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

S.M.A.R.T. Spaces
Alligator Crawls are an activity we want you to keep in your S.M.A.R.T. Space every single day for the entire school year. As a result this activity can become something your students get tired of doing. So then, it is important to keep your creative ideas flowing when it comes to adding some fun to the Alligator Crawl.

We have seen some very clever ideas and have two of our holiday-themed favorites to share in this edition. First, is a spin we call “Crawling through the presents.” Start by covering copier boxes with paper. You could use bulletin board paper or, even better, wrapping paper! Next, place a wrapped box on either side of the space where your students Alligator Crawl and then tape some tinsel garland to each box connecting them. Your students are sure to keep their chest down low as they crawl under the tinsel and through the presents!

If you have two spots for the Alligator Crawl (a S.M.A.R.T. design we highly recommend!) or if you use a clear vinyl carpet runner, you could try this fun idea. Just pick up the runner, roll out some gift-wrap underneath, and replace the runner. Voila, no sweat, you are done! In the photo below you see we like to use a line of tape down the middle of the runner (also secured on the underside). Students can slap the line as they crawl, and they will absolutely enjoy the colorful new view.

References:
S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K CORE guide pages 47-49
S.M.A.R.T. Curriculum Guide pages 66-68

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S.M.A.R.T. at Home
How much time does your child spend on some type of screen each day? If you are like most parents your first thought is “probably too much”. This article, written by Christine Schoenwald and originally published on YourTango, has some great insight on how screen time is creating tired, wired, and just plain moody kids. It is a great, quick read on how you can, and should, hit the reset button during this winter break.

Link to Story

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Time Saving Tips
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, or so the song goes. We’re not certain about that, but we are sure it is busiest time of year! So busy, in fact, that we know you ARE too busy to create new items for the S.M.A.R.T. course. Still we this is a time when some fun little additions can be made to the program which keep things fresh and exciting for your students. Here are two creative ways to change up your Hopscotch that only take a few minutes of your seriously limited time.

Our first idea is to use holiday themed paper plates. We found a package of 10 that featured snowflakes. If you find the heavy-duty type you can simple adhere Velcro dots to the back and arrange in a hopscotch pattern, as we have done here:

Or, you can download this printable version of snowflake Hopscotch we have created for you. Print, cut, and laminate them, then apply the Velcro and arrange. We know your students will love this easy and time saving twist on the Hopscotch!

​References:
S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K CORE guide pages 42-43
S.M.A.R.T. Curriculum Guide pages 61

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That’s One S.M.A.R.T. Teacher
S.M.A.R.T. Teachers everywhere keep items others might toss and they use such items in their classrooms. This time of the year we hope you are beginning to receive gifts from students and families who recognize your passion, dedication, and talents. If these gifts happen to arrive in small gift bags we hope you will consider reusing them in your S.M.A.R.T. course! PSSST S.M.A.R.T. Teachers do this!

S.M.A.R.T. students everywhere will enjoy trying not to step on the presents when they make their way (heal to toe, of course) across the balance beam!

References:
S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K CORE guide pages 40-41
S.M.A.R.T. Curriculum Guide pages 51-53