TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY IS COMING!

Aarr!  Yep!  There’s actually a “Talk Like a Pirate” day and it is officially September 19.  I wrote a blog about it last year, but I’ve added a few more activities for this year.  Even at my age it’s exciting to learn something new!  I’ll bet you’ll learn a thing or two if you take a look. 

Why?  According to the founders of Talk Like a Pirate Day, “Silliness is the holiday’s best selling point.  And it’s fun!”  There are many troubles and a great deal of seriousness in the adult world, but the classroom needs a little fun as well.  Although a week from Thursday is the official day, I wanted to share a few ideas with you early so you could include them in your lesson plans.  (You’ll even notice that I integrated some Common Core Standards!)

Pirate Read – Reread poems and big books by talking out of the side of your mouth like a pirate.

Pirate Song – Tune:  “Yankee Doodle”

                        I’m a pirate.  That I be!

                        I sail my ship upon the sea.

                        I stay up late – til half past three.

                        And have a peg below my knee.

                        Yo ho ho ho

                        Let’s sail away

                        Aarrr!  Matey!  Is what I say.

                        A treasure I will hide today

                        And walk the plank another day.

Note!  I adapted this song from one posted on talklikeapirateday.com

Creative Writing – What would you do if you were a pirate?  Where would sail on a pirate ship?  What would you like to find in a treasure chest?

Pirate Cheer – Put one hand over your eye to make a patch.  Talk out of the side of your mouth as you say, “Aarr!  Way to go, matey!”

Parrot Cheer – Put your hands in your armpits to make wings and then flap them as you squawk, “You did a good job!  You did a good job!”

Pirate Maps – Cut the bottom off lunch bags and then cut down one side and you’ll have a big rectangle.  Children can draw a treasure map with markers or crayons.  Squash up the paper and roll it around in your hands to give it a vintage look.

*Older children could write stories about their treasure hunt on the back of the map.  Younger children could dictate a story.

*Add a compass map and introduce North, South, East, and West.

*Have children make maps of the playground.

Mustache – Cut mustaches out of construction paper and tape them under your nose.   (This would just be optional, but what little kid wouldn’t want a mustache?)

Eye Patch – Cut an oblong shape out of construction paper, fold it in half, and glue it over a 30 piece of string. 

 

Hook – Cut hooks out of cardboard and let children cover them with aluminum foil.  Insert the end of the hook in a cup you can insert over your hand.

Hunting for Coins – Write letters of the alphabet on poker chips with a permanent marker.  (You can buy poker chips at most dollar stores.)  Hide these on the playground or in the classroom.  When children find the coins they can name the letter or think of a word that starts with that sound.

(You could also write numerals, math facts, or words on the poker chips.)

Vocabulary – Introduce pirate vocabulary that you can actually use in the classroom on September 19th.

                        Ahoy = hello

                        Avast = stop and pay attention

                        Matey = friend

                        Disembark = leave

                        Embark = enter, get started

                        Foul = something turned bad

                        Grog = drink

                        Weigh anchor = prepare to leave

                        Aye = yes

                        Nay = no

Parts of a Ship – Relate these to places in the classroom with labels.

                        Starboard = right

                        Port = left

                        Stern = back

                        Bow = front

Pirate Flags – Let children design their own pirate flags.  These can be done with crayons on paper, or, better yet, cut an old sheet into rectangles children can draw on with markers.

Sharing the Booty - Cut pirate chests out of construction paper and write numerals on them.  Let children use the poker chips to make appropriate sets or do addition and subtraction problems.

Walk the Plank – Children can practice balancing by walking forwards and backwards on the plank.  (To make a plank put a piece of masking tape on the floor or draw a plank outside on the sidewalk with chalk.)

 

Pirate Snack – How about some fish crackers in an ice cream cone?  After they eat the crackers they can eat the cone.

*You could also serve oyster crackers, Pirate Booty, or grog (juice).

Board Game – Let children create their own board game with a treasure at the end.  There are many free game images like this one on the internet.

