QUIET MAN AND QUIET HANDS

QUIET Man (Candace Reed)
Make "quiet man" with your fingers by sticking up pinky and pointer and touching thumb, ring man, and tall man. When the teacher holds up "quiet man" the children respond by making "quiet man" and focusing on the teacher.
                             
Quiet Hands
When you want children to settle down ask them to show you their “quiet hands” as you model folding your hands. When they focus on their hands they will become quiet.

Magic Triangle  (Cathy Crady)
Remind children that they all have a magic triangle in their pocket. (Place pointers and thumbs next to each other to form a triangle.) When they need to calm down or if a child is upset she has them take out their magic triangle and hold it in front of their mouth. She tells them to take a deep breath in through their nose, and then slowly blow through the triangle.

Word Hunt (Amy Fritz)
Each week students use their journal to go on a word hunt. Words must begin with a different letter or digraph each week and must be found in the classroom.
*Adapt for parts of speech, math words, seasonal words, etc.
                                                              
Secret Message in Sign (Melanie Wilkins)
Enlarge sign language letters and attach a magnetic strip to the back of each letter. Write a "secret” message or word each day on the board for the children to decode and write on their morning work.

Karaoke Kafe (Pam Stonecipher)
Encourage children to share their stories, journals, and other writings with Karaoke Kafe. Provide a play microphone and special chair where they can sit and read to classmates. Younger children could recite nursery rhymes.

Good Job Rally (Veda Hamrick)
Have children form two lines facing each other. One at a time children walk between the two lines as friends give them "high five" and say, "Good job!"

Bubbles and Duck Tails (Jennifer Conatser)
Before lining up say, "bubbles and duck tails." Children put imaginary bubbles in their mouths and put their hands behind their backs to make duck tails.

Mailbox Vocabulary (Cheryl Grasso, Boston)
Place a small mailbox on your desk. If the flag is up, that means there is a new vocabulary word in the mailbox. Model using the “special delivery” word in sentences throughout the day.

Happy Day
(Tune: “Happy Birthday to You”)
Hello! Good Day!
You’re looking mighty fine.
Come in and have a seat
And be a friend of mine.

Put Your Bottom on the Rug
(Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
Put your bottom on the rug, on the rug.
Put your bottom on the rug, on the rug.
Put your bottom on the rug, then give yourself a hug.
Put your bottom on the rug, on the rug.

KINDNESS SPRINKLES AND COMPLIMENT COOKIES

Kindness Sprinkles (Christin Cannan)
You “sprinkle” kindness (hands up and wiggle fingers) on the Star of the Week, Birthday Child, or for other occasions.

Spacing Spaghetti and Meatballs
To help children with spacing between letters and words give them a dry spaghetti noodle and a pom pom (meatball). They should use the dry spaghetti noodle between letters and the “meatball” between words.
                                                     
Occupation in a Bag (Megan Pope)
When studying community helpers, send home a paper bag with each student. Ask them to put in items that explain what their parents do. This is great for parents who are too busy to come in and speak about their jobs.
                      
Number Bottle Shake (Jennifer Sitka, Winnipeg, Canada)
Fill an empty plastic bottle half way with water and place a die inside. Place the lid on and seal with packing tape so the students cannot get the bottle open. Let children take turns shaking the bottle with a partner. They can say the number on the die, write the number down, make up a number sentence, etc.

Number Combinations (Linda Patterson, Lawrenceville, GA)
Put dots on paper plates (for example, 6 red dots and 2 blue dots). Flash the plates and children add them up.  Children can whisper the answer or use their fingers to show the sum.
Hint! Use bingo dotters or stickers on plates to make different combinations.

Treasure Box Math (Whitney Farmer)
Buy a treasure boxes at a craft store.  Put 10 gems in the box. Take out three. How many are left in the box?
                                             
Count to 100 (Special K’s, Heritage El., Marion, OH)
Count each “ten” with a different style.
Quiet 1’s (Whisper)
Yucky Teens (Attitude!)
Roaring 20’s (Loud)
Twisty 30’s (Do the twist)
Jumpy 40’s (Jump)
Flying 50’s (Spread arms)
Angry 60’s (Stomp feet)
Spooky 70’s (Ghost voice)
Flip Pancakes 80’s (Pretend to flip pancakes)
Laughing 90’s (Hold stomach and laugh)
Jump and Cheer for 100!!!
                  
Compliment Cookies (Whitney Farmer, Pulaski Co. Schools, KY)
Place a pan somewhere in the room. Cut cookies out of construction paper. Whenever the class receives a compliment, place a cookie in the pan. When the pan is full everyone can enjoy a cookie party!

