BADGES AND BEARS AND COOKIES, OH, MY!

These are inexpensive, easy to make, and can provide repetition in daily routines.

LETTER BADGES
Purchase plastic name badge holders at an office supply store. (Or you can save these from conferences.) Choose one letter each day and write it on paper cut to fit in the name badge. Wear the badge and at random times break out in this song to the tune of “BINGO.”

There is a letter you should know,
What can the letter be oh?
/F/ /F/ It’s an F.
/F/ /F/ It’s an F.
/F/ /F/ It’s an F.
The letter F you know!

*Make letter badges for all the letters in the alphabet and let children choose a different one each day to wear. Let the children walk around the room and shake hands with their friends as they practice identifying each other’s letters. For example: “Hello Q!” “Hello S!”

*Call the children by the letter they are wearing instead of their name.
For example: “D, come sit by me.”


LETTER SUPERVISOR
You will need a plastic visor, index cards, and tape for this activity. Choose a different letter each day and write it on the index card. Tape the index card to the visor. Choose one child each day to wear the visor and be the “letter supervisor.” Every time you leave the classroom the letter supervisor stands at the door with her arm extended. Classmates must name the letter or say a word that starts with that sound before she raises her arm and lets them exit the room.



HIGH FIVE HANDS
Cut hands out of construction paper and write letters you want to reinforce on the hands. Tape to the door. As children exit or enter the classroom they “high five” the hands and say the letters (or make the letter sounds.)

LETTER BEARS
You will be able to get a lot of “mileage” out of these little bears. Cut 26 bears out of construction paper. Write upper and lowercase letters on all the bears. Mix up the bears and then sing this song to the tune of “Twinkle Little Star” as the letters are revealed:

Dd bear, Dd bear, what do you see?
I see Kk bear looking at me.
Kk bear, Kk bear, what do you see…

*Focus children’s attention while they settle down for a story or lesson with the letter bears. You could also use the bears as a transition activity. Dismiss children to line up, wash their hands, etc. when the letter that their name starts with appears.

Letter Bear Pattern
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1SnEagA4jljUjloN1BNSUxlOUU/view?usp=sharing


WHO ATE THE COOKIE?
You will need an empty cookie box and cardstock to make this game. Cut 3” circles out of the cardstock and write letters on them. Place in the box. One child at a time chooses a “cookie” (letter) out of the box as you chant?

Who ate (letter) in the cookie jar?
(Child’s name) at the (letter) in the cookie jar.
Who me?
Yes, you!
Couldn’t be.
Then who? (It names another friend and passes the box to them.)

Note! This game is made from all recycled materials!

WASH YOUR HANDS

Washing hands can be an effective way to keep you and your children healthy. It might be wise at the beginning of the year to have a discussion about WHEN you should wash your hands. (You have to remember that children come from different homes with different expectation.)

Practice washing hands following the guidelines and teach children a song to make the task more fun.



Wash, Wash, Wash Your Hands (Tune: "Row, Row, Row Your Boat")
Wash, wash, wash your hands
play the handy game.
Rub and scrub and scrub and rub
Germs go down the drain!

Mirror
Children love to look at themselves in the mirror, so place a mirror above the sink where children clean up. Remind them to sing "Happy Birthday" to yourself twice as you look in the mirror.

Scrub a Dub
(Tune: "Yellow Bird")
Scrub a dub, rub, rub, a scrub a dub.
Scrub a dub, rub, rub, a scrub a dub.
Germs go down the drain,
And that’s not a shame.
Wash the dirt away,
Get hands clean today.
Soap them up real good,
Rinse them like you should.
And healthy you’ll be!


Potty, Flush, and Wash (Cindy and Tracy)
Several years ago at a workshop two teachers taught us this song to the tune of “London Bridge.”
Potty, flush, and wash your hands,
Wash your hands, wash your hands.
Potty, flush and wash your hands
Everytime!

