Transition Ideas
- The teacher says " One, two, three, eyes on me" and the students reply " one, two, eyes on you". This is a good way to obtain the student's attention in order to give new directions.
- Clapping patterns for attention.
- Lining Up Ideas – Have students line in alphabetical order, in sequence of their birthdays, have the students spell or define vocabulary words while lining up, spell a spelling word, by height, by colors, or patterns, etc.
- Make a tape of sounds from the environment.Some examples are crickets chirping, cell phones ringing, water running, a thunderstorm, a kitty mewing. When the tape is played the students are asked to identify what the noise is. Keep a numbered list for your own reference so you don’t forget what’s on it. The younger children especially like this activity.
- Silent Statue: While the kids at in line outside of the restrooms or somewhere in the hall, they play a game called silent statue. The teacher starts by saying " one, two, three, silent statue starts now" and then the students freeze in place becoming statues and not talking. The teacher picks a student who is not moving or talking. This student can then repeat the steps and pick another student. The kids really love playing this game.
- Counting down from ten. When it is time for the kids to come down to the carpet, the teacher counts down from ten and when she gets to one ll students should be sitting on the carpet. If they do not follow directions, they will probably have to move their magnet to yellow.
- Around the World- While the students are in line waiting to go into specials or waiting outside of the bathroom, sometimes we play around the world. It is adding and subtracting against an opponent.
- I Spy: Whenever students are finished with their work and are waiting for the timer to go off in order for them to rotate to another center, it is a good idea to play " I Spy".
- Singing a song to line up.
- Discussion: Small discussion after an activity.
- Ringing a bell or different sound
- Setting a the timer for a given amount of time for the students to complete a task.
- Playing Simon says or follow the leader
- Start telling a story in a very quiet voice. There is something about a low, quiet voice that seems to draw children’s attention. We often read aloud to students, but we seldom just tell stories. (pre-K to grade 5)
- Encourage students who finish work early to read a book silently.