100th DAY CELEBRATION

Whether your 100th day of school is near or far, you can use these ideas to celebrate the special day.

100 Days  (Tune: "When Johnny Comes Marching Home")
We’ve been in school 100 days. (Children stand and march.)
Hoorah! Hoorah! (Fist in air as if cheering.)
We’ve worked and played 100 days.
Hoorah! Hoorah!
Zero is our Hero today.
Now let’s all count to celebrate!
We’ve been in school 100 days,
And it’s been great!

1, 2, 3,…..100! (Hold up fingers as you count.)
Hoorah!

*Here are two books that you can download at drjean.org.
    

100 Exercise

Do ten sets of the following exercises: toe touches, jumping jacks, arm circles, hops (on one foot), waist twists, squats, scissor jumps, hops (on the other foot), jog (in place), windmills. 

*"Pump Up to 100" and "Macarena Count to 100" are two youtube videos where children can exercise and count!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqqqcA9lBvw

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

$100 Book

Make an enlarged copy of the front and back of a $100 bill.  Cut paper the size of the bill and staple it between the front and the back to make a book. Let children draw pictures or write stories of what they would do if they had $100.

                                

Note! I’ve been told that it is illegal to copy US money unless you enlarge or decrease the size and cross through the face. (Hopefully, I wont go to jail for doing this!)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1SnEagA4jljZFRwZVE1bjU3OGM/view?usp=sharing

Cover Up

Make 2 copies of a 100 grid.  Cut up one set and put the numbers in a zip bag. Children can play this game by themselves or with a partner. Give them a 3 minute timer and challenge them to cover up as many spaces as they can in the time limit. Have them record the amount and try to beat their score each time they play.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1SnEagA4jljRzl0OXhXYUZ3dkU/view?usp=sharing
Hint! Adapt this game for younger children by giving them a grid with 10 or 25 spaces.
*Use the grid to practice writing numbers.
*Use the grid for graphing or for making patterns.
*Color even numbers one color and odd numbers another color.

Buzz 

All children stand. Go around the room and have each child say a number. When they get to a set of ten they must say “buzz.” If they don’t say “buzz” they are out of the game and must sit down. The game continues until there is one person left or you reach 100.

100 Day Book

Fold 5 sheets of paper in half and staple. Children draw sets of ten on each page.

100 Bottles 

Have each child take an empty plastic water bottle and fill it with 100 items.

100 Art

Cut a “1” and two “0’s” out of construction paper. Children glue them on a sheet of paper to create a “critter.” They can decorate it with crayons, markers, or paint.

100 Snack

Children count out ten each of each snack food (such as Cheerios, pretzels, Gold Fish, raisins, m&m’s, miniature marshmallows, cheese crackers, wheat squares, rice chex, peanuts, etc.) and put them in a zip bag. Shake and eat.
*Adapt to the dietary needs of your class.

Math Challenge
How many ways can you think of to make 100? Children could do this independently or with a partner.

STAND UP FOR DR. KING

Dr. King’s birthday is just around the corner. Here’s a song my daughter Holly wrote that I am so proud of. The meaning of the song and the vocabulary you can teach are powerful! 

Stand Up For Martin Luther King – 3rd Monday in January
(Tune: “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean”)
Dr. King stood up for justice. (Stand and sway
He stood up for equality, too. back and forth.)
Dr. King stood up for children.
He stood up for me and for you. (Point to self and then others.)
So now we…
Stand up, stand up, (March in place to the beat.)
Stand up for Martin Luther King.
Stand up, stand up,
Stand up for Dr. King.

Dr. King wanted all of America (Sway back and forth.)
To be tolerant, fair, and free.
He stood up for what he believed in.
He stood up for you and for me. (Point to self and the others.)
So now we…

Dr King taught us all to be dreamers (Sway back and forth.)
So one day the world could begin
To judge people based on their character
And not on the color of their skin.
So now we… (March in place.)
*Download this book to go with the song at drjean.org.
MLK and KWL 

Check out books from your school library on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Put them in your class library and ask the children to see what they can find out about Dr. King. Use a KWL chart to begin your discussion. K – What do they already know about Dr. King? W – What do they want to learn about him? L – After reading books about Dr. King, add the new information the children have learned.

