Eastern Washington University
Fuzzy Friend is a stuffed animal of any sort that will remain on a different student’s desk every day. Students will decide at the end of each day which student was helpful, friendly, giving, respectful, etc. will get the fuzzy friend to sit on their desk the next day.
I wanted to include more ways for students to share their thinking, other than think-pair-share. Having students talk in pairs is great to share their knowledge, but sometimes in a kindergarten classroom, students can get distracted and off topic when sharing with their friend. With whisper in hand, students can share their understanding, by whispering the answer in their hand, and then releasing the answer.
When students are absent, another student is the “Well Wisher”. The student will color a picture and write a note to the student absent, reminding them we missed them at school.
This tool is a call and response. The teacher calls out “Boomer” and the Students yell back “Sooner” while stopping side conversation and facing the teacher.
Brain breaks are a very useful and help tool to use managing a classroom. Student of all ages are not made to sit in a classroom all day without a break. Allowing and offering brain breaks to students will benefit their education positively.
Similar to Silent Hand or Quiet Coyote already listed on this website, Silent Light is another attention-getter technique to quickly transition, or bring the noise level down when the classroom becomes too loud. Turn the silent light on when attention is needed and listen as your students begin to settle down once they notice the light is on.
This is a promise that is made up of students’ expectations for their classroom. This promise really creates the classroom climate that not only they teach would like, the students as well!
Mystery Motivator is a reinforcement strategy that uses anticipation and surprise to motivate students to engage in the desired behavior. This strategy can be implemented with and individual student or the entire class.
Doorbell rings/sounds are used as a signal for classroom transitions. The doorbell is soft on the ears and simple. This will let students know it is time to transition in small groups, whole group, or partner work.
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