After the work is done

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Home : 2004 : July : 25

After the work is done
By Sue W.

There are teachers books available with ideas on
things kids can do.
What is meaningful for one child might not be for another. Practice of skills they have mastered is valuable until it gets boring, so it can be
difficult to come up with enough variety of file folder games, but it certainly can be a useful option.
A chance for kids to broaden their horizons or go with a personal skill or interest are valuable. One teacher I know has a keyboard with headphones and kids can sign up for a chance to use it. Another has recorders, and xylophones and 2 kids at a time, who had proven to be reliable,

could take them into the entryway where no one would be disturbed. Math manipulatives, simple science stuff such as magnifying glasses, a variety of puzzles, puppets and an art center can be valuable. Check out rummage sales for inexpensive options.
"Read to a Friend" is fun for some kids who might be bored reading to themself. They could read to a puppet of stuffed toy. It combines reading practice with pretend. Some kids eally get into it with expression and imitate what they have seen modeled, even asking the toy questions about the story.
"Read around the room" is another task that can be used. Kids have a chance to move as long as they don't disturb others and see how much they can read of bulletin boards, charts, daily messages, labels, book titles on a shelf as long as you have a print-rich environment.
You need to trian them in to the different options and prevent a few kids from monopolizing their favorites.