KINDERGARTEN DAY

Today is "Kindergarten Day" in honor of Friedrich Froebel who started the first kindergarten in Germany in 1837. Kindergarten originated to help children adapt to learning and social interactions in a fun way. Froebel believed in self-directed play, singing, dancing, blocks…a “garden” where children could grow! He’d probably roll over in his grave now if he saw what was going on!!

As I write this I am remembering my kindergarten teacher Mrs. Myers. I LOVED her! I mean, I worshipped her! She was a fairy godmother and the center of my world. She seemed ancient to me at the time, but I’m probably way older now than she was when she taught me. Thank goodness for hair dye and make up!!!
                                 

Do you see me?  I'm in the center front with the dress my 

mother made me for my first day of kindergarten.

I remember playing “The Farmer in the Dell” and other circle games. I also remember the finger play “Here are grandma’s glasses…” We had sugar cookies with a hole in the middle that we would put on our finger as we ate and we also had orange kool-aid. (Oh, my goodness! The sugar police would get Mrs. Myers for sure!!!) My favorite activity was painting. I especially liked to paint princesses. Back in those days the only princess I knew about was Cinderella, but I longed to be like her. One day as I was at the easel I painted a stripe down my leg. It looked so good I painted another…and another…and another…until my legs had beautiful stripes all over them. Mrs. Myers could have squelched my creativity right then and there, but she just laughed and said, “Don’t do it again.”

Another memory I have is learning to tie my shoes. I wore corrective saddle oxfords I feared would come untied at school and then what would I do? Everyone would know that I couldn’t tie shoes!!! Well, one day they came untied and Mrs. Myers said, “You’re a smart girl. Now, you just sit down and figure it out.” And you know what? I did!!!! She knew when to coddle and when to push.

And incredible as it may seem, although all I did was PLAY in kindergarten I can actually read and write now!!  I imagine most of the adults running our country, writing curriculum, and running schools actually PLAYED when they were in kindergarten and look at them now.  It would be interesting to ask those who preach "rigor" and "instructional time" and "high test scores" what they remember about being in kindergarten.

We have to remember that we will all grow up one day and sit in front of a computer, but we have one chance in a lifetime to be in kindergarten and hold hands, sing, dance, and PLAY! So shut your door today and "play kindergarten"!
                            

My "kinderoos" in the 1980's.  

I'd love to know where they are now.

If you missed my Facebook Live yesterday here's a link:
http://bit.ly/drjean_HocusPocus

A FEW MORE TRICKS

One of the first things I learned when I did brain research was that the "brain likes novelty."  These are all unique tricks that you can try to grab children's attention.  I bet you'll find at least one or two that will work for you.

Music Box
Play a music box to indicate to the children it’s time to get quiet.
*One teacher said she wound up the music box at the end of the day and challenged the children to get quiet quickly so there would still be music at the end of the day.
                                               

Bubbles
Blow bubbles and see if the children can be sitting quietly before all the bubbles pop.
                     
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.

                                                            

If You Don’t Know What to Do (Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
If you don’t know what to do look at (child doing the correct thing).
If you don’t know what to do look at ---
She will show you what you ought to do

So you can do it, too.

If you don't know what to do look at ---

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.”
                                       
Breath through Your Nose
Challenge the children to practice breathing through their noses. Guess what? You can’t talk of your lips are sealed and you are breathing through your nose! (The teacher who shared this said she could run to the office and back and her kids wouldn’t make a peep!)
       
Peace and Quiet
Make the “peace” sign with one hand as you put the index finger from the other hand on your mouth.

Magic Clap
The teacher begins a clapping pattern which the students try to repeat.

ZYX
Can children sing the alphabet backwards and be sitting quietly by the time you get to A?

CALL BACKS

Call backs are similar to the game “Marco Polo.” The teacher says one thing and the children respond. Call backs work like a charm to focus children’s attention.

Teacher says: Criss cross.
Children respond: Be your own boss. (Cross arms and sit up straight.)

Teacher says: All set? (Snap fingers twice.)
Children respond: You bet! (Snap fingers twice.)
*If they are not ready they respond “not yet.” Keep saying “All set?” until the entire class is responding “You bet!”

Teacher says: Hands on top.
Children respond: Everybody stop! (Put hands on head and freeze.)
       
Teacher says: Macaroni and cheese.
Children respond: Freeze please! (Freeze and look at the teacher.)
                                      
Teacher says: Ready?
Children respond: Spaghetti! (Stand up straight.)

