Summer is a heck of a time to come up with things to blog about. So, I have decided to start a special series – MOVE IT MONDAYS. Each week I will showcase a little something I have done in my classroom to get my kiddos up, moving, and learning.
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| Thanks to the 3AM Teacher for her fantastic frame and Miss Tiina Fonts for the lettering! |
Since I started teaching 6 years ago, I have always been all about finding ways to my kids involved and active while they are learning. Now, there are times that I do want them sitting and working . . . that’s real life after all. However, I like to break it up when I can. Not only does it help with behavior management (they typically buy-in to these ditties hook, line, and sinker), but it also gets those little bodies to be active in some way. So . . . here’s what I’ve got for you.
SHE JUST ATE AN EIGHT
When I taught Kinder the year before last, I wanted to come up with different ways for my kiddos to practice counting and their overall number formation. I quickly learned (make that VERY QUICKLY) that you had better hit ’em hard with something “out of the box” to help keep their attention during those first few months. Therefore, She Just Ate an Eight was born.
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| This kiddo found such delight in things. I miss her. Notice she just put a 6 in his mouth . . . she got to come back and try it again 🙂 |
To prep for this activity, stuff a class set of bags with number cards 1-8. I liked using brown paper bags so they couldn’t see the numbers. You also need some sort of big-mouthed cut out. Look at my downright hideous artwork above . . . good LORD . . . I tried. (Obviously, mine was a dude at this time, but the cute graphic I found to use on the new and much cuter worksheet is a girl.) His face was drawn out on poster board, cut out, and mounted on foam board. Then, I cut out the mouth using a straight razor to create an U-G-L-Y carnival-like game board.
When you are ready to play, give everyone a bag of number cards, a worksheet, and something to write with (I let them use pens as a treat). On your go . . .
- Kids pull one number out of their bag, match it to the correct line on their worksheet and start tracing.
- When they finish tracing they write their very best version of that number on the line next to their tracing.
- This routine continues until and 8 is drawn.
- When a student selects and 8, he/she gets to run up to the board and feed it through the mouth prior to tracing (I also let them yell, “HE JUST ATE AN EIGHT,” but this is your call).
As you can see this is just glorified number identification and handwriting practice. But, add the little extra element of getting to jump up and presto-chango . . . it’s a game!
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| CLICK HERE to get the worksheet! Thank you Miss Tiina Fonts and Scrappin’ Doodles! License # TPT52127 |
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| CLICK HERE to get the number cards! |
That’s it for today my friends. What do you think of this series? Is it something that you will look for? I am hoping to host a linky party in a few Mondays surrounding this topic. So, be thinking of something fun that you might want to share with us!
Look at the time . . . YIKES. I have to go jump in the shower so that I am presentable for my dentist appointment . . . blaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh. Bummer for sure!! I am much more creative when I am stinky and haven’t showered 🙂 Thanks for visiting. I’ll see you tomorrow!
Brain gurus say that movement helps memory. It's good for the brain. 🙂
❀ Tammy
Forever in First
I want to go back to school and be in YOUR class! Your ideas (including this one) are so fun and creative. Thanks for sharing.
What a great, fun way to practice numbers…I love it!
Shawna
The Picture Book Teacher's Edition
I love, love using PE to mix in core content and do it all the time.
Yearn to Learn Blog
This is a great idea for a series! I am constantly looking for new ways to get my kids up and moving!
Jenn
Finally in First
LOVE this!! How fun!!!! Going to add this to my to-do list for the summer!!
Kathleen
Growing Kinders
I am so honored that you stopped in for a little visit!!! I LOVE your stuff 🙂 See you in Vegas my bloggy friend.
Love this idea! I can always use more ideas for ways to my students up and moving.
_Chrissy
First Grade Found Me
Thanks so much you guys! Check back next week . . . I have movement activities for numbers 3 and 4 that I am going to throw out as freebies 🙂
What a very cute game!
Great idea Kelley. I love finding new ideas like this that are beneficial in more ways than one for the students 🙂
Heidi
My (Not So) Elementary Life
I love this series idea! I spent all day at a MAP testing conference and found it so hard to sit for that long. I kept thinking about my students and promising myself that I would find more ways to get them up and moving next year. Then I click on your blog and read about your new series…perfect timing!
Delighted in Second
Hey there! I love the He Ate an Eight game! My second graders could easily do this when playing a place value bundle game, and feed him each time they ended up with an eight in a specific place value spot. And the football facts obstacle course is a must for me to do next year. I've been wanting to incorporate more kinesthetic opportunities for my class, so this is perfect.