December 2014
“EYE” CAN FOCUS
“EYE” CAN FOCUS
Demonstrate how to hold your two index fingers a few inches from your eyes on either side of your head. Look at the right index finger with both eyes and then look at the left index finger. Do this several times to improve attention.
WAVE!
To do the WAVE, ask children to look at you. Explain that when you point to them, they can stand up, wave their arms in the air, and then sit down. (This is often done at sports events.)
Hint! Do the wave several times. Do it forwards and then reverse and do it backwards.
BUZZ!
To BUZZ, have children stoop down together. Very slowly and quietly begin making a buzzing sound. Increase the “buzz” as you rise in the air and extend your arms. Slowly return to the squatting position as you lower the buzz to a whisper. “Buzz” up and down several times.
MAKE RAIN
Tell the children to do exactly what you do and they’ll get a surprise!
Tap right index finger to your left palm 10 times.
Tap right index finger and middle finger to your left palm 10 times.
Tap right index, middle, and ring finger to your left palm 10 times.
Tap right index, middle, ring, and pinky finger to your left palm 10 times.
Clap hands 10 times.
Clap hands and stomp feet 10 times.
(Reverse movements)
Clap hands 10 times.
Tap right index, middle, ring, and pinky finger to your left palm 10 times.
Tap right index, middle, and ring finger to your left palm 10 times.
Tap right index finger and middle finger to your left palm 10 times.
Tap right index finger to your left palm 10 times.
Place hands quietly in your lap and smile.
WATER! WATER!
Did you know that every hour the brain needs water? Have children keep a water bottle at their desk and “take a swig” on the hour.
GAMES
Play “Simon Says,” “Copy Cat,” or other movement games.
SING ALONG SONGS
When you sing, your brain emits endorphins that make you happy and give you energy. Sing your heart out with one of these songs:
She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain
BINGO
The Wheels on the Bus
I’ve Been Working on the Railroad
Home on the Range
The Cool Bear Hunt
Mother Goony Bird
Silly Willy
The Bear Went over the Mountain
Peanut Butter
I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
The Farmer in the Dell
Found a Peanut
Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush
Skip to My Lou
AMERICAN IDOL
When you have a few extra minutes, play “American Idol.” Children get to choose songs and take turns leading the class.
IT’S ALL GOOD!
Some of your students will pick up the movements quickly and some of them will need a little practice. According to research, it generally takes 7 to 25 times for muscle memory to set in. Whether the get it right or not, the important thing is that they are trying – there’s no right or wrong. You don’t have to do a PET or MRI to observe how engaged they are, and that means their brain is lighting up like a Christmas tree. It’s all good!!!
REFERENCES
Hannaford, C. (2005). Smart moves: why learning is not all in your head.
Salt Lake City, UT: Great River Books.
Jensen, E. (2008). Brain-based learning. Del Mar, CA: Turning Point.
Jensen, E. (2008). Teaching with the brain in mind. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Medina, J. (2010), Brain rules. Seattle, WA: Pear Press.
Ratey, J. 2008). Spark. The revolutionary new science of exercise and the brain. New York: Little Brown and Company.
Schiller, P. (2012). Start smart: building brain power in the early years. Lewisville, NC: Gryphon House.
Wolfe, P. (2001). Brain matters: translating research into classroom practice. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
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