Line Up Tips 
Teacher says: Locket. (Pretend to lock lips.)
Children respond: Pocket. (Pretend to put the key in their pocket.)

Teacher says: Hips (Put one hand on your hip.)
Children respond: And lips. (Put index finger on lips.)

Teacher says: Standing straight?
Children respond: Check!
Teacher says: Hands to self?
Children respond: Check!
Teacher says: Mouth closed?
Children respond: Check!
Teacher says: Ready for the hall?
Children respond: Check!

It’s also fun to play the “Marco Polo” game as you wait for children to get ready to go home, clean the room, and so forth.
              
Teacher: Marco
Children: Polo

Teacher: Okeedookee
Children: Artichokee 

Teacher: Peanut butter
Children: Jelly
                   
Teacher:  Da da da da da...

Children:  I'm loving it!  (MacDonald's advertisement)

*Let the children make up their own call backs.

ON THE WAY TO THE BARN!

Do you know what it means when someone says, “We’re on the way to the barn?” That means you’re almost there…almost home…almost finished with the school year. This is also the time of the year when kids get spring fever and a little restless. I shared these tricks at a recent workshop and a teacher asked if she could buy a book with them. Sorry, you can’t buy a book, but I’ll give them to you FREE. I’ll also do a Facebook Live at Five where I demonstrate these tomorrow afternoon (4/20). 

Hint!  You will notice that I use hand movements in all of these.  I've learned that if I can get children to do something with their hands I have a better chance of engaging them.

Tootsie Roll
Tootsie roll, (Roll hands around each other.)
Lollipop. (Pretend to lick a lollipop.)
We’ve been talking, (Open and shut fingers.)
Now let’s stop! (Make sign language sign for “stop.”)
                                                       
Hocus Pocus
Teacher says:
“Hocus Pocus!” (Stick out index finger and circle around like a wand.)
Children respond:
“Everybody focus!” (Make circles around eyes like spectacles.)
                    
Student Heroes
5-4-3-2-1-zero (Hold up hand and put down one finger at a time.)
I’m looking for my (Make circles with index fingers and thumbs and place
student heroes. around eyes like glasses.)

Give Me a Clap (Tune: “Addams Family”)
Give me a clap. (Clap twice.) Give me a clap. (Clap twice.)
Give me a clap, give me a clap,
Give me a clap. (Clap twice.)
Give me a snap. (Snap twice.) Give me a snap. (Snap twice.)
Now fold your hands and put them down
Into your lap. (Model putting your hands in your lap.)
        
Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Lap  (Tune:  "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes")
Head, shoulders, knees, and lap, (Point to appropriate body part.)
Knees and lap.
Head, shoulders, knees, and lap, (Point to appropriate body part.)
Knees and lap.
Legs are criss-cross applesauce (Cross legs and fold hands.)
And our hands are in our lap, lap, lap
                                              
*Cut the label from a can of applesauce and glue it to a stick. Hold it up when you want your students to sit criss-cross applesauce.

How Does My Teacher Feel about Me?
Teacher says: How does my teacher feel about me?”
Children respond: I’m as special as special can be (Sparkle fingers.)
because my teacher believes in me! (Hug self.)

Secret Signals
Explain that your class will have some secret signals that no one else knows. When you say “one”, they should sit criss cross applesauce.
When you say “two,” they need to put their hands in their lap.
On “three,” they put a smile on their face.
*Make up additional secret numbers, such as “four” stand up straight and “five” hands by sides.

Sitting Chant
1, 2, 3, 4 - glue your bottoms to the floor.
5, 6, 7, 8 - hands to yourself and sit up straight.
                
Hint! Choose one of these attention grabbers and use it consistently for several weeks. That way when the children hear it they will automatically “tune” in.

P.S.  Don't forget about those "oldies but goodies" finger plays.  After all these years I can still engage a group of children with "Miss Molly,"  "King Kong," and "Put the Baby to Bed."

HIGH FIVE DAY

April 16th was National High Five Day, but you can start any day with a high five and a smile!  Wouldn't your kids be surprised if you drew a smile on your hand like this one?

                                  

High Five Cheer
Teach children how to give themselves a “high five” for a job well done. Hold up both palms facing each other in front of your chest. Pretend to wave with one hand as you hold up five fingers on the other hand. “Hi 5!” Get it? 

Pat on the Back
Trace around each child’s hand on construction paper and let them cut it out. Write a positive comment about each child on the hand and tape it to their back at the end of the day. Parents will be proud when they see their child’s “pat on the back.” 