Do I love my job or what?  Arrgghh, matie!

SIGNING STANDARDS - YES WE CAN!

We are on the same team!  We are all trying to figure out how to make the Common Core State Standards more meaningful and engaging for children!  And we can do this, yes we can!   I often tell teachers that I am not your meat and potatoes – I’m your condiment.  I’m your salt, sugar, and spice to help your standards taste better!  And sign language might just be that spice to help those skills go down. 

R.L.4 – Teach the sign for “understand” (wiggle index finger by brain) and “don’t understand” (shake head as you wiggle finger) so children can let you know if they don’t know a word.

R.L.5  - Introduce signs for fact, fiction, poem, etc. 

R.L.6 – Make signs for author, illustrator, and title as you begin to read a book.

R.I.10 – Engage children to make connections with text with “schema.”  Open hands for the book, hook index fingers to make the connection, and then touch your brain.

R.F.1 d  - Learn manual signs to help children remember letters. 

R.F.3 a – Make signs for letters as you sing alphabet songs such as “Alphardy,”  “Who Let the Letters Out?” or “I’ve Got the Whole Alphabet in My Hand.”

R.F.3 c – Teach signs for word wall words.

S.L.1 a – Introduce the sign for “me too”  (thumb and pinky up and point to self) so children can learn to listen and wait their turn.

S.L. 3 – Ask and answer questions.  Make a “C” if they have a comment.  Make a question mark in the air if they have a question.

L.1 d  - Teach signs for question words: who, what, where, when, why, how.

L.1 e – Learn signs for prepositions.

L.2 d – Spell simple words - Make manual signs for letters as children write them down.

L.4 a – Introduce different signs for words with multiple meanings. 

L. 6  - Sign phrases in daily conversations.  (Please, thank you, excuse me, help, etc.)

Math

Counting and Cardinality

Learn to count manually.

Operations

Teach children signs for =, <, >, +, -.

Measurement & Data

Use signs for comparing objects.

Geometry

Introduce signs for basic shapes.

Use signs to describe positional words.

P.S.  I know many of you have other ideas you could add to this list, so please send them my way and I’ll pass them along on my blog.

THE POWER OF SIGN!

You know I LOVE sign language!  I’m certainly no expert, but if I can do it, anybody can do it.  

Let me give you a few reasons why I’m such a believer in the power of SIGN:

1. It’s quiet.
2. It’s multi-sensory.
3. It’s engaging.  (All I have to do is sing a song in sign language and I have children’s undivided attention.)
4. It’s good for differentiated instruction and for children who are non-English speakers.
5. It’s free and it’s simple.
6. It’s a great learning tool for teaching letters, high frequency words, vocabulary, etc.
7. It’s like bubblegum.  Bubblegum?  Yep!  We need to figure out how to stick things in the brain, and sign language can provide that connection.
8. Sign language can be a powerful tool for classroom management.
9. Sign language can be a strategy to teach children how to communicate with friends and work through conflicts.
10. Sign language can be a creative vehicle for reinforcing Common Core Standards.

If you search “sign language” on my blog you will find several past posts with ideas.  I frequently recommend these sites for learning sign language:

aslpro.com  (Click on “dictionary” to see video clips of signs.)

handspeak.com

lifeprint.com

Here are some great signs for classroom management to start your school year.  I’d explain to the class that you are going to teach them a new language called “sign language.”  It’s a special language for people who can’t hear because you talk with your hands.  I’d suggest introducing one new sign each day.  Encourage the children to model what you do when you make the sign.  In a few weeks, you’ll be amazed at how the volume in your classroom has been turned down.

Pay Attention   (Palms pointing towards face and shake back and forth.)

Stand Up  (Two fingers standing on palm and then point up.)

Sit Down  (Two fingers sitting on 2 fingers of other hand and point down.)

Walk  (Walk fingers.)

Line Up  (Fingers up with right pinky and left thumb touching.)

Bathroom  (Make “t” and wiggle.)

Water (Make “w” with fingers and place near your mouth.)