YOU'RE INVITED TO A WORD BALL!

Word Wall Ball (Lynn Urban, Chesterfield Co., VA)
Students earn a bead for each word wall word they learn and string it on a necklace. Once all word wall words have been learned, they earn a “gold” bead. In the spring celebrate with a BALL! Students wear nice clothes and their word bead necklaces. Serve refreshments, and dance!
                                    
Riddle Book (Leighann Beam, Raleigh, NC)
Create a “Riddle Book” for each child with blank paper stapled between construction paper. The children get to decorate the cover. The teacher reads a riddle to the class. Establish a routine where everyone puts a finger to their lips and says, “Shhh!” when they think they know the answer. The children draw a picture of what they think the answer is and then try to write the word. The children share their thoughts and then the teacher shares the answer. Save riddles and answers in their “Riddle Books.”

Oh No! Game (Jane Sparks, Murrells Inlet, SC)
Take a paper sack and write a word ending on the front. For example: “at.” Write the words “fat,” “cat,” “mat,” “sat,” etc. on cards and place them in the sack. Make two cards for each word. Add several “Oh NO!” cards. Each child pulls out a card and reads the word. If they draw “Oh NO!” they must put their cards back in the bag. After all the cards are out of the bag each child finds the friend that has the same word.
              


Air Hug (Jane McPartland, St. Louis, MO)
Say, “Give me an air hug.” Students open arms and pretend to squeeze.

Air Kisses (Beth Jenkins, VA)
Kiss your fingertips numerous times as you scan the class. Blow kisses to all the children. Cross your arms across your chest and rub your arms as you say, “Feel the love.”
                                                                       
Mini Books (Timara McCollum, Dillard Academy Charter)
Fold several index cards in half. Open and cut a ½” slit on the top and bottom of the center crease. Insert a small hair rubber band. 

                       
Recess Line Up (Jane McPartland, St. Louis, MO)
At the end of recess blow a whistle and start counting backwards from 20. Students count with you and everyone has to be in line by zero.

“Today Is P.E.” (Bron Wolfe, Henry County, GA)
To help children learn the schedule, adapt the song “Today Is Sunday” to include specials you have each day. For example, “Today is Monday. Monday P.E. Today is Tuesday. Tuesday music. Today is Wednesday. Wednesday art…”

Main Idea (Elizabeth Burriss, Briston, TN)
Switch book covers on several books. Have children look at the cover and guess who the main character will be, the main idea, etc. Read the book. The class will realize that the story does not match the cover. After reading the story have the children illustrate a cover for the book and select a title. Compare their pictures to the real book cover.

KINDERGARTEN CADENCE AND PLEDGE

These ideas are ones I collected years ago, but they are definitely "keepers."  The Kindergarten Cadence and Class Pledge could easily be adapted to any grade level.

Kindergarten Cadence (Paula Pennell, Lenoir, NC)
(Students repeat each line.)
Kindergarten, kindergarten, what do you say?
We’re gonna have some fun today!
We’re gonna read and write and spell.
We’ll do these things very well.
Sound off. (Students repeat 1-2).
Sound off. (Students repeat 3-4).
Bring it on down, 1-2-3-4 (clap, clap) 3-4.
                                  
Class Pledge (Brenda Stremmel)
Make a class flag from the children’s handprints, and then teach children this pledge:
I pledge to myself on this day
To try to be kind in every way.
To every person big or small
I will help them if they fall.
I will love myself and others, too.
That’s the best that I can do!

SMART Board Contestant (Julie Cunday)
Child’s name come on down.
You’re the next contestant on
Name that number (letter, etc.).

Welcome Collage (Emily Hall, Danville, VA)
Make a poster with “Who is this teacher’s name?” in the middle. Put pictures of your favorite things, places, foods, etc. on the poster. Add personal pictures of friends and family. Display this at Open House. For the first few days of school let each student pick a picture for you to talk about.
                   
Family Photo Sheet (Sherry Lee & Jess McGuire, Concord, NC)
At the beginning of the year send home one sheet of colored construction paper and ask students to cover the page with family pictures. Ask their parents to label the pictures. Put the family photo sheet in a sheet protector and have children keep it in their writing folder. This will inspire them to write about family members and experiences.

Days of School Count  (Catherine Bouwman)
Touch body parts each day as you count during calendar time.
Touch toes for 1/6/11/16…
Touch knees for 2/7/12/17…
Touch hips for 3/8/13/18…
Touch shoulders for 4/9/14/19…
Touch heads for 5/10/15/20…
*Remind children that they should be touching their heads on all 5’s and 10’s. You can also let them shout when they get to the 5’s and 10’s. 

