What's the world coming to when teachers need permission to use my songs and videos in their classrooms??? I am HONORED when teachers want to share my materials with their children. If your district wants "permission" here you go!!!

PRE-WRITING STROKES

We are putting THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE when it comes to having children write. Believe it or not, we didn't even teach children to write in kindergarten in the "old days." Lined paper and handwriting were part of the first grade curriculum. Children's hands and small motor skills haven't changed, but our expectations certainly have!!

There are several basic strokes that children need to draw before expecting them to make a letter or number. In order of development, the strokes are a vertical line, a horizontal line, a circle, a cross, a square, a diagonal line, an X, and a triangle. Here are some multi-sensory materials where children can experiment and practice making the pre-writing strokes.

Sensory Tub
Fill the bottom of a plastic tub with sand, rice, salt, grits, or another sensory material. Encourage children to make the strokes in the tub.

*Squirt shaving cream on a laminated table top or lunchroom tray. After free exploration, encourage children to practice making strokes.

Play Dough Book
Use file folders to make this book. On one file folder write “Can you make lines?” and draw lines. On another folder write, “Can you make curves?” and draw curves.

Write “Can you make shapes?” on another file folder. Make other objects and shapes for children to reproduce on additional folders. Laminate. Hole punch and bind the folders with book rings.

*Let children use play dough, Wikki Stix, and other materials to reproduce lines, curves, and shapes.

Connect the Dots
Use a marker to make dotted strokes. Put a drop of glue on top of each dot. Dry. Children trace over the dots of glue with their finger. 

Hint! Make the first dot green and the last dot red to indicate where to start and stop.

Plastic Needlepoint Canvas
This plastic material that looks like screen can be purchased at most craft stores.

Place a piece of paper on top and then make strokes and shapes with a crayon. Press firmly for best results. Trace over with your finger.

Rainbow Writing
Make strokes with a black marker. Children take different colors or crayons or markers and trace in multiple colors.

• Make giant pre-writing strokes on chart paper and tape to a wall. Encourage children to work together to make “rainbows” from the shapes.

Sidewalk Chalk
Provide children with chalk so they can practice strokes, shapes, and letters on paved surfaces.

Flashlight
Turn off the lights, give children a flashlight, and let them make shapes and letters on the wall.

READY TO WRITE ANYTIME!

My Dear Friends,

I get shaky and queasy just thinking about what all of you are going through now.  "No singing in kindergarten" was the straw that broke this camel's back!

We WILL figure this out and things are GOING TO GET BETTER!  In the meantime, on my blog this week I thought it might be helpful to focus on basic skills (pencil grip, cutting, glueing, etc.) that could help those of you who are doing in class teaching, those of you who are doing distance instruction, and everyone in between.  I think these strategies could also be meaningful if shared with your parents. 

One day at a time...You know I love you and your sweet children!

Dr. Jean

READY TO WRITE!

It's important to encourage children to use the correct pencil grip when they begin to write. Here are tips for teachers and parents in class, online, anytime!!!

Silly Band
Give children a silly band (or rubber band) to go around their wrist. Pick up your pencil and then slip the end of the silly band around the pencil. Explain when you go in the car you wear your seat belt, and when you write you need to put a seat belt around your pencil. Then you’ll have mom and dad in the front seat and the kids in the back seat!

Pompom
Place a pompom or cotton ball in a child's hand. Demonstrate how to put pinky and ring man to “sleep” on the pompom before picking up the pencil.


Writing Bracelet
String a bead or jingle bell to a piece of yarn or string to make a bracelet. Make it loose enough so it can slide easily on and off a child’s wrist. While writing the child wears the bracelet and holds the bead in her hand.

Bird’s Beak
Point the pencil away from you. Make a bird’s beak by opening and closing your index finger and thumb. Use your beak to pick up the point of the pencil and then flip it back.

Pencil Grip(Melissa Connelly)
Teach children to hold their crayon or pencil correctly with this trick.

Draw a smiley face on their hand as shown. When they use their pincer fingers their hand will always be smiling at them.

