transition trouble

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Home : 2003 : September : 11

transition trouble
By deb

I would say that transitions are the hardest part of the day for any teacher! I always try to give prior notice that the activity will be ending soon and what my expectations are for when the children finish. I tell the
class that I'll be looking out for those children that know how to follow directions. When I need to interrupt their work or it's time to start a new activity, I have a variety of "attention getters" so the class never gets bored. Sometimes its a special clapping signal that the class claps back, a hand raised in the air with the other hand making the "Shh" sign on my mouth (the class

sees me do this and they need to all do the same until all are quiet), or I turn off the lights. Sometimes I say "1,2,3! Look at me! 3,2,1!Talking done!" or "Freeze!" and they stop in their tracks until I'm finished with my directions and then I tell them "Melt!" Another great one is to start a pattern of claps, snaps, shoulder taps, etc. and the class needs to follow along. We then talk about what the pattern was (ABAB, ABBABB, AABAAB, ABCABC, etc)They are then ready for directions. By the way, I think Molly's song is "Frere Jacques."