Transition+Ideas

=Transition Ideas for a Third Grade Classroom= = =

=1) Silent Math= (source- http://www.teachingwithpurpose.com/Classroom_Transitions_Susan_Douglas.pdf)

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.

=2) Pass the Parcel= (source- http://www.teachingwithpurpose.com/Classroom_Transitions_Susan_Douglas.pdf)

Cover a small box in brown paper. It is played like hot potato. It could be used as a lesson summarizer - when the music or counting stops that student has to say a fact that they learned about in the learning unit, ask a question about the unit, or answer a question. This activity can be used between lessons, to allow children to let out some energy as well as review what they have learned before starting a new lesson.

=3)Talking Stick= (source- Personal Experience)

When participating in a class discussion, have students sit in a circle. Have a wand that is called the talking stick. Explain to students that they are not allowed to say a word unless the talking stick is in their hand. The talking stick will be passed clockwise around the circle allowing each student who wants to talk a turn to talk. This is a good way to transition from student to student and keep the rest of the class quiet while they are speaking.

=**4) Stone Man**= (source- Observed at Blackburn elementary)

When stopped in the hallway, waiting to leave for an event, or anytime the students are lined up and need to be still and quiet this can be used. Assign one student to be "It". All the other students are told to turn into stone men. Meaning they can not move or talk. The student who is "it" picks the person who is being most still and most quiet to be "it" next. The game continues this way. It is much like the quiet game.

=5) Pattern Clap= (source- personal experience)

When it is time for the students to stop what they are doing and clean up, or a certain center is over you can gain their focus by pattern clapping. Clap three times fast and two times slow for example. The students will have to mimic the beat that they hear. They will stop what they are doing and listen in order to hear the pattern and be able to correctly mimic it back to the teacher.

=6)Cracker Facts= (source- http://www.ehow.com/info_7967520_transition-ideas-elementary-classroom.html)

When a teacher finds herself with more than five minutes between activities, she can lead the class in a game of cracker facts. Students remain seated at their desks while the teacher circulates around the room with a jar of pretzels or animal crackers. Students must raise their hands and, when called upon, state a fact from a topic that was studied that week. If the fact is correct, she gets a cracker and may not have another turn until everyone has had a chance. Students must remain silent and attentive while each child has a chance.

=7) Beat the clock=

(source- Personal idea)

When it is time for students to clean up a area before transitioning to a different lesson make it a game. This will motivate the students and make them feel like they aren't really doing a chore. Get the student's attention by ringing a bell. Explain to them that they are trying to beat the clock. Set an egg timer at the front of the room. Tell them to see how fast they can clean up their center. Act like it is a race by making a big deal out of saying "on your mark, get set, go".

=8) Repeat the song= (source- observed at Blackburn Elementary)

Teach the class an age appropriate song or rhyme. When it is time to stop working on an activity, or time is up on a test start singing the song until the whole class joins in.

=9) Snowball= (source-http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/5-minute-transitional-activities-busy-day)

I play Snowball with my class when we have a few extra minutes. The rule is that everyone must remain quiet unless they are pointed to. I begin by pointing to one student and giving him an addition fact such as, //7+9 //. He can think all he wants, but must not say //uh //, //um //, or anything other than the answer. When the student replies //16 //, I quickly turn to another student, point, and say //plus 5 //, and that student must add five to the previous student's answer. If a child did not hear the other answer, was not following along mentally and therefore cannot correctly reply, or if he or she says anything other than the answer (i.e., //I didn't hear what he said. //), the game starts over. The goal is to reach 100 with no mistakes and nothing spoken other than the correct answer. We keep track of how far we get without a mistake and always strive to at least surpass our highest score. It is a nice game because students struggling in math can be called upon early on in the game and given simpler problems, while the math wizards can be challenged. This can also be transferred to subtraction (where you begin at 100 and try to reach zero) or multiplication.

=10) Trophy Game= (source-http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/5-minute-transitional-activities-busy-day)

My class and I play a game in which we discuss what a trophy is. I encourage students to think creatively by asking them what they would look like if they were trophies from various events. First, I ask students to spread themselves throughout the room. I then say, //Show me what you would look like if you were a trophy for miniature golf contest // (or bowling league, etc). Students pose themselves accordingly and must hold that position. It is surprising how many ideas emerge and the students will also offer many great suggestions. Play as long as you want or just for five minute = = = =

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