Pencil Grip Song (Tune: “Where Is Thumbkin?”)
Where is Pointer?
On the top.
Ready to write.
Start at the top.
Where is Thumbkin?
On the side.
Ready to help
Your pencil glide.
Where is Tallman?
On the bottom.
Keeps the letters
Where you want ‘em

Want a free download of this song. Here you go!

http://www.drjean.org/html/monthly_act/act_2017/08_Aug_css/index.html

GETTING TO KNOW MY NEW FRIENDS

This book is perfect for helping children recognize their names and create friendships online or in class. You will need a photograph of each child, construction paper, book rings, and markers. Glue each child’s photo on a page. Write “Hello, (child’s name).” at the top of the page. Punch holes in the pages and put them together with book rings. (If you bind the book on the bottom it will be easy to turn the pages as you hold it in your lap.)

Note!  Ask parents to send in a picture of their child or you can just take one from the screen.

*You can also sing and read this book to the tune of “Good Night, Ladies.”
Hello, (child’s name).
Hello, (child’s name).
Hello, (child’s name).
We're glad you're in our room.


Who Do You See?
We all know wonderful Bill Martin’s “Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see?” Your children will love saying and “reading” this version with you. Put each child’s photo on a page with this chant at the top:

(Child’s name), (child’s name), who do you see?
On the bottom of the page write:
I see (second child’s) name looking at me.
On the last add the teacher’s photo with this rhyme:
Children, children, who do you see?
I see (teacher’s name) looking at me.
(Teacher’s name), (teacher’s name), who do you see?
I see happy children ready to learn with me!

The Name of My School
Help children get to know the name of their teacher, school, principal, and other school helpers with this book.  Glue pictures to construction paper and write a verse similar to those below on each page. Sing the words to the tune of “The Wheels on the Bus.”

The name of my school is (school’s name),
school’s name), (school’s name).
The name of my school is (school’s name).
That’s the name of my school.

The name of my teacher is (teacher’s name), (teacher’s name),
(teacher’s name)…

The name of my principal is…
The name of my librarian is…
The name of my P.E. teacher is…

GETTING TO KNOW YOU!

It’s often been said that, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care!” That is particularly true with children and their parents!  I shared the brochure below at some "online" back to school workshops that I did.  Several teachers sent messages asking for more details, so here you go!

Brochure 

Make a brochure about yourself, your school, and fun activities you have planned for the year and mail it to the children before school begins. To make a brochure, fold a sheet of paper into thirds. On the front section write “Welcome to your name’s Classroom Family!” On the left section place a picture of yourself and write some personal information about your family, pets, experience, etc. On the inside write “We’ll have a great year together…" list all the fun activities with pictures.

*I think an emoji paper doll teacher would be a big hit as well.  

Note!  That Dr. Jean doesn't have any wrinkles!!!

Tell Me About Your Child

Give parents an envelope and ask them to write you a letter about their child.  What a simple way to encourage parents to share special information and show how much you care!

WHAT DID YOU DO AT ONLINE SCHOOL TODAY?

Several years ago I wrote a poem called “What’s in Your Backpack?” It was meant to help parents understand how children learn through ACTIVE learning and PLAY.

I shared similar thoughts about how children learn through singing, dancing, finger plays, etc. at my recent “Dr. Jean’s Toolbox for the Virtual Classroom.” A teacher questioned, “But how do you help parents realize the value in these things?” Great question, so here’s an adaptation for distance learning.


WHAT DID YOU DO AT ONLINE SCHOOL TODAY?

What did you do
at school today?
Where are your worksheets?
Did you just play?

I sang a song with
Alphabet letters.
Those sounds will help
me read much better.

I counted and did some
Math facts, too.
I used my brain
Like a math whiz would do!

We I played a game
Called “I spy a shape.”
I found shapes in my room
It was great.

Story time is what
I always like best.
I can use my imagination
And give my body a rest.

My fingers got a workout
With finger plays.
Those same small muscles
Will help me write one day.

I sang and danced,
Laughed with friends, too.
I learned to take turns
And say “please” and “thank you.”

There will be time
For worksheets and tests,
But talking and playing
Is how I learn best.

