American Idol

The season is over, but you can have your own "American Idol" in your classroom.  If you have a few extra minutes at the end of the day or if you need a little time to get organized, choose a child to be the "American Idol."  That child selects a song and then leads the class as they sing along.

I love what I saw on a T-shirt:  "Teachers are the REAL American Idols"!

Little Spider

After reading CHARLOTTE'S WEB, who wouldn't love spiders?  I saw one this morning and she was  working so hard on her web I couldn't knock it down.   We'll just have to go in and out another door.  Here's a spider finger for today!

LITTLE SPIDER

In the garden tucked away                  (Cup right hand over index finger on left hand.)
Little spider weaved all day.               (Wiggle left index finger up and down.)
Round and round she spun her web.  (Roll hands over one another in a circular motion.)
Silky soft she made her bed.               (Lay left index finger on open right palm.)
Evening sequins it with dew.              (Make rain with fingers.)
Sleep tight until the night is through.   (Close eyes and place head on palms.)

Love It Cheer!

Here's a new cheer.  Pass it on!  The world needs as much love as it can get!

Love It Cheer

Make a heart with your hands (index fingers touching at the top and thumbs at the bottom) and extend from your heart.

Monster Cookies

My grandson K.J. is visiting this week and he always likes to make Monster Cookies.  This recipe makes a TON, so we always freeze several bags to take to neighbors and share with friends.  The peanut butter and oatmeal offer a little food value to these treats!

MONSTER COOKIES
2 cups white sugar
2 teaspoons soda
1 pound brown sugar
6 eggs
1 1/2 pounds peanut butter
9 cups oatmeal
1/2 pound M & M's
1/2 pound chocolate chips
1/2 tablespoon vanilla

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes.
Hint!  Chill dough for 30 minutes before baking.

Swimming!

Swimming

(Sailing, Sailing over the Bounding Maine)

Swimming, swimming, in the swimming pool.        (Pretend to swim.)

When days are hot or days are cold,                        (Fan self and then shiver.)

In the swimming pool.                                             (Make a square in the air.)

Back stroke, side stroke, fancy diving, too.             (Swim backwards, sideways, and then dive.)

There’s no place I would rather be                          (Shake head “no.”)

Than in the swimming pool.                                    (Make a square in the air.)

Sing softer each time until you are humming the words.

Baseball Game

Take me out to the ball game.
Take me out to the crowd...

Your baseball fans are sure to love this game!   Cut 30 5" circles out of white poster board.  Use a red crayon to lightly draw the stitching on each ball.  On three balls write "OUT."  On three balls write "HOME RUN!"  On the other 24 balls write letters, numerals, words, math facts, or other information that you want your students to practice with a black marker.  Children stand and face the pitcher/teacher.  The teacher shuffles up the baseballs and then holds up one at a time for each child to identify.  (If the child doesn't know the information she can phone a friend or ask the crowd for help.)  If "OUT" comes up that child must sit down.  If "HOME RUN" comes up the class jumps up and down and cheers.  When all the balls have been used the teacher shuffles them up and the game continues.

Good News!

Start each morning by asking every child  to share one good thing using a complete sentence.  The teacher who gave me this tip said at the beginning of the year children struggle with this.  She’ll prompt them to think about all the things they have to be grateful for by saying, “Do you have on shoes?  Well, that’s a good thing.”  "Did you eat breakfast this morning?  That's a good thing."   She said by the end of the year they tend to go on and on so she has to limit them to ONE sentence.

Here's another positive way to start the day:

Teacher says:  BOYS AND GIRLS, WHAT IS MY JOB TODAY?

Children respond:  YOUR JOB IS TO TEACH US AND TO LOVE US.

Teacher says:  BOYS AND GIRLS, WHAT IS YOUR JOB TODAY?

Children respond:  OUR JOB IS TO LEARN AND TO LOVE EACH OTHER.