Heroes

Martin Luther King was a hero. Make a list of other people that the children consider to be heroes. What character traits does a hero have? Ask children to write stories about what kind of hero they would like be when they grow up. 

                                  

Vocabulary

Brainstorm words that describe Dr. King and other heroes. Let each child choose a word, write it on an index card, hole punch the corners, and wear it as a necklace. Why did they choose that word? What can they do to demonstrate that word?

*You could also let them make crowns and write positive characteristics on them.

Acts of Kindness

Get a spiral notebook and write “Acts of Kindness” on it. Encourage the children to record kind deeds their classmates do for them. Read over the book at the end of each day to encourage more positive behavior.

I Have a Dream

Dr. King had a dream, and it’s important for everyone to have dreams. Cut clouds out of white sheets of paper and have children draw or write about their dreams. Encourage them to share their dreams with classmates and display on a bulletin board or make a class book.

                                     

MY BONNIE BOUNCE

Have you got the back to school blues? Maybe this video will give you and your students something to smile about.
                             
Warning! One teacher said her kids loved it so much they kept begging to do it over and over. She said she could hardly walk up the stairs when she got home!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ONWTT-JFu8

My Bonnie Bounce (Tune: “My Bonnie Lies over the Ocean”)
We’re going to sing a song you all know called “My Bonnie Lies over the Ocean” except every time we come to a word that starts with the /b/ sound we are going to stand up or sit down.
My Bonnie (Stand up.)
Lies over the ocean.
My Bonnie (Sit down.)
Lies over the sea.
My Bonnie (Stand up.)
Lies over the ocean.
Oh, bring (Sit down.)
Back (Stand up.)
My Bonnie (Sit down.)
To me.
Bring (Stand up.)
Back (Sit down.)
Bring (Stand up.)
Back (Sit down.)
Oh, bring (Stand up.)
Back (Sit down.)
My Bonnie (Stand up.)
To me, to me.
Bring (Sit down.)
Back (Stand up.)
Bring (Sit down.)
Back (Stand up.)
Oh, bring (Sit down.)
Back (Stand up.)
My Bonnie to me. (Sit down.)

A little faster…
Super fast…

Alliteration
Play other alliteration games where children jump up, hop, squat or do other movements when you say a word that starts with a particular sound.
*Have children listen for similar sounds in “Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater,” “If Peter Pipe Pecked a Peck,” and other rhymes.

Name Games
Think of an adjective for the beginning sound in each child’s name. For example: Sunny Sarah, Laughing Leon, or Helpful Hannah.

Days of the Week
Think of an adjective each day of the week. For example: Marvelous Monday, Terrific Tuesday, etc.

Sound Substitution
Substitute the beginning sound in children’s names when you sing the “Happy Birthday” song. On Tasha’s birthday it would be:
Tappy tirthday to tu…

JUMP UP, TURN AROUND, CROSS THE MIDLINE

It’s the second day of the New Year, and I bet you’re working on lesson plans. It’s important to activate both sides of the brain by crossing from left to right and right to left. Here’s a video that’s great to start your day or when the children get a little restless.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slVzDBKyxIo 
                                 
Jump Up, Turn around, Cross the Midline
Jump up, turn around, cross the midline, (Jump, turn, stretch arms left.)
Jump up, turn around, cross it every day. (Jump, turn, stretch arms right.)
Jump up, turn around, cross the midline,
Jump up, turn around, let’s see how many ways.
Bend low and pick that bean. (Bend down to the left with right hand.)
Bend low and pick that pea. (Bend down to the right with left hand.)
Bend low and pick that berry.
Bend low and get that squash for me.
Jump up stretch and pick that apple. (High to the left with right hand.)
Jump up stretch and pick that pear. (High to the right with left hand.)
Jump up stretch and pick that cherry.
Jump up and get that orange over there.
Now dig a hole with the shovel, (Pretend to hold shovel to left.)
Now weed a row with the hoe, (Pretend to dig on the right.)
Get that ax and chop those vines down, (Chop left to right.)
Lift that ax and chop to and fro. (Chop right to left.)
Grab a cart and let’s go shopping. (Pretend to hold a grocery cart and reach
Reach to the left and fill up your cart. right hand to left.)
Reach to the right and get some more things. (Reach left hand to right.)
Left, right, left, right, into the cart.
Use both hands and pull that boat in. (Pull from left to right.)
Use both hands and hoist that sail. (Pull from right to left.)
Now climb up with the ladder. (Pretend to climb a ladder.)
Get in the boat before it sails.
Make lazy eights with your right hand. (Make “8” laying down.)
Make lazy eights with your left hand, too.
Wave so long with your right hand. (Big wave in front of body.)
Left hand waves good-bye to you, too.

