pretend to stir.)
Wooooooo! Woooooo! (Cup hands by mouth.)
Stirring and stirring and stirring our brew… (Stir.)
Wooooooo! Wooooo! (Cup hands by mouth.)
Tip-toe. Tip-toe. BOO! (Pretend to tip-toe.)


Witch’s Stew
How about a little witch’s stew for snack. You will need lunch sacks, 1 large bowl (or plastic witch's pot), Cheerios, pretzel sticks, fish crackers, raisins, M & M’s, peanuts, chocolate chips, and ice cream cones.

1.Write “frog eyes” on one sack and fill with Cheerios.
2 Write “salted bones” on the second sack and fill with pretzel sticks.
3.Write “dead fish” on the third sack and fill with fish crackers.
4.Write “worm pieces” on the fourth sack and fill with raisins.
5.Write “lizard gizzards” on the fifth sack and fill with M&M’s.
6.Write "bat toes" and fill with chocolate chips.

Place the large bowl on the floor and make up a story about collecting all the items for your witch’s stew. One at a time let children come up and dump the contents in the bowl. Stir with a spoon as you sing the above song. Serve in ice cream cones.
Hint! You can substitute miniature marshmallows, gluten free snacks, or other foods for any of the ingredients.




Ghost Busters
Cut ghost shapes out of white paper. Write letters, numerals, words, or whatever skill you want to reinforce on the ghosts. Staple ghosts to a bulletin board and let the children identify the information as they swat the ghosts with a fly swatter.
*You can make a similar game from a file folder. Glue a hand to a craft stick and use to swat the ghosts.

Scary Things
Halloween is a good time to talk about things that are real and things that are pretend. It’s also helpful to talk about things that scare us. I always talk about things that scare me, and that usually encourages the children to open up and talk about things that scare them. Everybody’s afraid of something, and that’s O.K. Make a class book called “Scary Things” where each child draws their fears and dictates or writes a story about them.

DRAMATIC PLAY CENTER

WHY?

In the dramatic play area children have the opportunity to role-play real life situations, release emotions, practice language, develop social skills and express themselves creatively. Use shelves or furniture to create a cozy nook for your housekeeping area. A rug, pictures, and curtains will add a homey feel.

                              

Hint! Slowly introduce accessories so the children aren’t overwhelmed and appreciate new items.


Materials

Pretend kitchen equipment made from wood or plastic (stove, refrigerator, sink)

Pots, pans, dishes

Dress-up clothes purses, hats, shoes, jewelry

Full-length mirror

Table and chairs

Dolls and doll clothes

Stuffed animals

Puppets

Doll bed, blankets

Baby carriage

Toy ironing board and iron

Empty food boxes and containers

Toy food

Phone

Broom, mop, carpet sweeter

Paper, pencil

Costumes

*Window - Add a window by attaching a mirror or landscape picture to a wall. Tape construction paper strips to look like a window frame, and then add fabric cut like a curtain.

JUST FOR FUN ADD PROP BOXES!

Vary the dramatic play area with prop boxes that relate to different units of study or to extend children’s interests.

Grocery Store
Empty food boxes and cans, grocery sacks, grocery cart or wagon, shelves, cash register, play money, cardboard boxes , paper and pencils, purses, billfolds

Post Office
Envelopes, paper, pencils and pens, rubber stamps, stamp pad, stickers, partitioned box, cash register, play money, bag or sack for carrying mail, wagon or mail truck

Pet Shop
Stuffed animals, puppets, cardboard boxes for cages, plastic bowls, brush, towel, cash register, pet toys

Restaurant
Paper plates, napkins, plastic cups, silverware, tray, notepad, pencils, apron, chef’s hat, menus, cash register, play food, phone, carry-out food containers, such as a pizza box

*Glue pictures of food in pie pans or frozen dinner trays.