More    (Fingertips touching.)

Wonderful  (Palms open facing out and move down and then up.)

I love you!   (Fingers up with middle finger and ring finger bent down.)

Look!  Listen!  Learn  (“L” by eyes, ears, and then brain.)

Finished  (Brush hands away from chest.)

Here are some other signs that Liz Watras shared last January in Ohio to help children work through conflicts:  

Ask  (Palms together bring to your chest as if praying.)

Help  (Make a fist with one hand and place it on the open palm of the other hand. 

Bring both up in the air at the same time.)

Stop  (One palm open.  Pretend to chop it with the other palm.)

Trade  (Hold one hand in front of the other. Switch places and then switch places again.)

Wait  (Hold hands up and off to the side and wiggle the fingers.)

Yes  (Make an “s” with your fist and raise and lower it like your head.)

No  (Middle and index finger straight and close toward the thumb.)

Share  (Open palm and tap thumb on open palm of the other hand.)

Include  (Pretend to grab something in the air and put it in the other hand.)

Please  (One palm open on chest and make a circular motion.)

Thank you (Touch fingertips on chin and extend out.)

Sorry   (Make fist and rub on chest in circular motion.)

Excuse me  (One palm up and brush fingertips of other hand across.) 

And, excuse me, but this has nothing to do with sign language!  I had coffee with a friend and she suggested taking a photo of your driver's license to have as a back-up on your phone in case of an emergency.  I think it's a great idea, don't you?  (And you'll never know how much I weigh!!!!)

I'm packing for my trip to Merced, CA, tomorrow and I can't wait!  What an adventure!  I've got a blog for you each day so stay tuned!

PLEASE DON'T YELL!

I wonder if teachers realize how “yelling” or using a harsh voice really impacts students.  You could technically be a master teacher, but if you “yell” it certainly chips away at the positive image.  I was chatting with K.J. about school and teachers for the upcoming year.  His entire selection process was based on who “yelled.”  He wanted a certain teacher because, “He never yells.”  He didn’t want another teacher because “She yells all the time.” 

Of course, we all have times when we lose our cool and use a loud voice.  I know anyone who reads this blog is a super teacher, but we are also human.  I have a blog called “Shhhh!” in the archives that you might want to revisit.  Here are a few other tricks to keep up your sleeve as the school year begins.

If You’re Ready to Get Started (Leigh Ann Towater)

(Tune:  “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)

If you’re ready to get started say, I AM!  (Children say, “I am!”)

If you’re ready to get started say, I AM!  (Children say, “I am!”)

If you say that you’re not,

You’re going to miss out on a lot.

If you’re ready to get started say, I AM!  (Children say, “I am!)

Echo Chant  (Martha Edwards)

1, 2  (Students repeat each line.)

3, 4 

We’re not talking.

Anymore!

5, 6

7, 8

Standing quietly  (or lining up or sitting down, etc.)

Would be great.

9, 10

Let’s begin!

Hand Poem  (Barb Williams)

Hands up high.            (Hands in the air.)

Hands down low.            (Hands down.)

Hide those hands, now.   (Hands behind your back.)

Where did they go?    (Shrug shoulders.)

One hand up.              (Right hand up.)

The other hand, too.   (Left hand up.)

Clap them,            (Clap.)

Fold them,    (Fold in lap.)

Now we’re through!

*If children are wiggling their hands, ask them to please talk to their hands and tell them to be quiet.

Class Callbacks (Sara Quinn)

Teacher says:  Hands on top.  (Students put their hands on their heads.)

Students say:  That means stop!

Teacher says: Holy Moly!

Students say: Guacamole!

Teacher says: All set?

Students say: You bet!

*You can go on all day with callbacks.  Marco - Polo; Peanut Butter - jelly;  Criss cross – sit like a boss, etc.

Looking!

I am looking.

What do I see?

I see (student, class) sitting (standing, whatever you need)

Properly.

Hint!  Lower your voice each time you say this until children are quiet.

Hallway Trick  (Meghan Boyle)

Before going in the hallway say, “Hands on your hips.  Smile on your lips.”

