MOVE IT MONDAYS - CLASSROOM MOVEMENT SERIES

Summer is a heck of a time to come up with things to blog about.  So, I have decided to start a special series - MOVE IT MONDAYS.  Each week I will showcase a little something I have done in my classroom to get my kiddos up, moving, and learning.  

Thanks to the 3AM Teacher for her fantastic frame and
Miss Tiina Fonts for the lettering!

Since I started teaching 6 years ago, I have always been all about finding ways to my kids involved and active while they are learning.  Now, there are times that I do want them sitting and working . . . that's real life after all.  However, I like to break it up when I can.  Not only does it help with behavior management (they typically buy-in to these ditties hook, line, and sinker), but it also gets those little bodies to be active in some way.  So . . . here's what I've got for you.

SHE JUST ATE AN EIGHT

When I taught Kinder the year before last, I wanted to come up with different ways for my kiddos to practice counting and their overall number formation.  I quickly learned (make that VERY QUICKLY)  that you had better hit 'em hard with something "out of the box" to help keep their attention during those first few months.  Therefore, She Just Ate an Eight was born.  

This kiddo found such delight in things.  I miss her.
Notice she just put a 6 in his mouth . . . she got to come back and try it again :)

To prep for this activity, stuff a class set of bags with number cards 1-8.  I liked using brown paper bags so they couldn't see the numbers.  You also need some sort of big-mouthed cut out.  Look at my downright hideous artwork above . . . good LORD . . . I tried. (Obviously, mine was a dude at this time, but the cute graphic I found to use on the new and much cuter worksheet is a girl.)  His face was drawn out on poster board, cut out, and mounted on foam board.  Then, I cut out the mouth using a straight razor to create an U-G-L-Y carnival-like game board.

When you are ready to play, give everyone a bag of number cards, a worksheet, and something to write with (I let them use pens as a treat).  On your go . . . 

1. Kids pull one number out of their bag, match it to the correct line on their worksheet and start tracing.  
2. When they finish tracing they write their very best version of that number on the line next to their tracing.
3. This routine continues until and 8 is drawn.  
4. When a student selects and 8, he/she gets to run up to the board and feed it through the mouth prior to tracing (I also let them yell, "HE JUST ATE AN EIGHT," but this is your call).

As you can see this is just glorified number identification and handwriting practice.  But, add the little extra element of getting to jump up and presto-chango . . . it's a game!  

CLICK HERE to get the worksheet!
Thank you Miss Tiina Fonts and Scrappin' Doodles!
License # TPT52127

CLICK HERE to get the number cards!

That's it for today my friends.  What do you think of this series?  Is it something that you will look for?  I am hoping to host a linky party in a few Mondays surrounding this topic.  So, be thinking of something fun that you might want to share with us!  

Look at the time . . . YIKES.  I have to go jump in the shower so that I am presentable for my dentist appointment . . . blaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh.  Bummer for sure!!  I am much more creative when I am stinky and haven't showered :) Thanks for visiting.  I'll see you tomorrow!