Ideas & inspiration from the developers of the Responsive Classroom approach
From the category archives:
I wrote last week about things you can do to ease classroom stress during testing and other high-anxiety times. Here are three more tips for keeping the atmosphere of your classroom calm and productive! [...]
Continue reading “Classroom Tension Tamers: 3 More Ideas to Use Now!”
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… When we asked Responsive Classroom fans on Facebook if they’d like to read about strategies for relieving testing stress, many said, “Yes, right away!” So without further ado, here are three things you can do right now to make your classroom a little more relaxed. [...]
Continue reading “Classroom Tension Tamers: Three Ideas to Use Now”
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This clapping chant is fun for K-3 students anytime, but especially when they’re studying dinosaurs! Called “Dino Dinner Chant,” it’s from Energizers! 88 Quick Movement Activities That Refresh and Refocus, by Susan Lattanzi Roser. [...]
Continue reading “Energizing with the Dinosaurs”
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Energizers are usually more about giving children quick movement and breathing breaks than they are about academics. Still, it’s possible to work in a little academic practice, as long as the focus remains on fun, refocusing, and relaxation. The “Spelling Stroll” energizer fits that bill very nicely [...]
Continue reading “Energizers! Spelling Stroll”
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Children of all ages enjoy “Dum Dum Dah Dah.” In this quick movement break, a leader establishes a pattern and the group chants or sings the words as they echo the leader’s actions.
Continue reading “Energizers! A follow-the-leader activity for all ages”
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This energizer called “Interruptions” will get students up and shaking out the cobwebs—while enhancing their listening and literacy skills in a fun way! It’s especially good with K-3 students, but older children may also enjoy it. [...]
Continue reading “Interruptions, One with an Academic Twist”
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Many of us are longing for spring, but it’s still February! It’s a great time to perk up your class with quick energizers sprinkled throughout the day. Here’s one called “Double This Double That”—especially fun for students in grades three through six.
Continue reading “Energizers! Double This Double That”
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Last week, I encouraged you to work energizers—quick breaks that get children moving, breathing, and having fun together—into your classroom day. … Now, for all of you who are getting hooked on using energizers, I thought I’d offer some tips for using them more successfully. [...]
Continue reading “Tips for Using Energizers”
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During the long winter months, when children may experience less physical activity and movement, try sprinkling in some energizers—quick breaks that get children moving, breathing, and having fun together—throughout the day. These much-needed physical and mental breaks can increase children’s motivation for learning, and can also make their learning more productive. [...]
Continue reading Energizers! Using Quick Movement Breaks in the Classroom
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When I was a physical education teacher, I was always on the lookout for fun, cooperative games for my youngest students. I learned from experience that five- and six-year-olds need a great deal of physical activity, and they also have limited attention spans, so it was important to find games that provided opportunities for all children to be actively engaged. … These were some of my all-time favorites: [...]
Continue reading Cooperative Games for Younger Students
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