Hallway Tip  (Stacey Keller)

“Zip” – pretend to zip your lips.

“Flip” – fold arms across your chest.

“We’re ready for the hallway trip.”

Self Control  (Becky Gilsdorf)

Use this visual cue to help children who are out of control.

Cross hands over your chest.  (Self)

Slide both hands down the sides of your body.  (Control)

As the child repeats the movements silently it will calm them down.

Hallway Hug (Jodi Spakes)

When children see friends in the hall teach them to do the hallway hug. 

You  (Hold up index finger.)

Me  (Hold up middle finger.)

Hello (Cross middle and index finger and wiggle.)

Air Hug  (Mary Katherine Ellis)

Open your arms as if giving a huge hug in the air.

*This is good for when students see a friend in the hall.

*This is also good when someone comes in or leaves the classroom and the kids want to jump up and give them a hug.

Problem Resolution (Carrie Thouvenot)

After students resolve a problem they can follow this routine:

            1^st - Fist bump

            2^nd - Hand shake

            3^rd - High five

            4^th - Hug

            5^th - Walk away happy!

Mirror Talk

If children talk ugly to a friend, then tell them to go talk like that in the mirror and see how it feels.

You Know What to Do

Several years ago I heard an interview on NPR with the Teacher of the Year.  She said, “When a child is misbehaving, I stand next to her and quietly say, ‘You know what to do.’”  Physical proximity – just getting close – can be a powerful tool. 

Humor

A friend who teaches 3^rd grade said, “I’ll stand next to the child who is misbehaving and say, ‘Am I going to have to kiss you or what?’”  Instead of escalating the problem they end up laughing.  Now, that won’t work with a 5 year old, but sometimes humor can be magic.

Hint!  Run off these ideas and glue them to index cards.  Keep them in your pocket or tape them to a classroom wall for a quick reminder.

P.S.  K.J.'s first day of school was yesterday and he was sooo excited!!!  Every time his class is "good" they get a letter to spell out "recess."  When they spell out the word they get an extra recess.  If they get 25 recesses they get to shave the teacher's head at the end of the year.  You would think the teacher had promised them a trip to Disney World!  This is a reminder to look at the world through children's eyes.  We may believe that reading, writing, and math are what school is all about, but they view things differently.  Those 3rd graders are going to work together to do this, they are going to develop the executive function, and they are going to have FUN!!!  It's the little things in life, isn't it?

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?

This is a repeat of a blog I did last year.  You can never get too much of a good thing!!!

If you are a college football fan like we are, this is an exciting time of year.  Football gives us a distraction from the economy, storms, wars, and woes of the world.  It gives us something to cheer for and look forward to each weekend.   Football can also be a “kick off” for teaching some skills in your classroom.

College Goals – It’s never too early to plant seeds of attending college in your students.  Give them a dream and a goal!  One school I visited displayed pennants of the schools where the teachers graduated from in the front hall.  Have the children brainstorm all the colleges and universities in your area.  Talk about why it is important to go to college.  Encourage your students to think about where they would like to go to college.  Give them paper shaped like pennants to decorate with their college dream.

 

Math – Let children do surveys of favorite college teams.

Graph favorite teams.

Predict who will win the game.  Who was right?  Who was wrong?

Predict what the score will be.  Who was closest?

Let children choose a favorite player and write their number on a jersey.  How many math facts can they think of to equal that number?

Social Studies – Use a map of the United States and locate where games will be played.

Internet Search – Look up team mascots and colors.  Listen to college fight songs.  Do exercises to fight songs.

Art – Cut pictures of players out of the newspaper or sports magazines.  Challenge children to write creative stories about favorite players.  They could also write letters to favorite players.

Guest Readers – Invite a local high school football team and cheerleading squad to visit your school to read books.  There’s nothing more motivating to a young child than to see someone in a uniform model how “cool” it is to read!