6 vs. 9 (Donna Bell, Magnolia/Woodlands, TX)
Use this rhyme to help children discriminate #6 from #9.
Number 6 is always sick.
Holds his head down, ick, ick, ick! (Bend head down.)
Number 9 is always fine.
Holds his head up all the time! (Hold head up tall.)

Handwriting Warm-Up (Allison Burney, Rowlett, TX)
Buy individual containers of play dough for each child. (These are available where they sell party favors.) Before doing handwriting activities, let the children warm up their fingers by playing with play dough. One day they might make snakes, another day snowballs, and another day free play with the play dough. The children won’t realize that they are building small muscles that will help them write.

Start the Day with a Smile! (Eva Arteaga)
Put a smiley sticker on each child’s right hand when they arrive at school. This will help them learn their right hand and encourage them to be at school on time!
                                                                         
Abracadabra! (Emily Hilbig, Houston, TX)
Close your eyes and pretend to wave a magic wand as you say:
Abracadabra!
I want my friends to make good choices
like sitting on their bottoms
and using inside voices.”
Snap your fingers and open your eyes!

KISS YOUR BRAIN!

Kiss Your Brain! Pointer
Cut a pair of lips out of paper and cut a hole out of the center as shown and attach to a craft stick. Children can use this to focus on words, letters, etc. They can also use it to kiss their brains!
                                             Tracking Print (Kathy Smith)
To help children learn to track print, sing this song to the tune of “London Bridge.”
     When you read you track the print, 
     Track the print, track the print.
     When you read you track the print,
     Touch every word.
     Start on the left and move to the right,
     Move to the right, move to the right.
     Start on the left and move to the right,
     Track every word.

Classroom Mystery
Encourage your students to problem solve and take responsibility with this idea. When there is a problem in your room (such as a center not cleaned up, trash on the floor, etc.) simply say, “Mmmmm? We have a mystery in our classroom. I wonder who can help us solve it?”

Photo Memory Game (Kindra Schoenradt, Austin, TX)
Make copies of children’s photos and glue to cardboard squares to make a memory game. You could have them match up like photos or have them match up photos and names.
            
One Hundred Day Caterpillar (Donna Franklin, Louisville, KY)
Make a caterpillar head and then let one student put up a number each day. Make the 5’s red and the 10’s blue. Every day count how many days you have been in school. You can decide each day if you will count by 1’s, 5’s, or 10’s. Make a special 100 circle.

*Hint! This will cover over 2 walls so put it up high on your wall.

I Love You! (Sheila W.)
Here’s another way to say, “I Love You!” in sign language. Kiss your fist and then point to a child. Sweet!

It’s Time for Us to Go (Arlene Middendorf, FL)
Sing this song to the tune of “The Farmer in the Dell” to end your day:
     It’s time for us to go.
     It’s time for us to go.
     Say good-bye to all your friends.
     It’s time for us to go.

     We’ve had a busy day.
     We’ve learned a lot today.
     Say good-bye to all your friends.
     It’s time for us to go.
                                              
Children select the symbol for how they will go home and line up.
Walkers – Feet
Car Riders – Car
Bus Riders – Bus
After School – Schoolhouse

Self-Check for Classroom Management (Elizabeth Rennels)
Teach children how to do a “self-check.” Make sure their heads are doing what they
are suppose to do (eyes, ears, mouth), hands are doing their job, feet are doing their job. Put the responsibility on the students by asking them to “please do a self-check.”

Short and to the Point! (Elizabeth Rennels)
To settle children into their seats say, “Backs on the backs, bottoms on the bottoms, and feet on the floor.”

INTEREST INVENTORY

Have you heard this quote? All children are gifted. Some just open their presents earlier than others. Most of the assessments that are done in schools COMPARE children to a norm. There are special things about each child, and that’s why I liked this idea so much.

Interest Inventory
In addition to saving writing samples and self portraits in a “portfolio” each month, have children complete an “interest inventory” by filling in sentences similar to the ones below: 
     I am good at______.
     I like to _____.
     I want to work on _____.
     My favorite book is _____.
     I wish _____.
                       
Hint! Younger children could just dictate their responses to an adult.

*Wouldn't this be good to share at parent conferences?  It would also be a good springboard for student led conferences.

