Ideas For Indoor Play With Students

The below zero days in Minnesota means the kids are inside rather than outside most days!  Yikes you know what that means, rambunctious kids. Here are a couple of things I do to get the wiggles out.

1. Blow up some balloons and go in a large open area  and have the kiddos in small groups, keep the balloons in the air.  The each have to have turns tapping it in the air.  It doesn't take long for those little bodies to start sweating.

2. Often times our noon also means no outside time we play the Smart board game "Give the Dog a Bone".   The kiddos are also in teams, mine are the tables they sit at.   Four chairs are lined up at the side of the smart board, as soon as the timer begins the kiddo in the first chair goes up and located the number space, then it the next child and that continues until one minute is up.  I keep track of the total numbers found.   We play 5 rounds.  This may take a couple of days, but the kids sure love it.
Table 1=____ _____ _____ _____ _____
Table 2=____ _____ _____ _____ _____
Table 3=____ _____ _____ _____ _____

At the end of the 5 rounds the kiddos have their names put on an award in the hallway.

Neat Table or Neat Desk Award

Don't you hate when the classroom looks like a disaster because the kids have their desk a disaster!?!  It seems like the day goes by so fast that it is hard to keep track of each kid keeping their desk in order.  Here is the solution I have come up with and now have the cleanest desks in the school.  On top of that it is easier for the kids to find their stuff and we don't lose time in the mess!
Each month I have a desk or table check for neatness.  I put a small award on the table or desk to let the kids know the Neatness Fairy has come to check.

Example of Award that Goes on the Table

 Rules for the Neat table or desk award are:

 1.  There is no crayon or pencil marking on the surface.

 2.  Name tag or table mats are not torn or ripped

 3.  The inside of the desk clean

 4.  Chairs placed neatly

 5.  The area around the seating area is picked up.

Award  For Keeping Desk Together

The kids love this award because we eat lunch together in a special area and their picture is displayed in the hallway.

Example of picture that goes out in the hallway for the winning desk.

Every month set up a new seating arrangement so there is a new month to work with others to get this award.  The kiddos love the change and look forward to working and meeting new friends.

I just keep a quick tally during the month to decide the winner.

DIY Tent For The Classroom

Who doesn't love a tent?  Making tents is a pastime of all different kiddos.  So why not incorporate one into the classroom?  A tent can be versatile in the classroom.  I think of the tent as a nice little reading nook in the classroom or as a place that the kiddos can go just to calm down.  It is a great way to block out all the "excess" going on in the classroom for some kids that need that.  This tent found on Pink Oatmeal is an easy tutorial on how to make a simple tent for very little money!  If you have an old twin sheet laying around this will easily be under $8 to create this tent that would be a great addition to any classroom.

Pink Oatmeal has easy step by step directions on how to assemble this tent.  No nailing, screws, or hammers.  It is nice that the pieces just fit together.