Transition+Ideas


 * Bullets**
 * **In between academic subjects or for conclusion of lesson, they would have share time on the carpet to talk about what they had learned that day.**
 * **Think, Pair, Share in between activities (so they do not talk the whole time)**

Rhyme and Song > Jobs > Quiet Game > Cracker Facts > 
 *  Teach elementary students rhymes and songs for transition times. When kids are reciting, they are getting into a rhythm that keeps momentum going from one activity to the next. The words of the rhyme and song are important -- they remind the students of what they are doing and why they are doing it. For example, when directing kindergarteners to wait their turns to wash hands in preparation for snack or [|lunch], they can quietly rehearse a hand washing song that explains the importance of "washing germs away."
 *  Students feel important when they have jobs. Assign roles -- line leader, desk monitor, chalkboard washer, shoe inspector, lunch bag checker -- to elementary school students to get them involved and accountable to each other. When students are lining up for physical education, engage the shoe checker to walk the line and inform kids about untied laces. While waiting for the school bus, enroll two or three students to close the classroom door, make sure the lunch box shelf is empty and jackets aren't left on hooks. Jobs well done earn a [|prize] and roles are rotated fairly so that everyone gets a chance.
 *  Challenge elementary students to be quiet while waiting for the next activity. This transition idea is especially good if children have to wait near the school office or another classroom where noise would disturb others. Whichever students are able to remain silent -- no giggling, talking or bodily noises -- earn prizes or praises. Rewards can be simple -- points, a sticker, a thank-you note or a note for the parents telling how cooperative their child was that day.
 *  When a teacher finds herself with more than five minutes between activities, she can lead the class in a game of cracker facts. Students remain seated at their desks while the teacher circulates around the room with a jar of pretzels or [|animal] crackers. Students must raise their hands and, when called upon, state a fact from a topic that was studied that week. If the fact is correct, she gets a cracker and may not have another turn until everyone has had a chance. Students must remain silent and attentive while each child has a chance.

Read more: [|Transition Ideas in the Elementary Classroom | eHow.com] [|http://www.ehow.com/info_7967520_transition-ideas-elementary-classroom.html#ixzz1e2k3ui83]

 Great website for Transitions!!  []

Magic Wand –  sprinkle quiet fairy dust on students Rain Stick – soothing effect in between activities Follow the Flashlight –  visual trackiing skills (pre-place unite themed noted cares around the room, use flashlight to search for questions, words, or clues) Traffic Light -  Each color means a different level of classroom volume and motion Give Me Five  - eyes on teacher, ears listening, mouth quiet, arms by your side, and feet still. []

__**More Transition Ideas**__
** Marvelous Microphone –  **

used when students would like to speak during circle/meeting time.
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;">** Sensory Starters –  **  Before kicking off a lesson give students a clue of     <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;">what they’ll be learning about by creatively appealing to one or several of   <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;">the senses – smell, hear, taste, touch, and sight. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;">** Picture Talk-  **  Collect a series of different pictures or postcards that are <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;">related to a learning unit – ex: places, animals, people from other cultures, <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;">homes, seasons, etc. Use the pictures as a tool to create math word <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;">problems, as writing prompts, to ask open-ended questions, or as a visual <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;">memory game, etc. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;">** Pass the Parcel –  **  Cover a small box in brown paper. It is played like hot <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;">potato. It could be used as a lesson summarizer - when the music or  <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;">counting stops that student has to say a fact that they learned about in   <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;">the learning unit, ask a question about the unit, or answer a question. ** Create a classroom “Happy Box”  **  – decorate several shoe boxes with contact paper/wrapping paper/or fabric. Fill it with a variety of themed materials. These materials should correlate with your specific learning unit. Rotate the materials out for each unit and add to items every few