Criss Cross Nursery Rhymes 
This activity combines two of my favorite things – nursery rhymes and crossing the midline. Wouldn’t this be a great brain break for any age?
You can adapt all nursery rhymes can to these movements:
     Jack (extend right arm)
     And Jill (extend left arm)
     Went up (right hand on left shoulder)
     A hill (left hand on right shoulder)
     To fetch (right hand on right hip)
     A pail (left hand on left him)
     Of Wa- (right hand on left knee)

     Ter (left hand on right knee)

     (Clap Hands!)
     Jack (extend right arm)
     Fell down (extend left arm)
     And broke (right hand on left shoulder)
     His crown (left hand on right shoulder)
     And Jill (right hand on right hip)
     Came (left hand on left hip)
     Tumbling (right hand on left knee)
     After (left hand on right knee)
     YEAH! (Thumbs up!)

Touch and Count
Touch different body parts as you count by tens. For example, touch your head as you count 1-9. Touch your shoulders as you count 10-19. Then touch your knees as you count 20-29, and so forth.

Vinny Vertical and Harry Horizontal  (Amy Freund)
Can you tell which one is Vinny Vertical and which one is Harry Horizontal?
       Money Signs
Reinforce coin value by adapting “high five.”

“high penny” – children touch pointer fingers in air
“high five” – children open palms and touch five fingers
“high dime” – children open both hands and touch ten fingers with their partner

Sticky Notes
Use sticky notes to encourage writing and reinforce functional print. “Get a sticky note and write it down so you don’t forget.” “Put a sticky note on your desk about riding home with your aunt.” “Put a sticky note in the book when you find the solution.” Hint! Many
times doctors or dentists have sticky notes from pharmaceutical companies that they will be glad to share with you.

Serious Science
Add a silly pair of glasses (Groucho Marx with a mustache or seasonal glasses available at dollar stores) to your science center. When children do experiments they get to put on the glasses.
                                                  
Dialog Bubbles
The speech bubbles used in cartoons are interesting for children to write in. Ask children to draw their picture and make bubbles saying their favorite word or phrase. You can also cut giant bubbles out of poster board and laminate them. Children can write on these with an erasable marker.

Row with Vowels
Sing the vowels to the tune of “Row Your Boat.”
     A E I O U
     A E I O U
     A E I O U
     A E I O U – and sometimes “Y”. (Put hands in the air and shake.)

DISTURBED! DO NOT TEST!

I don't know about you, but I'm over academics. It's summertime and I just want to PLAY!  I was looking back at some ideas teachers had shared with me several years ago and I thought, "Hey, that's a good idea. I'd forgotten about that!" So, join me for a trip down memory lane this coming week. I can (almost) promise you that you'll find one great idea every day to put in your toolbox for the upcoming school year.

Testing: Do Not Disturb
One teacher told me she made a sign that said “Testing! Do Not Disturb” and put it on her door when she didn’t want any visitors to see how much fun her class was having. Another teacher told me she wrote: “Disturbed! Do Not Test!” and put it on her door!
                                     
Take a Picture  (Brenda Lee)
Use this strategy to help children remember letters, numerals, or sight words.
Focus your camera. (Look at the first letter.)
Focus your camera. (Look at the word.)
Focus your camera. (Look at each letter.)
Snap the picture. (Each child’s camera button is on their head.)
Now it is filed away in your brain.
You can close your eyes and see the picture.
              

Listening Chant (Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know it”)
If you’re listening to me do like this- (make a face for
children to imitate). 

If you’re listening to me do like this-(make another silly motion for children to copy). 

If you’re listening to me, if you’re listening to me, if you’re
listening to me- (line up, get ready for a story, get out your books, or whatever you want them to do).

Presents 
Next time you go to a conference and buy a new book, CD, or game for your class, wrap it up like a present. Children can guess what is inside and then open it. It will make the new learning tool more meaningful, especially for children who never have had anyone bring them a gift.
                         Pat on the Back
At the end of each day choose one child and trace around her hand. Let her choose 4 friends to say something nice about her. Write the friends’ compliments on four fingers. Then the teacher writes his compliment on the thumb. Pin to the child’s back to wear home.
                                                             
ARF – “All Request Friday”
A teacher was tired of the children choosing the same songs to sing each day, so she started ARF – “All Request Friday.” On Friday afternoon she gets out her little puppet and says, “This is WRBS - Rockbridge School from Lincoln, TN, and it’s “All Request Friday. Let’s see who’s on the line with their request.” (Puppet picks a child who suggests a song.)

Push the Wall
One teacher’s occupational therapist suggested that when children are waiting in the hall you tell them to put their hands on the wall and try to “push it down.” This builds upper body strength, releases energy, and focuses children’s attention.

Tummy Reading
Here’s another easy suggestion to help children build upper body strength. Let them do “tummy reading.” Children lay on their tummies and prop themselves up with their elbows as they read. Try it and see how it strengthens those arm and shoulder muscles.