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT SECRETS

As I was going through some old files I came across a handout titled “Top Ten Secrets of Classroom Management.” Although it was written years ago, I believe the points are as timely as ever. It was a reminder once again that GOOD TEACHING IS GOOD TEACHING! I hope you’ll find at least one or two tips that will ring clear for you this new school year.

1. Be firm, fair, and consistent. (I actually learned this in my first education class. It’s one of those things that sounds simple, but it’s not always easy.)

*Keep cool, calm, and use a quiet voice. (As you lower your voice and breath slowly you will “pull” them in.)

2. Follow a daily schedule.

*Start each day in a happy way. (Of course, a Dr. Jean silly song always works.)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z60vA7vVYUY

*Use routines and rituals. (My handshakes, attention grabbers, and cheers are what I’m talking about.)

3. Communicate clearly and concisely. (Say what you mean and mean what you say.)

*Use your body language, facial expression, and tone of voice. (Develop your own “look” that means “get it together now!”)

*Use sign language.

4. Have classroom rules that are few, simple, and affirmative. (Let’s hear it for the “Rules Rap.”)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z60vA7vVYUY

*Be specific about what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior. (You may do this, but you may not do that!)

5. Use positive guidance techniques.

*Redirect. (Give them something positive to do to replace the negative behavior.)

*Natural consequences. (You hurt Juan’s feelings. How can you make him feel better?)

*Discipline in private. (I found it worked best to pull a child quietly aside, hold their hands, look in their eyes, and talk to them about what they needed to do.)

6. Prevent problems whenever possible.

*Divide and conquer. (Separate those trouble makers!)

*Problem solve with the children. (Talk to them when there is a classroom issue. Get their input into how to improve the situation.)

*Observe and document. (Children tell us things by their behavior. Do they argue over a classroom object? Are they fidgety before math? How can you manipulate the environment and schedule to alleviate the issue?)

7. Use a variety of teaching strategies and grouping techniques. (Another timeless tip I learned my first year in college was to vary the instructional strategies. You can’t do the same thing over and over.)

*Large group.
*Small group.
*Independent.
*Choices.

8. Provide children with opportunities to vent energy.

*Brain breaks. (This is nothing new. Children have always needed to wiggle. And teachers need to wiggle, too!)

*Sing and dance. (I’ve got lots of free videos to help you.)

*Exercise.

*Talking recess. (Let them have a babble break and just walk around the room and chit-chat with their friends for a few minutes.)

9. Only do what only you can do!
(Don’t wear yourself out doing menial tasks.)

*Encourage children to accept responsibility.

*Be a model for them. (They won’t know how to wash the tables or put away materials if you don’t demonstrate first.)

*Set high expectations. (It’s amazing what little children can do if you expect it.)

10.Keep a bag of tricks up your sleeve….and that’s what I’ll share with you today! Come back tomorrow for some of those tricks!

MOTHER'S DAY

Mother's Day is just around the corner on May 10th. I'm sure you'll find an idea just right for your special moms on my blog today.

A Box for Mommy (Tune: "Polly Wolly Doodle")
I wish I had a little box (Pretend to hold a box in your hands.)
To put my mommy in. (Pretend to put something in the box.)
I’d take her out and go (Take something out of the box
(kiss, kiss, kiss) and kiss in the air.)
And put her back again.

If my mommy were in my box
Were in my box, then she would always know.
School or play, night or day,
How I love her so! (Cross arms over chest.)

I made this box for mother’s day, (Pretend to hold a box.)
It’s full of love for you.
When we’re apart, hold it to your heart, (Put hands over heart.)
And know I’m thinking of you.

Box of Love Necklace
You can collect small boxes that jewelry come in or use matchboxes for this project. Spray paint the boxes and then let the children decorate them with stickers, glitter pens, etc. Glue a small picture of the child inside the box. Punch a hole and attach a ribbon so it can be worn around the neck. Teach children the song and let them present their necklaces at a Mother’s Day tea, or send the boxes home with the words to the song.