Team Mascots

This game can be adapted to any school mascot, action hero, or seasonal character.  Since I graduated from the University of Georgia, UGA was my first choice.  This is a quick, simple game that can be played with any age level or any skill that needs to be reinforced.  It’s the perfect game if you’ve got a few minutes before lunch or a few minutes at the end of the day.
WHY?         shapes, colors, letters, words, numerals, math facts, etc.
WHAT?       flash cards, picture of a favorite school mascot
HOW?         Have children sit in a circle and encourage them to identify the

information on the flash cards as you place them on the floor.  Tell the children to turn around and hide their eyes.  Take “UGA” and slip it under one of the flash cards.  The children turn back around and raise their hand if they think they know where UGA is hiding.  One at a time, have children call out a word, letter, shape, etc., and then look under that card.  The game continues until a child finds UGA.  That child may then be “it” and hide the mascot.

*Use a pocket chart to play this game.  Arrange the flash cards in the pocket chart and then hide the mascot under one of the cards as the children hide their eyes.

 

More?              Make a concentration game using various college mascots.

Make a matching game where children match mascots to college names.

What characteristics do you need to dress up and be a school mascot?

Have children write which mascot they would like to be and why.

LETTER FRIENDS AND AWESOME ALPHABET SONGS

Happy Labor Day!  Time to put away those white shoes and get out those sweaters!

It’s also time to check out my September, 2013, website that’s full of ideas for alphabet knowledge and singing sounds.  You’ll find a letter wand, letter tree, game patterns, and over 100 activities to help your children make letter friends. You’re also going to LOVE the free “Letter Tales” song and book!  Here are some ways you can use it in your classroom.

*Glue the title page to the front of a pocket folder.  Insert the other pages in clear sheet protectors and put them in the folder. 

*Sing the song as you show the illustrations to the children.  Go back and look at each animal and see if the children can identify what it is from the tail.  (In case you get stuck, N is for nanny goat and W is for worm.)

*Brainstorm other animals that start with each sound.

*Place the book and song in the listening center.

*Older children could make their own “Letter Tales” book.  Assign each child a letter.  Brainstorm how they could find an animal that starts with their letter.  (They could look in the dictionary, library, internet, ask a friend, etc.)  After they choose an animal they can illustrate the tail.  Put their pictures together to make a book.

REKENREK??? WHAT'S THAT?

Rekenrek comes from the Netherlands and is basically an arithmetic (or calculating) rack.  It’s a visual way for children to develop a strong sense of 5 and 10.  Children can use the rekenrek to count, add, or decompose numbers.  Smaller versions of the rekenrek have two rows of ten beads.  Five red beads and five white beads.  (Versions for older students have more rows.)  You can purchase these or make your own as shown from fun foam or cardboard, pipe cleaners, and pony tail beads.  One advantage making these for your class is that all the children can be engaged at the same time.

Children always move their beads to the right or “start position” to begin.  As they work they move the beads to the left or “action zone.”  “Reset” reminds them to return the beads to the start position.

Counting and Cardinality

Say a number or hold up a numeral card.  Children slide beads to show the amount.  Touch the beads and count.
Tens and Ones
Slide over the top row.  That's ten.  Call out other numbers between 10-20 for the children to demonstrate.

Addition and Subtraction

*If I had 4 cookies and I ate one how many would I have left?  Show me.

*If I had 5 stuffed animals and I got 2 more for my birthday, how many would I have?  Can you show me?

Decomposing Numbers

*Show me how to make 7.  Can you show me another way?  Who can make 7 another way?

What is one more?  One less?

Here is a very good YouTube video on introducing the rekenrek:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4m6soJDVq8

Here is a free booklet that you can download that aligns activities to the Common Core:

http://catalog.mathlearningcenter.org/files/pdfs/URVM_1012.pdf

There is also a free "Number Rack" app that you can download.

Counting Bracelet

A simple version for the beginning of the school year might be a counting bracelet.  Simply string 10 beads (5 of two different colors) on a pipe cleaner.  Twist the ends to make a bracelet.  Children can slide the beads to make sets, add, subtract, etc.