Cross Lateral Connections
Have children put their two fists together to make their “brain.” Explain that both sides of the brain have to work together. Draw an imaginary line down the middle of your body. That’s the midline. Crossing over that imaginary line builds bridges in their brain. Put a piece of masking tape or painter’s tape down their bodies so they can visually see how they cross the midline when they sing the song.

Brain Hug
Demonstrate how children can “hug their brain” and cross the midline.
1. Thumbs up – Extend arms and stick up thumbs in front of you.
2. Cross arms
3. Clasp fingers
4. Bring fists down and up to hug chest

You’re the Best 

Here’s a simpler version of a brain hug just right for the younger students. Ask the students to repeat each line as you demonstrate.
1. Thumbs up.
2. Across the chest.
3. Pat on the back.
4. Cause you’re the BEST!

Streamers
Make rainbow wands to use for cross lateral activities by taping tissue paper streamers to a craft stick. Put on some music and have children follow along as you make different movements.
                                       

SPORTS AROUND THE YEAR

Happy New Year!  I've got four "happies" (new videos) that will have your students moving and learning in the new year.
                                    
Let’s get the year started by acting out sports we can do each month.

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

Sports Around the Year
January, let’s all skate – (Slide feet from side to side with big steps.)
Slipping, sliding, feeling great.
In February, grab your skis (Squat and swing arms from left to right.)
Down the mountain, fast and free.
In March we’ll do some hoops (Pretend to dribble a ball and then shoot.)
Basketball dribble, shoot, and loop.
In April let’s do track and field (Run in place and jump.)
Running, jumping down the field.

Chorus:
Biking, dancing, playing ball (Do jumping jacks, march, or
Winter, spring, summer, fall. a dance step.)
Staying fit and staying strong.
Playing sports all year long!

In May we’ll kick and punt the ball (Right foot kicks to the left
Playing soccer, one and all. and then left foot kicks to the right.)
In June baseball is so much fun (Pretend to swing a bat.)
Pitching, batting in the sun.
In July we’ll swim in the pool (Swim forwards, backwards, sidestroke.)
Backstroke, sidestroke, feeling cool.
In August we’ll all be gymnasts (Balance on right foot and lean forwards.)
Balancing, tumbling on the mats. (Balance on left foot and lean forwards.)

Chorus

September, now it’s football time: (Feet out and run in place.)
Down, set, hut on the scrimmage line.
October’s great for cheerleading, (Hands in air and jump up and down.)
Cheering on our favorite team.
November: let’s karate chop! (Pretend to chop right and then left.)
Kick and block – now don’t you stop!
December, swing your hockey stick- (Pretend to skate and swing a stick.)
Hit that puck, we never miss!

Chorus

Sports Day
Liven up a boring winter day with “sports day.” Invite children to wear clothing from their favorite sport or team.

Pantomime
Let children take turns pantomiming different sports as their friends try to guess.

Sportsmanship
Discuss what it means to be a “good sport.” Role-play being a good loser and a good winner.

Equipment
Encourage children to bring equipment from sports they like to play. Write down the names of the equipment on the board and use for a writing activity.
                                        
Graph
Make a graph of their favorite sport or sports team.

College Days
Talk about where you went to college and why it is important to go to college. Let each child make a pennant of the college they would like to attend. Use the pennants to decorate your classroom.