My Mom Can
Let each child make a predictable book about all the things their mom can do.



Hats off for Moms
These are adorable hats from paper plates that children can make for their mothers. Cut the inner section out of the plate. Decorate the outer rim with markers. Cut 4” squares out of tissue paper and wad up and glue on the rim to look like flowers. Punch a hole in each side and tie on a 16” piece of string or ribbon. Place the hat on your head and tie under the chin.

LOVE YOU Flower
Trace around children's hands on construction paper and cut out. Glue to a stem and fold down the middle and ring finger to make sign language for "I love you!"




A Gift from the Heart
Make a flip book and write the following on the flips:
Some gifts are round.
Some gifts are tall.
Some gifts are large.
Some gifts are small.

Open and write:
But a gift from the heart is the best gift of all!

(Glue the child's photo or let them draw a picture of themselves.)
*Hint! Write "flip book" in my search engine to see how to make this book.


Handprints
Have children dip their hands in mud (or use paint) and press them on a sheet of paper. Let them decorate and then add this poem:
Here are my handprints made for you
this happy Mother's Day.
These are ones you can always keep
and not have to wash away!

SNOWING ARTS AND CRAFTS

http://bit.ly/drjeanWinterFun

Snow Dough
You can use any play dough recipe for snow dough. Simply omit the food coloring and let the children knead in iridescent glitter to make it sparkle. (My favorite dough is: 2 cups flour, 2 cup salt, 2 TB. cream of tartar, 2 TB. vegetable oil, and 2 cups water. Mix ingredients together in a pan until smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture forms a ball and sticks to the spoon. Cool and knead. Store in airtight containers.)
Note! Make sure children wash hands before and after playing with dough.


Snow Flakes
Let children fold coffee filters in half, then fourths and eighths. Cut little “bites” out of the folded edges. Open. You can make colorful snowflakes by coloring the coffee filters with water soluble markers before cutting them.

Hint! Make snowflakes out of newspaper, tissue paper, wrapping paper, and other types of recycled paper.


Snow Prints
Let children draw winter scenes on blue construction paper with crayons. Give them white paint and a sponge or Q-tip to “make it snow.”


Positive and Negative
Fold a sheet of construction paper in half. Cut three semi-circles similar to the one shown on the fold. Open. Explain the positive and negative shapes. Use the snowman cutouts for some of the games mentioned yesterday. Tape wax paper to the the back of the negative design as shown. Let children decorate and the hang on a window.

Ice Skating
Give each child 2 paper plates. Demonstrate how to place these on the floor and put one foot on each plate. Slide your feet as if skating. Put on some waltz music and let the children skate, twist, and turn. Play “freeze.” When you stop the music children must “freeze” in their positions. When the music begins again they may continue to skate.


Snow People
Instead of drawing snow “men,” encourage children to paint or draw snow ladies, snow children, snow pets, and other characters.


Sock Snowman
You will need a white tube sock and some fiber fill for this project. Children stuff 3 large handfuls of fiber fill into the toe of the sock to make the snowman’s body. Tie off with yarn or string. Stuff 2 large handfuls to make the middle section. Tie off. Stuff 1 large handful for the head and tie off at the top. Invert the top of the sock and pull over the head for a hat. Children can decorate with markers, felt scraps, etc. Encourage them to name their snowman and tell a story about what they would do if it were real.

Icebergs
Fill plastic containers with water. Add food coloring and freeze. Place these in your water table and tell the children they are icebergs. Add walruses, polar bears, and other plastic arctic animals.

FLASH CARD GAMES

You can take advantage of all the little “teachable times” in your school day with these ideas. Keep flashcards handy for when you have a few extra minutes before lunch, as children wash hands, or while waiting for the bell to ring. Make a different set of flashcards every few weeks that focus on specific skills your students need to master. You can use these games for letters, shapes, numbers, sight words, math facts, etc.

