SECRET SPIES Apologise about all the secret stuff;
however, children love the mystery of it all and it really works!
As I am doing all the “getting ready to move out” instructions, I explain that there will be a certain number of secret spies in our midst.
1. These spies will be looking for the two best children in the class that have followed all the class rules. I secretly ask two or three children to do this role while the class is moving out! The other children who are not chosen love trying to work out who is the Secret Spy.
2. On our return to the classroom the spies are to stand in front of the whiteboard so they can nominate their people. The one catch is that the teacher has to agree with the nomination! This puts the fix on friends choosing friends, unless justified. While both the spy and their nominations all receive a reward, I have been know to double the reward when a true spy does not pick their nomination based on same sex or friendship status.
STATUES: If you are just moving a short distance and not going to waiting long,
like a whole school assembly, then you could try this idea for a bit of a chuckle with no noise!
(Relationship building)
Front and back leaders are chosen, lines are formed and the teacher is at the front. Here I can control the group as well as work out where we are going. Each time you turn around to check on the class, the children have to “freeze”; I call out the number of people I did see moving and don’t the children love it as the number decreases! With older children I estimate percentages.
DECTECTIVE EYES/EARS: This works well with the middle to lower classes.
Before you move off to your destination, explain that today we are going to look /listen very careful at everything as we move to and from the church. When we get back to the classroom, have a little Quiz to decide who your best detective is.
Sample questions may include: What animal made a loud noise just as we reached the church door? What colour are the flowers on the altar today? Which teacher waved at us as we walked quietly to choir practice? It does give the children a focus.
For older children I like to give just one quite tricky question, like: How many tools did the groundsman have in his wheelbarrow? What colour was the plastic box near the
tuck shop?
SHADOWS This is not really a game rather an metaphor that I find the younger children relate to quite well.
I tell the children we are going to be shadows as we walk to the library. Shadows don’t speak, they don’t even make any noise with their feet. They just silently guide pass watching and listening to everything interesting on their way. The little ones often start taking a lot more notice of their shadows during their outdoor play. You could introduce the best shadow award!
MAGIC TELESCOPE: Inside or outside the classroom, this strategy works effectively with Year 3 down.
Cupping your hands to mime the holding of the telescope, or binoculars if you choose, really accentuates the process of looking for a specific person and a specific behaviour. I find the children love watching your eyes as you go through the movements. When you finally link with an individual child their whole face lights up with a smile! I only ever reward the positive!
MAGIC GLUE: This is a strategy best for year 1 or below.
When you are faced with the challenge of pairing the children quickly
in order to move to a new location…… try this.
You have the pot of magic glue. Paint it on to a child’s hand and then place that hand into the hand of a partner. Never to come unstuck until you say. Rather than always holding hands the next painted hand could be painted then placed onto the partner’s shoulder, back, head, ear, knee, tummy…….get ready for the giggles! Join the line. Also works well as a transition idea between activities.
Trust this may be some
inspiration and as always I would love to read of any other ideas that you find work well. We can all learn from each other...that is what it is all about!
Live,laugh and learn,
Blessings for this Christmas
Season,
Carmel
