Favourite Tips

Take Home Bags

• class made books e.g., “What will I be for Halloween?”
• parent child activities e.g., “Kissing Hand Project, Cheerio Counting Book”

Make enough of these books (class made books) so that at the end of the year each child has a class book to keep.

Star Of The Week

• highlight a certain child each week
• give them a piece of bristol board on Friday and have them display photographs, drawings, etc.
• this can be shared on Monday
• invite a parent, grandparent, etc. to visit the classroom

Have parents bring in a prepaid roll of film to take class pictures. Also have parents donate $1.00 per month for class funds such as baking supplies, class trips and treats.

Art Gallery

• Put up student created name cards and display their artwork above their name.

“Bobby Bear”

Teddy bear goes home with a child each night. He travels with his journal. The child he visits draws a picture and writes a story to share the next day. When Bobby goes into hibernation, the “Surprise Box” goes home. The child puts a mystery object in the box and writes 3 “clues” on top of it. The next day the class tries to guess the object.

Author’s Chair

Wrap some tinsel around a chair so it looks special. Have the students share a book or story they have made, or a story from home.

Circle Time Basket

Put all of the books, props, manipulatives needed for the circle into the basket so they are ready. The children know that the basket is off limits but the materials are usually added to the classroom after both the Monday and Tuesday groups are done with the circle activities.

Singing Songs And Changing the Actions or Voices

Have the children sing some favourite songs using their ‘inside’ voices. They sing the song ‘in their head’ as they do the actions. They love it!

Special Child of the Day

Send out a calendar with a special day marked off for each child. On the special day the student may bring in a snack for the class, wear a head band decorated themselves and bring a special show and tell or book to share. They are the helpers for the day. The day before they receive 4 books from the Wiggleworks program to share with there parents and write in a journal. On their special day, they read their favourite book out of the 4 to share with the class. This is a real self-esteem booster.

Have child volunteers from an older class to make book forms (accordion folded, pop-up or whatever) for K’s to use.

Have parents ‘Sign-up” for play dough. At interview time, have a list of months. Give each family a play dough recipe and let parents choose a convenient month. Remind parents their turn is coming up in the monthly newsletter.

Once a month, make a class book about a topic you’ve been looking at. Laminate, bind and send each book home with your children to read to their parents.

Note/Tote Envelopes

Laminate letter size manila envelopes at the beginning of the year. Print child’s name on it. Everyday the note travels with the child back and forth between home and school. All important information goes into the envelope - book orders, food, money, newsletter, notes, etc. To help the K’s remember to return the envelope, put a sticker on the envelope when it is returned each day.

Treasure Bag (Show and Tell)

Post a list of students names on the wall and indicate which child gets to take the bag home using clothespins. Make 2-4 bags using pillow cases with a drawstring on top. Children may bring 1-3 items to share and talk about.

Water Centre

To avoid having to change the water daily, add some dish detergent on the second day. The children will enjoy the bubbles as well.

Surveys

Put each child’s name on both sides of a clothespin. Ask a yes/no question and put the clothespin on the appropriate side. Discuss and compare results with children.

Add soap to paint to help it come out of clothes easier.

To increase self-help use the ever-popular phrase “Who’s special job is it?”

Don’t run with scissors

Don’t drink the paint water

Don’t eat the glue

In lieu of Christmas gifts - send a note home stating that specific classroom materials would be appreciated.

Funnel Bottles -set for a couple of minutes so students can regulate their own time-out (i.e., when sand is gone the student can return to the activity).