S.M.A.R.T. Newsletter - Sept. '18

S.M.A.R.T. Spaces
“Avoid the Teacher Trap!” Do you remember hearing this at the S.M.A.R.T. Workshop? Knowing us we said it multiple times, and we definitely told you this about Slap Tracks/Creep Tracks. So what do we really mean by this and why on earth do we repeat this phrase? When it comes to Slap Tracks/Creep Tracks we mean it is easy to fall into a pattern of putting new material in the pockets, which is exactly what we want you to avoid.

The goal of the Slap Tracks/Creep Tracks is to have children creep on their hands and knees, at a slow and even pace, and focus both eyes on each card as they move smoothly down the track. When we put new or challenging material in the pockets the children stop to “decode” the information, which is counterproductive. When they stop to think they are using their cortex. Remember we want to stimulate, develop, and mature the brain stem area with this activity.
 
Instead, use material that you know they know, ya know? We even recommend you start the year with something extremely simple such as cards with handprints on them. As your students make their way down the track they simply give the card a “high five”. We have a free download here for you to print, cut, and slide into the pockets of your Slap Track/Creep Track. Enjoy!

References:
S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K CORE guide pages 50-54
S.M.A.R.T. Curriculum Guide pages 69-71

Attachments:
Hands (PDF)

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​S.M.A.R.T. at Home
​Engaging with parents can support the success of your S.M.A.R.T. program. If you haven’t already done so, it is important to share information about S.M.A.R.T. with parents. We have parent letters ready for you to print, copy, and send home.

Downloads:
S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K Parent Letter - English
S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K Parent Letter - Somali
S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K Parent Letter - Spanish
S.M.A.R.T. Elementary Parent Letter - English
S.M.A.R.T. Elementary Parent Letter - Somali
S.M.A.R.T. Elementary Parent Letter - Spanish
 
One of our S.M.A.R.T. presenters, Alisha, also sends along the “Benefits of S.M.A.R.T.” handout you received in the workshop. It contains information about many of the S.M.A.R.T. activities, the primary purpose, and classroom application. Can’t find your copy? Download it here! 

Attachments:
Benefits of SMART (PDF)

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Time Saving Tips
Do you want to know the best way to start your S.M.A.R.T. Program? At the beginning of the school year, it is always best to spend extra time to teach your students the proper way to do each S.M.A.R.T. activity. This is especially true when it comes to Slap Tracks/Creep Tracks. Spending extra time now to model and train good form with your students is something you will benefit from all year, and they will too!

We suggest you introduce the Slap Track/Creep Track right away, certainly as one of the first few in your S.M.A.R.T. Course. When you introduce this activity have the children sit in an area to watch. (NOTE: This is only during the teaching phase! After the CORE floor activities are taught you want all of the children moving, receiving, and benefiting from S.M.A.R.T. stimulation.) Demonstrate how to do the Slap Track/Creep Track or, if you are not comfortable doing so, choose a child to demonstrate.

Emphasize:
1.    Hands are flat and pointed straight
2.    Look at the card
3.    Say what you see on the card
4.    Gently slap the card
5.    Move smoothly down the track
6.    Feet are relaxed and gliding along
7.    Slow is good!

Once you have demonstrated let each of the children try the Slap Track/Creep Track. Let each child do the track 2 or 3 times. It is important to point out all of the accurate things children are doing as they make their way down the track. You will find that some of your students are challenged by this activity so you may have to help them out. As they participate in S.M.A.R.T. this will improve over time. 

Be sure to review all of this the next day to give your students the extra inputs they need. And remember, this activity is building the foundation for good reading skills so it’s an excellent investment of your time and worth every moment.

PS: If you’re short on time to make Slap Track/Creep Track cards check out S.M.A.R.T. Spaces in this edition for free, printable cards to start the school year!

References:
S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K CORE guide pages 50-54
S.M.A.R.T. Curriculum Guide pages 69-71

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That's One S.M.A.R.T. Teacher!
Liz, One S.M.A.R.T. Teacher from Minneapolis, has something we all wish to have at the beginning of the school year. What is it you ask? Her S.M.A.R.T. Room is planned, prepped, and ready to go with a monthly theme for the entire year! No, she didn’t spend her summer making mountains of materials. She did, however, invest some time each month last year. Liz created a set of materials that ties into the same theme being used in the classroom and her curriculum only this one is for the S.M.A.R.T. Room! She has a set of Slap Track cards, Tactile Trackers, Learning Ladders, various types of jumping and hoping activities, wait time activities, and posters and directions for each station. Better yet, each theme has its own tote, is labeled, and ready for use this year! SO. VERY. S.M.A.R.T.!

When it comes to using themes in your S.M.A.R.T. program, remember, you don’t need to go hog-wild. Your students will love even a few small tweaks to the course. Themes help keep the activities fresh and interesting for the children. Liz also suggests, “When you are starting to create a theme have a checklist of the CORE and MORE activities you want to have different materials for. That way you don't double up or miss something when you are being creative.” So why not check out the theme pages in your S.M.A.R.T. Curriculum Guide or S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K Guides? Choose what to use from each of the themes, try them all or pick just a few variations to the activities. But whatever you do, take a tip from Liz, save your investment to reuse and next year at this time you will be so happy you did!

References:
S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K CORE guide pages 103-111
S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K MORE guide pages 135-143
S.M.A.R.T. Curriculum Guide pages 11-15

More tips from Liz:
If you have large/school and small/personal laminators at your disposal the small/personal laminator sheets are thicker and work better for anything you might want on the floor, something that will be used frequently like wait spots, or directional signs. The large/school laminator is best suited for posters and large items.

Velcro is great to have. If you are allowed to in your school, place a strip of (loop side) Velcro in the areas you put Tactile Trackers/Learning Ladders and wait time activities. Make each of the materials in each area the same size so they are easy to put up and take down. You will use the hook side on the materials you are switching out. (And if you have really young kids using the space, like we do, it helps for them because it’s harder to pull down and they won't be tempted to eat the sticky tack :)
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Even if you are not doing themes specifically you could follow a similar organization as we do. Just use a few totes with your change of materials labeled. If you have a shared S.M.A.R.T. space collect the materials from everyone. Save them so the materials you have to switch out continues to grow. 

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