Pickle Tickle Partner Game
Up high. (Give a high five up in the air.) 
Down low. (High five down by knees.) 
Cut the pickle. (One child touches fingertips horizontally as the other child pretends to slice in between.) 
Give a tickle. (Gently tickle each other.)

I CAN LAY HARD BOILED EGGS!

Are you busy dying eggs, hunting eggs, or laying eggs today?  Here's a true story about how I used to lay eggs for my kindergarteners.  

In the old days we had "snack" that we provided.  We tried to encourage the children to try healthy foods and so one day we had hard boiled eggs.  I think the kids groaned when they came in from recess and saw the hard boiled eggs on the table.  While they weren't looking I took an egg, tucked it in my skirt between my legs, sat down on the floor, and started flapping my arms like a chicken as I made a clucking sound.  I released the egg, stood up, and they all thought I'd laid the egg.  They said, "Do it again!  Do it again!"  I explained that I was all worn out from laying their eggs for snack, but the next time we had hard boiled eggs I'd do it again.  Well, guess what?  They wanted hard boiled eggs for snack every day.  As time went on they became much wiser and made me turn around to make sure I didn't have an egg behind me...yes, I became wiser as well...but I can't tell you all my secrets!

                                

Here's another funny story about an egg hunt.  I was visiting a Head Start when a mother brought in a big bag of duck eggs.  They were brown and green and beautiful.  The teacher remarked, "They are still warm.  Wasn't that nice of her to boil them for us?"  Well, the next day the teachers hid the eggs on the playground, but this story doesn't have a happy ending.  Apparently, the eggs were not cooked.  They were just warm from being under the ducks or in the car.  They cracked all over the children, their baskets, their clothes...you get the picture.  

Blessings for a beautiful weekend wherever you are and whatever you are doing!

GREEN TEAM SUPER HEROES

Who wouldn't want to be a super hero on the green team?  How about some membership cards?
                                          
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1SnEagA4jljUFdXTkFpR2ZOUE0/view?usp=sharing

The Green Team (Tune: “When Johnny Comes Marching Home”)
We are on the Green Team. (March in place as you swing your arms.)
Hoorah! Hoorah! (Fist in air as if cheering.)
We can recycle every day. (March in place as you roll your arms around.)
Hoorah! Hoorah! (Fist in air as if cheering.)
Aluminum, glass, tin, (March in place.)
Put paper and cans in recycle bins. (March in place.)
Join the Green Team, (March in place.)
Defend the earth and keep it clean. (Put both fists in the air like a hero.)

We are on the Green Team. Hoorah! Hoorah!
We can reduce what we use. Hoorah! Hoorah!
Turn off water and the lights.
Walk, take a bus, or ride your bike.
Join the Green Team.
Defend the earth and keep it clean.

We are on the Green Team. Hoorah! Hoorah!
We can reuse many things. Hoorah! Hoorah!
Share old toys and old clothes, too.
Give away what you don't use.
Join the Green Team,
Defend the earth and keep it clean.

We are on the Green Team. Hoorah! Hoorah!
We can keep our planet clean. Hoorah! Hoorah!
Pick up all the trash you see.
Protect wildlife and plant new trees.
Join the Green Team.
Defend the earth and keep it clean.

*Make a language experience chart of children’s suggestions for what it means to be on the “Green Team.” Have children dip their thumb in green paint and “sign” it on the list to signify that they are going to join the “Green Team.”
                   
*Walk around the school and encourage the children to draw pictures or write suggestions for conserving energy and making the learning environment “green.” Compile results and ask the principal to visit your class and discuss improvements that can be made.

*Make a naturalist kit by recycling a detergent box or similar container with a handle. Make binoculars by cutting a cardboard paper towel roll in half. Tape the halves together and hole punch at the top. Tie on a piece of string so children can easily take the binoculars on and off their heads. Add a magnifying glass, field guide, tweezers, film canister (for collecting specimens), paper, pencil, etc. Talk about what naturalists do. Can you be a naturalist? Divide children up into groups of two and let them take turns playing “naturalist” on the playground.
                                                        

*Put out scrap materials in the art center and encourage children to make “Green Team” badges. You can also let them decorate sheets of newspaper and staple them around their necks to make “Super Green Hero” capes. Let children dramatize what they would do if they were a “Super Green Hero.”
                                    
Here's a packet Carolyn Kisloski and I created with songs, writing prompts, QR codes, and activities to help your class GO GREEN!
                      https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Going-Green-2636782