It's the beginning of a new school year. You're excited about your incoming class and have all kinds of plans for starting the year off right. Just one thing stands in the way: a few weeks in, standardized testing looms.
When I was a physical education teacher, I was always on the lookout for fun, cooperative games for my youngest students.
Our parents were right: Going out to play is good for children’s minds and bodies. But many children no longer spend much time playing outside. On the home front, they’re often engaged in after-school activities. Parents may also limit or eliminate outdoor play because they’re working or worried about safety. At school, many administrators respond to intense academic demands by cutting recess.
Sarah was under the classroom work table again. "Sarah, now is the time for writing. You need to come out and start your work in your writing folder." I used my best teacher language, even though it hadn't worked with Sarah so far. She often shut down while the rest of her classmates transitioned to a new activity, and coaxing her to join the group rarely helped.
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. (This, and the other energizers in this series, are from Energizers!