Flower Shop
Plastic pots, artificial flowers, gloves, seed catalogs, baskets, watering can, play garden tools, phone, notepad

Doctor’s Office
Stethoscope, tongue depressors, cotton, ace bandages, eye chart, dolls, notepad and pencils, wagon for ambulance, phone, scrub suit and mask

Campsite
Sleeping bag, backpack, canteen, stones and sticks for fire, blankets to make a tent, fishing pole

Birthday Party
Invitations, party plates, cups, napkins, hats, favors, goodie bags, wrapping paper, tape, ribbon, empty boxes, greeting cards

END THE DAY ON A POSITIVE NOTE

End the day with a song to give children a happy thought and a smile. 

It Is Time to Say Good-Bye (Tune: "She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain")
(Clap your hands and stomp your feet to the beat.)
It is time to say good-bye to all my friends.
It is time to say good-bye to all my friends.
It is time to say good-bye,
Give a smile and wink your eye. (Smile and then wink.)
It is time to say good-bye to all my friends. (Wave good-bye.)
Yeehaw!!! (Fist in the air.)

Goodbye Friends (Tune: “Where Is Thumbkin?”)
Goodbye friends. (Wave good-bye.)
Goodbye friends. (Children repeat each line.)
Time to go. (Point to clock.)
Time to go.
We had fun learning.
We had fun learning.
Love you so. (Cross arms as if hugging and then point to children.)
Love you so.

The More We Get Together (Traditional Tune - Sing in sign language.)
The more we get together, together, together.
The more we get together, the happier we’ll be.
For your friends are my friends,
and my friends are your friends.
The more we get together, the happier we’ll be.

The more we learn together…

The more we play together…

The more we sing together…

Here's a video where you can watch me sing these songs:

https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?fr=yhs-iry-fullyhosted_011&hsimp=yhs-fullyhosted_011&hspart=iry&p=dr+jean+time+to+say+good-bye#id=2&vid=ec60aa2a3f8c6f6048d70f620f92aaab&action=click

Good-Bye Chant
Put your thumbs up if you learned something new today. (Put thumbs up.)
Clap your hands if you had fun today. (Clap hands.)
Give yourself a hug if you were a kind friend today. (Hug self.)
See you tomorrow for another special day. (Wave and smile.)



Car Wash
End the day in a positive way with the car wash. Students form two lines facing each other to make the “car wash.” Students hold up palms and circle them around. One child at a time walks through the car wash as friends gently touch them and say something positive.

                                 

Pat on the Back
Cut hand shapes out of construction paper. Write a positive comment about each child on a hand. Tape the hand to their back before they leave at the end of the day.

Partner Share
Children turn to a friend and tell their favorite thing they did at school that day.

Brain Tickets
Purchase raffle tickets at a dollar store or run off your own tickets. Before children leave each day they have to tell you something they learned to earn a brain ticket. Encourage parents to ask their children what they did to earn their brain ticket each day.

https://drive.google.com/file/d

CHEERS AND CELEBRATIONS

These cheer cards can be used to focus children’s attention and put a smile on their faces. Above all, every child in your classroom can feel good with these cheers.

What? cheer cards, Cheerios box or Cheer detergent box, heavy paper, scissors

Why? attention grabbers, positive self-esteem, classroom family

When? large group, small group, all day long

How? Copy the cheer cards below on heavy paper. Cut apart. Introduce one new cheer each day. Use the cheer throughout the day. At the end of the day take a Cheerios box or a Cheer detergent box and say, “We’ve learned a new cheer. Let’s save it in our “cheer box.”

Hint! You can also tape these cheers to a bulletin, classroom door, etc.

*When you want to encourage a child, have her reach into the “cheer box” and lead the class in that cheer.

I have two different sets of cheer cards so you can choose the one that you like best.

http://www.drjean.org/html/monthly_act/act_2004/06_june/06_2004_pdf.html

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Dr-Jeans-Cheer-Cards-1270706



Cheers in Spanish
I’m so excited to share these cheer cards that Carla Ureno (El Paso ISD) created! It’s not easy to translate some of these things into Spanish, so Carla needs to KISS HER BRAIN!

