More Camp K Chicago

GOING GREEN IN TENNESSEE
I was fortunate enough to be invited to do a workshop in Wilson County outside of Nashville. The teachers' commitment to children and their enthusiasm to do more than what was expected was heartwarming! I visited Southside Elementary where they gave created some incredible outdoor classrooms and gardens! I could "feel the love" in the math garden, literacy garden, four seasons garden, and butterfly garden. They have provided the children with the opportunity to bond with nature, play, and learn at the same time! Visit wilsoncountyschols.com and click on Southside Elementary to view photos and learn more.

QUIET MAN (Candace Reed)
Make "quiet man" with your fingers by sticking up pinky and pointer and touching thumb, ring man, and tall man. When the teacher holds up "quiet man" the children respond by making "quiet man" and focusing on the teacher.

SECRET MESSAGE IN SIGN. (Melanie Wilkins)
Enlarge sign language letters and attach a magnetic strip to the back of each letter. Write a "secret” message or word each day on the board for the children to decode and write on their morning work.

CIRCLE FLASH CARDS (Carol Blackmon)
Make circle flash cards for each child and store in butter tubs.

KARAOKE KAFE (Pam Stonecipher)
Encourage children to share their stories, journals, and other writings with Karaoke Kafe. Provide a play microphone and special chair where they can sit and read to classmates. Younger children could recite nursery rhymes.

GOOD JOB RALLY (Veda Hamrick)
Have children form two lines facing each other. One at a time children walk between the two lines as friends give them "high five" and say, "Good job!"

SMART DOTS (Tammy England)
Use scented lip balm to focus children's attention. Put a "smart dot" with the lip balm on their hand when they are listening quietly, lining up, etc.

SELF CONTROL LOTION (Carol Blackmon)
Label a bottle of lotion "self control lotion." Explain to the students that they are welcome to get some of your special lotion when they need a little help with self control.

$100 DOLLAR KIDS (Shirley Grant)
Make copies of a hundred dollar bill and then glue each child's photo on top of Ben Franklin. Use as a springboard for writing what they would do with $100.

ASTRONAUT LANDING (Kimberly O'Neam)
Use a stuffed astronaut or other toy as an indicator to write your name on your paper. The astronaut can fly around and "land" where needed.

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS FLIP BOOK
Make a flip book and then write the digits for the new year on the flaps. Children write a resolution for the New Year under each flap.

100 DAYS OF SCHOOL (Tracy H.)
Draw a large monkey with a huge stomach and an open mouth. Cut out 100 bananas and store in a baggie. Each day a child gets to put a banana in the monkey's stomach.

BUBBLES AND DUCK TAILS. (Jennifer Conatser)
Before lining up say, "bubbles and duck tails." Children put imaginary bubbles in their mouths and put their hands behind their backs to make duck tails.
LINE UP CHANT (Tracy Pardue)
As children leave the classroom they say, "When we go through the door, we talk no more!"

WALKING IN THE HALLS (Stephanie Hines)
Teacher says: When you're in the halls
Children respond: No talking at all.
Teacher says: If you do these things
Children respond: You'll have a ball.

YOU GET WHAT YOU GET (Veda Hamrick)
When students don't get the ONE they want say, "You get what you get and you don't pitch a fit."