If you’ve been to my workshops, you know I often use paper plates instead of flashcards. I do it because paper plates are cheap and durable, but someone recently reinforced this idea. She said she learned in a brain workshop that round is better because it focuses the eyes on the information in the middle, rather than the sharp points at the edges. You learn something new every day, don’t you? (Click photo for larger image.)

Encourage your students to problem solve and take responsibility with this idea. When there is a problem in your room (such as a center not cleaned up, trash on the floor, etc.) simply say, “Mmmmm? We have a mystery in our classroom. I wonder who can help us solve it?”

Cut a pair of lips out of paper and cut a hole out of the center as shown. Children can use this to focus on words, letters, etc. They can also use it to kiss their brains! (Click photo for larger image.)

Thanks once again to Sandy Elsasser for making this book that goes with “My Mother Is a Baker.” Click here to download this book. (Word format, 265 K)