P.S. And thanks to Teacher Toni for updating the graphics. She made them the perfect size to put on a ring.

file:///Users/jeanfeld/Downloads/Class_Cheers_2020_Spanish.pdf

                                            

¡Que las disfruten!




Here are two videos where you can watch me demonstrate many of the cheers.

                                      

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWPA-jYdWe8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hsOFYEMSvI

BE A BUDDY

Here's a song that will encourage children to be friends. It also teaches them some effective strategies if someone tries to bully them.

Be a Buddy, NOT a Bully!
(Tune: “Harrigan”)
Give me a B – B.
Give me a U – U…D…D…Y…
What’s it spell? BUDDY!
B-u-d-d-y
I’m going to be a buddy.
I will never be a bully.
I’ll say NO to bullies!
B-u-d-d-y
That is what I’ll be.
I’ll be kind and help my friends.
I’ll protect them and defend.
A buddy, that’s ME!

What should you do if someone bullies you?
Ignore them or walk away.

What if they still bully you?
Tell them to STOP!

If they still bully you?
Get a friend to help you.

And if they still bully you?
Then tell an adult.

B-u-d-d-y
I’m going to be a buddy.
I will never be a bully.
I’ll say NO to bullies!
B-u-d-d-y
That is what I’ll be.
I’ll be kind and help my friends.
I’ll protect them and defend.
A buddy, that’s ME!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQaWZZnFww0

                                

*Make a class book of the song by running off the lyrics as shown. Have the children close their eyes as you sing and get a picture in their brain. Let them choose which sentence they’d like to illustrate, and then put them together to make a book.

*Role play the steps in the song. Let children take turns being “bullies” and “buddies” and acting out what they should do.

*Make a book called “A Buddy Is…” where each child contributes a drawing of how they can be a buddy.

*Run off “Buddy Coupons” for children to distribute to friends who are kind to them. You could also have a “Buddy Board” where children write the names of buddies.



*Draw a T-chart on the board and let children suggest characteristics of buddies and bullies.


Buddy Sticks
Put like stickers on the bottoms of two craft sticks. You will need as many sticks as there are children in your classroom. Place sticks in a plastic cup with stickers facing down. Children choose a stick and then find the person whose stick matches theirs. That's their "study buddy."

*For small group work, put like stickers on four sticks. Remember, groups of two or four are more conducive to social interaction.

*When there is an odd number of students, let the last child chose whichever group she would like to be a part of.

Note!  Use these sticks each Monday to pair up children. Explain that is their "study buddy" for the week. They can help each other and work with each other all week. 

R & R (REST AND RELAXATION)

Every classroom needs a quiet place where children can get away if they need a little time to calm down and center themselves.

Trip to Hawaii



Put a poster of Hawaii and a beach towel in a quiet corner of the room. When the children need to calm down invite them to take a trip to Hawaii so they can rest and relax.

*You can also add a bean bag chair, headset, etc. and call it the "just chillin'" center.

Calming Bottles
Make these bottles for children to play with in the "just chillin" center. They will give them something to hold in their hands and help them relax.

                                             

Directions: Pour 1/3 to 1/2 cup of clear corn syrup in the bottle. Add a few drops of food coloring and a teaspoon of glitter. Glue on the lid. Hold the bottle and slowly move it around to coat the inside.



*Add crayon shavings to a bottle of water to help children relax and focus.Through partner activities children can develop social skills, cooperation, problem solving, independence, oral language, and creativity. Peer teaching is also a powerful teaching strategy. To avoid common behavior problems that can occur when children pick their own partner, try these buddy sticks.

Stress Button

Glue the hook side of Velcro to a poker chip to make a “stress button.”

Magical Breathing
*Here's a great way to help children relax and "center" themselves from my friend Barbara Gruener:

There’s nothing easier in the practice of mindfulness than turning something automatic, like breathing, into something that you do with intention. Try variations of the deep breath, like box breathing. Popular with military personnel, this deep-breathing technique asks you to breathe in for four counts, pause and hold it for four counts, exhale for four counts, and pause again for four counts. Use your pointer finger to draw a square to make it more tangible. Or, for fun, try backward breathing. Exhale first, then inhale.

