Transition+Ideas

Transition Ideas You have 10 Seconds..... Give the students the task you want them to transition into and give them ten second. "You have ten seconds to put your just right books away and get out your whiteboards with a dry erase marker, ready, set, go!" Get The Noise Out.... (www.ilovethatteachingidea.com) When transitioning to a new subject area, the students are sometimes rowdy or sometimes lathargic. If the students are rowdy, I stand in front of the room and wait until I get their attention. Then I point to my eyes as a signal to "watch" and point to my chest to signal "me." I then clap, stomp, or shake a body part in a series of patterns and it is their job to repeat my lead. This is done in complete silence, so they do not clap aloud but would simulate clapping, for example. The last signal I give them is to sit down quietly. I do this by holding my hands out in front of me, palms down, and bringing my hands from my mid-chest to hip level. I then begin teaching in a whisper voice as I walk among the desks. On days when the students are lethargic, I give out the instructions verbally and with great enthusiasm. I have them stomp, clap, tap, and shake a body part in a pattern that mimics mine with as much noise as they can make. They especially like pounding their desks, with open palms, as hard as they can. Toward the end of the activity, I slowly lower the noise of the clapping, etc., so that the students calm down and are awake and ready to work without being hyped up. Marvelous Microphone .... Pre-make out of a cardboard roll, aluminum foil, black tissue paper and glue. This could used as an attention grabber or used when students would like to speak during circle/meeting time.

Sensory Starters.. Before kicking off a lesson give students a clue of what they’ll be learning about by creatively appealing to one or several of the senses– smell, hear, taste, touch, and sight. Silent Math During the times your entire class is lined up and waiting, have one child start by using fingers and hand signals to give math problems. (Example: Hold up one finger (1), then make a plus sign (+), then two fingers (1+2). Lastly, put one hand above the other facing in opposite directions for the equal sign(=).) If a student wants to answer, he/she must raise their hand to be called on. They must give the answer using fingers and hand signals.

Music Transitions When it is time for my class to transition from one activity to another, I play music to motivate them to clean up quickly. I try to pick music that is upbeat and very catchy. After the children are done cleaning up the activity at hand, I usually let the music play a little bit longer so the children can dance out any extra activity they may. This way, I can have their undivided attention once we settle back done at the tables for another activity. Colors,Shapes,Numbers To make transition time faster and easier, I cut out five shapes, five times on the Ellis Die cut machine using the same sequence of different colored construction paper. Example: green, red, yellow, blue, orange bunny, frogs, crayons, etc. I label each colored shape with a number and laminate one to each student’s space at their tables. Then, when we line up or move anywhere in the room, I call a shape, color or number and those students line up first. Super Scholar Style When students are getting ready for a test and are looking sleeping and slouchy get them ready to transition into test time. Say super scholar style and students clap twice, sit up strait, and place elbows on desks. Repeat 3 Times While Transitioning If you want them to pull out a specific book like a math book, simply say, "Math Book!" they respond 3 times, "Math book, math book, math book!" as they frantically race to pull out their math book, place it on their desk, and put their hands on top of their math book. Award points as deserved for following directions quickly. Line up? Say "Lines!" they respond "Lines! Lines! Lines!" it's wonderful.... "Seats! Seats! Seats!" "Page 242!" etc....

Closing Activity As students walk in the door hand 10 scrap pieces of paper out at random. Class knows that if they get a piece of paper they have to write a comment about the class topic that day or a question they have. It may be a question a neighbor had. This gives me something to do if i wrap up early or something to start off the next class session. Check for understanding or clarification. It also allows students to ask questions anonymously as I shuffle the papers and others can grab a sheet to add to the stack. 1 2 3 Eyes On Me Students respond back 1 2 3 Eyes On You