Elvis Cheer

It's fun to have the crowd cheer for you, especially if you are doing something smart. So if someone in class does exceptional work, shares a correct answer with the class when called upon, or just needs some praise, we cheer for them. The Elvis cheer goes like this:

You lift up your collar, bend one knee, stick your hands out with one or two fingers pointing, scrunch the upper lip, and say, "Thank you. Thank you very much." If we really want to show our enthusiasm for the exceptional work, we shake, shake, shake that leg, and move those hips while repeating, "Uh, thank you very much, uh huh huh, thank you very much."

Now that's FUN! Don't tell anyone.

Super-Advantage Songtime: Rooster

Every Thursday we have Song Time. We sit on the carpet, sing fun songs, songs with motions, play rhythm instruments, and have an all around, academic, good time. Patricia DeCorsey, coordinator of Lawrence University's Early Childhood Music Program in Appleton says, "By introducing children to music, so many areas of the brain benefit at the same time, like the mathematical and language centers. It's really a super-advantage." That's why we sing this song:

Now that's FUN! Don't tell anyone.

The Page Turner

The triangle is a tool we use in class for turning pages. It's a classroom job and a highly sought after job to boot. The person with the page turner job simply hits the triangle once when it is time to turn the page. This is a high skill job because not only do you have to know when to turn the page, but you have to have a knowledge of sound waves and how to let the triangle resonate throughout the room. When we reach the final page, the page turner gives the "call to dinner" sound. Now that's FUN! Don't tell anyone.

The Lone Ranger

On occasion one student will stand out for doing something great that nobody else in the class is doing. The person may be the sole student with an answer, to follow directions, turn in an assignment on time, or correctly. The student may just be the only one smiling or singing along, helping others in a quiet way, or have a clean desk. The idea is that sometimes students stand alone at doing great, but simple, things. We recognize them as the Lone Rangers of the room. When such classroom heroism is observed, the Lone Ranger lunchbox, inside which little treasures can be found, is unceremoniously passed to the student and they receive their "reward for helping the Sheriff restore order once again to our quiet little town."

Now that's FUN! Don't tell anyone.

S.U.F.R.: Blender Ballers

S.U.F.R.: Blender Ballers: One blending activity we do is called Blender Ballers. Given a word like rim, students get set for the free throw. With each bounce the...

Blender Ballers

BALL IN!!!!!!!!

           One blending activity we do is called Blender Ballers. Given a word like rim, students get set for the free throw. With each bounce they say a sound. Rim would require three bounces. We may repeat if the whole group isn't ready for the shot. After our bounces, we take a shot. When the shot goes up, we blend the sounds together and say "rim". The coach then encourages them with positive affirmations such as: "nice shot!", "swish!", "ball in!", or "that's a three-pointer!".

      The ballers are then given a chance to win the game with a free-throw. Individual ballers are asked to step up to the line. Given a word like cat, they take their bounces, say each sound in cat with each bounce, then say the word. If they get it right they get to take their shot at the regulation hoop(see picture). The whole class puts up their magic fingers(hands up, palms out, wiggling fingers) to will the ball in the basket. If the baller is successful everyone motions a shot and yells, "BALL IN!". When a shot is missed, we say, "OH!, Soooooo close!". Now that's FUN! Don't tell anyone.

Morning Song:Garza Lions

Every morning, after the flag salute and the class theme, we sing the morning song. One morning song favorite is the Garza Lions. We give it the old college "rah, rah, rah" in the middle, and we've added a coda to recognize some of those little lions who are present that day. We also sing about those who are absent. the "Garza kitties". The best is when we have 100% attendance and get to sing, "everybody is here today, hooray!". Now that's FUN! Don't tell anyone.

Everybody Wants to Rule the World!

We were writing "All About Me" stories as a get to know you activity. One of the topics is what you want to be when you grow up. Several boys want to be soldiers. When one boy heard that the other wanted to be a soldier he asked, "Do you want to be a good soldier or a bad soldier?" The other boy replied, "A good one." "Me too!" replied the first emphatically. Lots of girls want to be teachers. One cute little girl said she wanted to be a good mom.I don't think there's anything better, except maybe a great mom. One boy, who arrived a week late to school, had not said a word for two days, and had limited participation, came to me with his paper. I asked him what he wrote for what he wants to be when he grows up. He excitedly exclaimed, "A king!" Well, alright. We're going to make this kid King of the First Grade!!!!!

Now that's FUN! Don't tell anyone.

Super-Advantage Song Time:Crazy

Every Thursday we have Song Time. We sit on the carpet, sing fun songs, songs with motions, play rhythm instruments, and have an all around, academic, good time. Patricia DeCorsey, coordinator of Lawrence University's Early Childhood Music Program in Appleton says, "By introducing children to music, so many areas of the brain benefit at the same time, like the mathematical and language centers. It's really a super-advantage." That's why we sing this song:





I don't care if I go crazy 1 2 3 4 5 6 switch
Crazy go I if care don't I 6 5 4 3 2 1 switch


Now that's FUN! Don't tell anyone.