PICTURE ME!

Children LOVE pictures of themselves, don't they?  Take photos of children and make multiple copies to use in these activities to nurture self esteem as well as social relationships.

Note!  It breaks my heart when I write these blogs knowing that you can't do many of these activities.  Save them for a Covid-free day!

Lookin’ Good Lotto!
You will need two copies of each child’s photo. Mount photos on 3” squares of construction paper. Shuffle squares and have children match up the ones that belong together.



*Put a photo on one square and a name on one square.

Puppet People 

Glue photos to craft sticks and use for working out problems or making up original stories.
                     

Block Friends  

Glue photos to square blocks and use in the block center.
               

Felt Board Friends 

Attach a small piece of Velcro to the back of each photo and use with a flannel board.

*Be sure to include a picture of the teacher!

                                                

Class Directory (Writing Center)

A HEART OF GOLD

There is a song of mine that you are probably familiar with called "Katalina Matalina." It's a silly song that the kids love, but there is also a special SEL lesson in her heart of gold.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OvNvMdz7BU

Katalina Matalina
Chorus: Katalina Matalina Upsadina Walkadina
Hoca Poca Loca was her name.

Her head was shaped like a baseball bat. (Point to head.)
And right on top was a funny, old hat. (Chorus)

She had two hairs in her head. (Point to hair.)
One was alive and the other was dead. (Chorus)

She had two eyes in her head. (Point to eyes.)
One was purple and the other was red. (Chorus)

She had two teeth in her mouth. (Point to mouth.)
One pointed north and the other pointed south. (Chorus)

Her neck was as long as a ten foot pole. (Point to neck.)
And right in the middle was a big, black bow. (Chorus)

Her hips were like two ships in port. (Wiggle hips.)
One headed south and the other headed north. (Chorus)

Her feet were as flat as a bathroom mat. (Point to feet.)
How did they ever get like that? (Chorus)

But she had a heart, so I’m told. (Put hands over heart.)
That was made of purest gold. (Chorus)

Here's a link with patterns so you can make your own Katalina:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1SnEagA4jljU0hTRGdIMkVPVWc/view?usp=sharing

Syllables - Clap out the syllables in Katalina’s name. Clap out the syllables in the children’s names in your classroom. Count how many claps in each person’s name. Compare and graph.

Comprehension - Have children close their eyes as you sing the song and create a picture of Katalina in their heads. Give each child a sheet of paper to draw her interpretation of Katalina. Display on a bulletin board or make a class book.



Diversity - Talk about what it means to have a heart of gold. Cut out 4 hearts and decorate with gold glitter. Punch holes in the hearts and tie on string to make necklaces. Each day when you see a child being a kind friend, let them wear Katalaina Matalina's heart of gold.
                                     

Kindness Club
Make a poster that says "Kindness Club." When friends do a kind deed ask children to write their name on the poster. You could also run off "Kindness Tickets" that children to give to friends to thank them.

Thanks to Carolyn Kisloski for creating these kindness tickets.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1SnEagA4jljaHRsT05ZYmxPZlE

I'VE GOT A FEELING!

It's important for children to recognize different feelings and help them learn to cope with them in appropriate ways. This is a familiar song where you can change the words to act out different emotions.

If You’re Happy and You Know It

If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.(Clap twice.)
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.(Clap twice.)
If you’re happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it.
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.(Clap twice.)

If you’re happy and you know it, hug yourself… (Hug self.)

If you’re happy and you know it, kiss your brain… (Kiss fingers & touch head.)

If you’re happy and you know it, wiggle all over… (Wiggle.)

If you’re happy and you know it, shout, “Hoorah!”.. (Put hand in air & shout.)

If you’re happy and you know it, do them all… (Do all 5 motions.)


*Make puppets to hold up as you sing. Aren't emoji perfect for this?

