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We found one S.M.A.R.T. School in Eau Claire, WI! Prairie Ridge Early Learning School adds a visual above their vision trackers to help remind students to cover 1 eye, to cover the other eye, and then to trace using both eyes. We love this clever idea! Download a printable version below.  This free set of holiday trackers is our gift to you, enjoy! You will find we’ve used just three colors so your students will:
At the beginning and end of each line, add in academics to support the learning happening in your room. Examples: A connecting to a, 54 connecting to 50+4, etc. References:
S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K CORE Guide pages 64-65 S.M.A.R.T. Curriculum Guide pages 148-150 Downloads: Tracker Visual (PDF) Holly Tracker (PDF) Tree Tracker (PDF) Reindeer Tracker (PDF)
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Holiday treats abound this time of year and we have something sweet for you too! December’s Time Saving Tip is a candy cane template you can use as a Learning Ladder! 
References:
S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K MORE Guide pages 108-109 S.M.A.R.T. Curriculum Guide pages 246-247 (note: you can use content beyond numbers) Download: Candy Cane Learning Ladder (PDF) Frosty the Snowman has a very important holiday message for you; Crawling and Creeping are the language of the brainstem! Wait, what? It’s true! That’s why it is so important to keep Crawling and Creeping in your S.M.A.R.T. course all year long!
When children are creeping on a Slap/Creep Track they are developing:
References:
Alligator Crawl S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K CORE Guide pages 47-49 S.M.A.R.T. Curriculum Guide pages 66-68 Slap/Creep Track S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K CORE Guide pages 50-51 S.M.A.R.T. Curriculum Guide pages 69-71 Download: December Slap/Creep Track Cards (PDF)
 3 Things S.M.A.R.T. Parents Need to Know 1. Frequency. Intensity. Duration. - It’s how the brain learns Largely due to increased testing, children are not receiving enough “inputs” of information in school these days. Learning is based on repetition. Children need to be given more inputs (taught lessons) more frequently, intensely, and over a longer duration. Too often we test children by giving them an input once or twice and expecting that they have mastered it. Instead, children must receive more inputs and not be asked for the output until they have truly learned it and feel comfortable. 2. View Children Developmentally – We all develop at different rates
Parents (and teachers) must view children developmentally, not chronologically. A child who is 6 could be 4 developmentally speaking. Since every child matures differently, depending on his or her family, living environment, and genetic makeup, they must not be expected to progress at the same speed. Stimulation to the brain (especially through movement), has a tremendous impact on their ability to learn; they must not be rushed and it is important they experience some level of success early on. 3. Play Outside – It builds a better brain In a world dominated by television, computers, and video games, children are spending more time sitting down, indoors, and staring at video screens than ever before. At the same time, more children are being diagnosed with learning challenges and developmental delays. Playing outside exposes kids to the natural elements, boosts their immune systems, enhances brain development, and greatly contributes to their overall health and well-being. Find a fun outdoor activity that makes your child happy! Jessica Kittleson, One S.M.A.R.T. Teacher and former MLRC Assistant Director, went back to the classroom and was relieved when she found the layouts for her S.M.A.R.T. room! Her advice is to draw a picture of how you lay out your room/course so you can revisit it later that same year or perhaps you wait until the next year. Either way, you’ll be so glad you did! Jessica’s layouts start out simple with only 4 CORE activities then as the year goes on, she adds in more activities. Jessica even advises keeping the layouts that don’t work, that way you won’t try them again! 
Let’s face it most early childhood and elementary teachers love decorating their classrooms. (Or are you in the pool of those who do not?) Either way, decorating can be time consuming and we know ALL educators are short on time. So then, how do we decorate to ensure our time is well spent and the decorations have a function? We like to use Tactile Trackers/Vision Trackers to put the FUN into “fun”ctional! Tactile Trackers/Vision Trackers mature eye movements and support the scanning skills critical for reading fluency. Knowing you’re short on time we have created these trackers for you.
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AuthorSCheryl Smythe Archives
November 2019
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