For so many teachers and students, returning after winter break can feel like the first day of school all over again. The routines, rules, and procedures that were once so Read More »
Continue Reading
SEP
23
2021
Peanut Butter, Grape Jelly Song
As seen in The First Six Weeks of School, 2nd edition! “Peanut Butter, Grape Jelly” Peanut butter, grape jelly, peanut butter, jam Peanut butter, grape jelly, peanut butter, jam Read More…
Continue Reading
Continue Reading
MAR
07
2017
Spring Rejuvenation
No matter what the weather is like where you are, it can be challenging for both students and teachers to maintain enthusiasm at this point in the school year. The beginning-of-school energy…
Continue Reading
Continue Reading
APR
22
2015
A Teacher Shares
Get Moving! It’s 1:30 in the afternoon, and our class is preparing for language arts block. Recess and lunch seem like hours ago, and we still have an entire content Read More…
Continue Reading
Continue Reading
DEC
10
2014
Keep Your Class Moving!
It's 1:30 in the afternoon, and our class is preparing for language arts block. Recess and lunch seem like hours ago, and we still have an entire content area left to teach.…
Continue Reading
Continue Reading
MAR
21
2013
Challenges Are Fun!
Recently I've been thinking about how enthusiastically the students in my class take on challenges, and how challenging them has helped us build a more positive community and made learning more fun…
Continue Reading
Continue Reading
MAR
07
2013
Who Needs Extra Movement Breaks?
Scanning around our Morning Meeting circle, I noticed that students' eyes were riveted on the sharer—all except for Justin, a child with a high need for sensory input and physical movement. Justin…
Continue Reading
Continue Reading
MAY
04
2011
Fish Gobbler
“Little fish, little fish, swim out to sea,” I shout from the center of the field to the mass of students poised at one end line. From the center line, I watch…
Continue Reading
Continue Reading
FEB
01
2011
What are some quick, fun class celebrations?
Here are two of their ideas:Give This Group a HandStudents stand in a circle and chant:We’re gonna give . . . this . . . group a hand. We’re gonna give this…
Continue Reading
Continue Reading
NOV
01
2010
Make Learning a Moving Experience
So you want to reduce the amount of time that your students are required to sit and to give them more chances to move. Could you build more movement into your lessons?Here's…
Continue Reading
Continue Reading
OCT
27
2010
Move Around the Room
What are strategies for helping students be more physically active during the day, and how do we keep control of the group if they're sitting less and moving more?
Continue Reading
Continue Reading
MAR
23
2010
Energizers! Energizing with the Dinosaurs
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, Read More…
Continue Reading
Continue Reading
MAR
15
2010
Energizers! Spelling Stroll
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…
Continue Reading
Continue Reading
MAR
08
2010
Energizers! A follow-the-leader activity for all ages
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…
Continue Reading
Continue Reading
MAR
02
2010
An Energizer with an Academic Twist
“Interruptions” gets 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 Read More…
Continue Reading
Continue Reading
FEB
24
2010
Energizers! Double This Double That
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…
Continue Reading
Continue Reading
FEB
16
2010
Energizers! Tips for Using Energizers
Last week, I encouraged you to work energizers—quick breaks that get children moving, breathing, and having fun together—into your classroom day. Energizers are great ways to get children refreshed and refocused on…
Continue Reading
Continue Reading
FEB
09
2010
Energizers! Using Quick Movement Breaks in the Classroom
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…
Continue Reading
Continue Reading
JAN
13
2010
Cooperative Games for Younger Students
When I was a physical education teacher, I was always on the lookout for fun, cooperative games for my youngest students.
Continue Reading
Continue Reading
OCT
28
2009
“Magic Box” Activity
Yesterday somebody who'd read Margaret Wilson's post, "Handling Halloween High Spirits" asked "What's the 'Magic Box' activity she refers to?" I wasn't familiar with that one either. Since Margaret is presenting at…
Continue Reading
Continue Reading
OCT
14
2009
Here’s an Idea! Songs in Other Languages
Singing a familiar tune or chant in another language can enliven a Morning Meeting, be a fun energizer, and help meet the needs of the growing number of second language learners in…
Continue Reading
Continue Reading
SEP
18
2009
Energizers! — Shark Attack
Last spring, an intrepid group of Northeast Foundation for Children staff members, including several Responsive bloggers, volunteered to demonstrate a few of the activities in Energizers! 88 Quick Movement Activities Read More…
Continue Reading
Continue Reading
FEB
01
2009
Quick & Lively Energizers
You know it instinctively, you see it every day in your classroom, and brain research supports it: Children learn better when we give them mental and physical breaks from intensive instruction. Just…
Continue Reading
Continue Reading
FEB
01
2008
What do you do when you need to bring students’ energy level up—or down?
A: When my students need a change of pace we'll often play a few rounds of "Spelling Around the World." They love this fast-paced game, which reinforces spelling and vocabulary words and…
Continue Reading
Continue Reading
NOV
01
2006
Cooperative Games Children Love
Question: What's one way you've refashioned a competitive game to make it more cooperative and still fun?
Continue Reading
Continue Reading
NOV
01
2002
Singing with Children
I remember singing along with friends in my elementary school days. Teachers and students together began each day with singing. We learned about music from our music teacher, but we sang everywhere,…
Continue Reading
Continue Reading
FEB
01
2002
Games Kids Love to Play
Do you remember the playground on a bright spring day, flinging off your coat in a mad dash for the monkey bars or choosing up teams for a fast game of dodgeball?…
Continue Reading
Continue Reading
Current Category
Other Categories
Building Classroom Community
Building Schoolwide Community
Bullying
Challenging Behaviors
Classroom Organization
Classroom Rules
Conversation Skills
Empathy
Encouragement
Engaging Academics
Family Connections
Language Arts
Misbehavior
Movement
Professional Community
Professional Development
Sharing
Working with Families