*Store games in a sand bucket on your desk for easy access.

*Keeping Score – Try this idea to avoid students being too aggressive. Cut out two circles from poster board and glue them together. Write “high” on one side and “low” on the other. After playing a game toss the circle. If “high” appears the team with the highest score wins. If “low” comes up the team with the lowest score is the winner.

Hint! If children don’t know the answer when playing games allow them to “phone a friend” (ask a friend) or “ask the audience” (ask the class).

BOOM!
Write “BOOM!” with a bright marker or glitter pen on several of the flashcards. As you “flash” through the cards, children identify the information. When “BOOM!” appears, children jump up and shout out “Boom!” 

*Change the surprise word for different holidays and seasons. In January use a snowman sticker and write “Brrrr!” The children stand up and pretend to shiver when it appears.

*Another fun version is “cowboys” and “chickens.” Insert pictures of a few cowboys and a few chickens. When the cowboy appears the children stand up and pretend to twirl a lasso. When the chicken appears they stand up and flap their arms and cluck.

Kids vs. Teacher
Draw a T chart on the board with “Kids” on one side and “Teacher” on the other side. Hold up a flash card. If a child raises her hand and correctly reads the word, she gets a point for the “kids.” If any child shouts out the answer, then the teacher gets a point.

(If children keep talking out of turn, just continue to give points to the teacher. They’ll figure it out!)

Pick Up
Place the flash cards randomly on the floor in the middle of the room. Divide the class into two teams. Choose one child from each team to come up and play. Call out a word. The first child to pick it up wins a point for their team.

*At the beginning of the school year write the children’s names on plates. Have children stand in a circle and place 5 plates on the floor. Sing, “If your name is on a plate pick it up” to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It.”

Musical Plates
You remember the old game where you placed chairs in a circle and walked around until the music stopped? If you didn’t find a chair you were OUT! This is a similar game that can be used to reinforce letters, words, math facts. etc. Write information you want to reinforce on paper plates. Scatter them on the floor. Play some catchy music for the children to dance to. When the music stops each child finds a paper plate and picks it up. The teacher randomly points to various children to identify the information on their plate.

Word Worm
Draw the face of a worm on a 9” circle. Pass out a word card to each child. One at a time children come up and place their word next to the worm’s head. Each child reads all of the previous words before placing her word down. How long can the worm grow?
Note! Children can “ask the audience” to read with them if they are unsure of the words.

GOOD BYE SONGS

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9QbZnLqeMw

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…


3 –H Good-bye
Heigh-de-ho, heigh-de-hay,
Sure am glad you came today.
Before you go, what do you say?
Hug, handshake, or high-5 today? 

*Cut out a hand (handshake), heart (hug), and "5" (high five). Children choose the one they want to give the teacher before they leave the classroom.

Car Wash
Children form two lines facing each other and begin moving their hands in a circular motion like a car wash. One child at a time walks down the center of the car wash as friends gently touch them and say something positive about them.

Thumbs Up
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.) 

WASH YOUR HANDS AND BACK TO SCHOOL JOKES

Washing hands can be an effective way to keep you and your children healthy. It might be wise at the beginning of the year to have a discussion about WHEN you should wash your hands. (You have to remember that children come from different homes with different expectation.) 

Practice washing hands following the guidelines and teach children a song to make the task more fun.

Wash, Wash, Wash Your Hands (Tune: "Row, Row, Row Your Boat")
Wash, wash, wash your hands
play the handy game.
Rub and scrub and scrub and rub
Germs go down the drain!

Mirror
Children love to look at themselves in the mirror, so place a mirror above the sink where children clean up. Remind them to sing "Happy Birthday" to yourself twice as you look in the mirror.

Scrub a Dub
(Tune: "Yellow Bird")
Scrub a dub, rub, rub, a scrub a dub.
Scrub a dub, rub, rub, a scrub a dub.
Germs go down the drain,
And that’s not a shame.
Wash the dirt away,
Get hands clean today.
Soap them up real good,
Rinse them like you should.
And healthy you’ll be!