*Make “Feeling Faces” by cutting 7” circles out of the middle of card stock. Write a different emotion on each page, such as “happy,” “sad,” “angry,” “proud,” Children take turns putting their face in a circle and making appropriate facial expressions. Remind the children that it’s O.K. to have different feelings.




Role-Play
Demonstrate various alternatives for dealing with emotions and let children role-play what they could do. For example, what can you do when someone bullies you? What can you do when you are embarrassed?

Journals
Let children write their names and draw “feeling faces” as they enter the classroom each day.

                                 

*As you read books, invite children to relate when they’ve felt like the characters in the story.

*Extend vocabulary by brainstorming different ways to say “happy,” “sad,” “angry,” “surprised,” etc.


*As you read books, invite children to relate when they’ve felt like the characters in the story.

*Extend vocabulary by brainstorming different ways to say “happy,” “sad,” “angry,” “surprised,” etc.

                                                          

I THINK I CAN!

Read your class the classic story of "The Little Engine That Could." Explain that in your classroom everyone says "I CAN" like the little engine. Remind them that we are AmeriCANS and not Americant's!

I Think I Can (Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
I think I can are words I like to say.
I think I can are words I like to say.
In time I’ll get it right if I try with all my might.
I think I can are words I like to say.

 

Hint! Cover a Pringle's can with paper and glue on googly eyes. Pass the “eye can” around to remind children to say I CAN!!

How Does My Teacher Feel About Me?
Practice this chant and then use it to focus children's attention.  It's so much more positive and effective than SHHHH!

Teacher says: 

     “How does my teacher feel about me?”
Children respond: 

      “I’m as special as special can be (Open and close fingers like stars twinkling.)

      because my teacher believes in me!”  (Hug self.)

We Can Help
Have a class discussion about how friends CAN HELP each other.  Let children suggest different ways that they CAN HELP their friends.  Make a cover for a book that says "WE CAN HELP." Make inside pages for the book that say, “We are good readers.” “We can help you with the computer.” “We can tie shoes.” “We are good spellers.” “We like to draw.” “We are mathematicians.” “We like to clean.” (Include pages that represent the different academic skills, as well as common tasks in the classroom.) Encourage children to sign up on the pages where they can help others. When someone comes to you for help, remind them to look in the class WE CAN HELP book.

I CAN DO SOMETHING SPECIAL DAY!
Plan a special day where each child is invited to sing, dance, tell a joke, make something, share a hobby, etc. Emphasize that there are many ways to be wonderful!!

SUPERHERO YOGA (This idea from my friend Laura Buonadonna is as wonderful as she is!)
The kids dressed up like their favorite superhero. I muted them and put on some soft music. I showed them Yoga cards and then I demonstrated the moves for them to copy.

CLASS ROCK

These activities will acknowledge all the children in your classroom and encourage them to think positively about their peers.

Note!  I realize many of these activities will be impossible for you to do now, but save them for a happier day when we are all vaccinated!

Class Rock
Have children stand in a circle and begin this pattern: stomp, stomp, clap, stomp, stomp, clap. Chant each child's name to the beat as you go around the circle.

     We think child’s name is super. Super!
     We think child’s name is super. Super!

                     

*Pass a hand mirror around the classroom and ask each child to say one thing they like about themselves.



*Let children draw pictures to contribute to a class book called “The Best Thing about Me!” or "We Are Special!"

We Really Like You
Invite children to brainstorm words that describe good friends. Write these words on index cards and place them in a bag. (You will need a word for each child so you might have to make duplicates of words.) One at a time children come up and choose a word. Sing the word to the tune of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”We Really Like You (Tune: "We Wish You a Merry Christmas")

We like you because you’re wonderful.
We like you because you’re wonderful.
We like you because you’re wonderful.
We really like you!



Hint! Pin or tape words to children so they can strive for that adjective. If they are not behaving appropriately ask, "Are you doing what your word says? Do I need to take it away from you?" They will want to keep their word for sure!