I love to go to school!
Active learning for me!
I look, listen, and learn.
I’m glad to be me!
                                                     

https://teacher-toni-9ea4.mykajabi.com/humanside 

ATTENTION GRABBERS IN SPANISH!

I am so excited to share these Spanish translations of some of my "Transition Tips and Tricks" with you.  Thank you, thank you, Claudia Hernandez of the Garland ISD!  

TRANSLATIONS BY CLAUDIA HERNANDEZ                                                        

 

  

ATTENTION, PLEASE!

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.”)

 

Tootsie Roll

Tootsie roll,                               (Roll hands around each other.)

Chupete.                                 (Pretend to lick a lollipop.)

Hemos estado hablando        (Open and shut fingers.)

¡Ahora detengámonos!          (Make sign language sign for “stop.”)

 

Hocus Pocus

Teacher says:  

“Hocus Pocus!”                      (Stick out index finger and circle around like a magic wand.) 

Children respond:  

“Everybody focus!”              (Children make circles with fingers and thumbs and place

                                                   around eyes like spectacles.)

Hocus Pocus

Teacher says:  

“Hocus Pocus!”                      (Stick out index finger and circle around like a magic wand.) 

Children respond:  

“Todos concentrados!”         (Children make circles with fingers and thumbs and place

                                                   around eyes like spectacles.)

 

H-A-P-P-Y

Teacher says:              Is everybody happy?

Children repeat:          Yes, ma’m.  H –a- p – p – y.  Happy!  (Clap on letters.)

F-E-L-I-C-E-S

Teacher says:              ¿Están todos felices?

Children repeat:          Si, maestra.  F-e- l- I -c- e -s.  Felices!  (Clap on letters.) 

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.)

 

Give Me a Clap (Tune:  “Addams Family”)

Aplaudamos              (Clap twice.)

aplaudamos               (Clap twice.)

aplaudamos, aplaudamos,

aplaudamos.  (Clap twice.)

Tronemos los dedos.                (Snap twice)

Tronemos los dedos.                (Snap twice)

Dobla tus manos y ahora bájalas

En tu regazo.                           (Model putting your hands in your lap).

 

Sit Down Chant

Clap your hands.         (Clap 3 times slowly.)

Stomp your feet.         (Stomp slowly 3 times.)

Put your bottom

in your seat!

 

Sit Down Chant

Aplaude.                     (Clap 3 times slowly.)

Marchando.                (Stomp slowly 3 times.)

Siéntate

en tu lugar!

 

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 because my teacher believes in me!”

 

How Does My Teacher Feel About Me?

Teacher says:                              “¿Qué piensa mi maestra de mí?”

Children respond:                       ¡Soy más especial de lo que especial puede ser,

                                                      porque mi maestro cree en mí!"

 

Hands on Top

Teacher says:              Hands on top.  (Place hands on head.)

Students respond:       Everybody stop.  (Place hands on head and freeze.)

 

Hands on Top

Teacher says:              Manos arriba (Place hands on head.)

Students respond:       Todos paramos. (Place hands on head and freeze.)

 

Criss Cross

Criss cross,                               (Sit on floor and cross legs.)

Be your own boss.                   (Fold your arms and nod head.)

 

Criss Cross

Cruza tus piernas.        (Sit on floor and cross legs.)

Tu estás a cargo!        (Fold your arms and nod head.)

 

Sitting Chant

1, 2, 3, 4  -  glue your bottoms to the floor.

5, 6, 7, 8  - hands to yourself and sit up straight.

 

Sitting Chant

1, 2, 3, 4  -  siéntate en el piso.

5, 6, 7, 8  - manos en tus piernas y sentado derechito.

 

I Think I Can

This is a great song to sing to encourage children to always give it a try.  It goes to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It.”

I think I can are words I like to say.

I think I can are words I like to say.

In time I’ll get it right if I try with all my might.

I think I can are words I like to say.

“Creo que puedo” son palabras que me gusta decir.

“Creo que puedo” son palabras que me gusta decir.

Con el tiempo lo haré bien, si lo intento y me esfuerzo.

“Creo que puedo” son palabras que me gusta decir.