Potty, Flush, and Wash (Cindy and Tracy)
Several years ago at a workshop two teachers taught us this song to the tune of “London Bridge.”
Potty, flush, and wash your hands,
Wash your hands, wash your hands.
Potty, flush and wash your hands
Every time!

BACK TO SCHOOL JOKES

Video

https://bit.ly/drJAugRiddlesNarr

PDF

https://bit.ly/drJRiddles8-25

SECRETS OF CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT AND A BAG OF TRICKS

As I was going through some old files I came across a handout titled “Top Ten Secrets of Classroom Management.” Although it was written years ago, I believe the points are as timely as ever. It was a reminder once again that GOOD TEACHING IS GOOD TEACHING! I hope you’ll find at least one or two tips that will ring clear for you this new school year.

1. Be firm, fair, and consistent. (I actually learned this in my first education class. It’s one of those things that sounds simple, but it’s not always easy.)

*Keep cool, calm, and use a quiet voice. (As you lower your voice and breath slowly you will “pull” them in.)


2. Follow a daily schedule.

*Start each day in a happy way. (Of course, a Dr. Jean silly song always works.)

*Use routines and rituals. (My handshakes, attention grabbers, and cheers are what I’m talking about.)


3. Communicate clearly and concisely. (Say what you mean and mean what you say.)

*Use your body language, facial expression, and tone of voice. (Develop your own “look” that means “get it together now!”)

*Use sign language.


4. Have classroom rules that are few, simple, and affirmative. (Let’s hear it for the “Rules Rap.”)

*Be specific about what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior. (You may do this, but you may not do that!)


5. Use positive guidance techniques.

*Redirect. (Give them something positive to do to replace the negative behavior.)

*Natural consequences. (You hurt Juan’s feelings. How can you make him feel better?)

*Discipline in private. (I found it worked best to pull a child quietly aside, hold their hands, look in their eyes, and talk to them about what they needed to do.)


6. Prevent problems whenever possible.

*Divide and conquer. (Separate those trouble makers!)

*Problem solve with the children. (Talk to them when there is a classroom issue. Get their input into how to improve the situation.)

*Observe and document. (Children tell us things by their behavior. Do they argue over a classroom object? Are they fidgety before math? How can you manipulate the environment and schedule to alleviate the issue?)


7. Use a variety of teaching strategies and grouping techniques. (Another timeless tip I learned my first year in college was to vary the instructional strategies. You can’t do the same thing over and over.)

*Large group.
*Small group.
*Independent.
*Choices.


8. Provide children with opportunities to vent energy.

*Brain breaks. (This is nothing new. Children have always needed to wiggle. And teachers need to wiggle, too!)

*Sing and dance. (I’ve got lots of free videos to help you.)

*Exercise.

*Talking recess. (Let them have a babble break and just walk around the room and chit-chat with their friends for a few minutes.)


9. Only do what only you can do!
(Don’t wear yourself out doing menial tasks.)

*Encourage children to accept responsibility.

*Be a model for them. (They won’t know how to wash the tables or put away materials if you don’t demonstrate first.)

*Set high expectations. (It’s amazing what little children can do if you expect it.)


10.Keep a bag of tricks up your sleeve!

You Knock My Socks Off! 

You will need an old pair of socks, a stick, and a piece of string 18” long for this project. Tie a sock to each end of the string. Tie the middle of the string to the stick. When children do something outstanding, take the stick and wave it in the air as you say, “You knock my socks off!”

Mr. Good for You!
A cloth glove, markers, fiberfill, and pipe cleaner are all you need to make a “good for you hand.” First, draw a happy face on one side of the glove with the markers. Fill the glove tightly with fiberfill or another stuffing. Gather the bottom of the glove and secure with a pipe cleaner. Children get “Mr. Good for You” and pat themselves on the back when they accomplish a new task.