Pass It On
Pass out a sheet of paper to each child and ask them to write their name at the top. Collect the papers and randomly pass one out to each child. Tell them to write one positive comment about the person whose name is on the paper. Continue passing the papers around the room as the children write something special about each classmate. (When children get their own papers, tell them to write something they like about themselves.) Collect the papers, put them in individual envelopes with their name, and save them for the end of the week. Reflect on how they felt when they read what their friends said about them.

STARTING THE DAY IN A POSITIVE WAY

Have children start the day by repeating each line of this chant after you. 

Note!  Sometimes you just have to "fake it til' you feel it."  If you pretend you are happy then your feelings will follow and they will be contagious to your students!

You’re the Best!
Teacher says: Thumbs up. (Stick out thumbs.)
Children repeat: Thumbs up.
Teacher says: Across the chest. (Bring across to the opposite shoulder.)
Children Repeat: Across the chest.
Teacher says: Pat on the back. (Pat self on the back.)
Children repeat: Pat on the back.
Teacher says: Cause you’re the best! (Wrap arms around self and hug.)
Children repeat: Cause you're the best!

Hint! You can easily change the words to this chant to "I'm the best!" or "We are the best!"

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.m
I am trustworthy.
I am responsible.
I am fair.
I am caring.
I use good manners.
I use kind words.
I can do it!
     

Morning Mantra
Teacher says: Boys and girls, what is my job today?
Children respond: Your job is to teach us and to love us.
Teacher says: Boys and girls, what is your job today?
Children respond: 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.)

GOALS AND CHEERS

Helping children think about positive character traits and set goals for the New Year can boost their self-confidence and the executive function.

Cheers and Goals
Give children a piece of paper. Have them fold it in half and write “Cheers” on one side and “Goals” on the other side. On the “Cheers” side encourage them to draw pictures of three things they have learned that make them feel proud. (Older students could label these and younger students could dictate descriptions.) On the “Goals” side children draw pictures of three things they are working on. Again, they can write sentences or dictate goals to the teacher.

*This would be a good work sample to share with parents at conference time.

Paper Airplanes
Ask children to write and illustrate goals on a piece of paper. Next, demonstrate how to fold the paper into an airplane. Let students fly their airplanes across the room or on the playground as they visualize themselves achieving their goals.

Pride Portfolio
Invite each child to decorate a file folder and store it in a special box or tub in the classroom. When they do something they are proud of they can date it and store it in their folder.

•Hint! If you did this with an illustration and writing sample at the beginning of each month they could “revisit” past work and see how they are improving.

IS ANYBODY OUT THERE?

You know, sometimes I write these blogs and I wonder: "IS ANYBODY OUT THERE?  DOES ANYBODY READ THESE?"  And then I get a special message from a teacher like the one below:

Oh my goodness, Dr. Jean- you have hit the nail on the head!!! We are all online because of COVID and this is exactly what our school and our students’ parents were “Buzzing” about! In fact, our Kindergarten and First Grade team is starting a Projects Based Learning Project entitled “How can we create emotional connection through technology?”

We are starting by teaching about “play” - what toys kids played with TOGETHER in the early past ( they are making corn husk dolls and paper airplanes for homework this week), plus past before COVID, and of course now. 

The second week, we are making "All About Me" posters and learning about our classmates. 

The third week, we are learning what a friend is and learning social skills and facial cues- what listening looks like and sounds like (these songs are PERFECT!). 

The fourth week, we will brainstorm how to play through technology (but not using online computer games)- possibly self created games such as Simon Says, Mystery Bags, scavenger hunts, etc. 

The fifth week, the kids will be making “invitations” (posters, google slides, video) to invite others to their game they create....

PBL is supposed to have a "speaker" talk to the kids- we are still looking for someone - let us know if you might be interested in helping out! We are so looking forward to your next few emails on the SEL subject ! Thank you!!!!
 

Sincerely,

Alison Riegel- Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten

Elizabeth Whitson- First Grade