Flashlight Spotlight
Take a flashlight and shine it on a child who is modeling the behavior you are looking for. “Spotlight on (child’s name). He’s got his math book and he’s ready to learn.”

Happy Chappy
You will need some lip balm with a fragrance. Gently rub children’s right hand with a “happy chappy” when they are following directions.



Peace Flower
When two children have a disagreement let them hold the flower with both hands as they look at each other. When they have resolved their conflict they can hug and to back and play.

Would you like to see me demonstrate some of these?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVc0xT0Z0rY&t=155s

https://bit.ly/drJFunTools

SENSORY MOTOR CENTER

WHY?

Sand, water, and other “messy” materials give children sensory pleasure while developing small motor skills, math concepts, social skills, and language.

Hint! Some of these activities are perfect for the playground on a warm day.

Materials

Sand or water table (You can also use your classroom sink, plastic tubs or a wading pool.)

Smocks

Towel

Spoons, shovels

Pails

Watering can

Pots, pans, toy dishes

Plastic containers

Bottles

Measuring cups

Funnels

Sponges

Washable baby dolls, clothes

Sifter, strainer

Plastic boats

Ping-pong balls

Water wheel

Plastic cars and trucks,

Plastic animals and toys

Egg beaters

Eye droppers


*Note! Children should wash their hands before and after using sensory materials.

SMALL MOTOR

WHY?

As children play with table toys and manipulatives they develop small muscles, eye-hand coordination, attention span, social skills, language, and they learn how to begin and complete a task. They also build concepts about size, shape, color and patterns.

Materials

Table and chairs

Puzzles

Beads

Sewing cards

Pegboard

Dressing toys

Nuts and bolts

Scissors

Pattern cards

Playing cards

Puzzle rack

Lacing activities

Nesting toys

Locks and keys

Take-apart toys

Hole punch

Play dough and props

Parquetry blocks

Paper and pencils

Clay

Board games

Snap toys

Hint! Encourage children to wash their hands before and after using small motor materials.

MONKEY AROUND

We love our little monkeys in our classrooms, don’t we?

Caps for Sale
This was always one of my favorite books to read to my class. It was such fun to let the children be the monkeys and act out the tale. We did this in the classroom as well as outside on the playground equipment.

Monkey on a Swing
Cut a sheet of paper as shown. Roll down the top section and staple to make the monkey’s head. Decorate with markers or crayons. Glue on a tail. Staple the monkey’s hands to a straw and watch him swing.

Compare and Contrast
Get several copies of Curious George books. Compare and contrast George’s adventures. How are they alike? How are they different? Could those adventures really happen?

Five Little Monkeys
Five little monkeys jumping on the bed. (Hold up five fingers.)
One fell off and bumped her head. (Touch your head.)
Momma called the doctor and the doctor said, (Pretend to hold a phone.)
“That’s what you get for jumping on the bed!” (Point finger.)
Four…three..two…one…
No little monkeys jumping on the bed.
They are sick with broken heads!

*Change the number of monkeys in the song. Children will also get a kick out of saying, "Five little mommies jumping on the bed..."

Monkeys and Alligator 

Five little monkeys swinging from a tree, (Hold up five fingers.)
Teasing Mr. Alligator, “Can’t catch me.”
Along came Mr. Alligator quiet as can be,
And snatched a monkey right out of that tree!
Four little monkeys… (Hold up appropriate number of
Three…two…one… fingers on hand.)
“Missed me, missed me. (Stick thumbs in ears and tease.)
Now you gotta kiss me!”

Click to view video

*Choose five children to be monkeys and one child to be the alligator to act out this song.

Monkey Tail Sandwich
You will need:
Hot dog buns
Bananas
Peanut butter (or substitute)
1. Wash your hands.
2. Spread peanut butter in the bun.
3. Peel the banana and insert it in the bun.
4. Yum! Yum!