S.M.A.R.T. NEWSLETTER - Jan. '20 S.M.A.R.T. SPACES

Welcome back from winter break! We know getting back into the swing of things after the break can be a challenge. For some students the dramatic change in structure from being at home for a week or two and then back to school is difficult. It may appear as if they have forgotten everything you’ve taught in the first trimester of school and you may feel like you are back to square one.

We think this is the perfect time to refresh, review, and reteach! Break out your S.M.A.R.T. Guide (Pre-K CORE Guides for early childhood educators and Curriculum Guide for elementary teachers) and refresh your memory on the important elements of the Alligator Crawl, Slap/Creep Track, Pencil Roll, and Balance Beam activities. S.M.A.R.T. Posters (Pre-K and Elementary) also provide a quick reference to key components.

Review the basic activities with your students, systematically reminding them what you want them to do. “Today, I'm going to be looking for great alligators.

Stay low, push off with your foot, and reach out with your arms. When I see a good gator I'm going to ring a bell.” Or “When you go to the Creep Track today, be sure to look at your hand as you slap the card gently. Say what you see as you slap it and go slowly. Slow is good on the Creep Track.”
 
You may even want to reteach these activities, just as you did at the beginning of the year. Have them sit down in an area. Go over each activity one at a time. Model for them the correct procedure and then have a student model the procedure. Finally, have everyone do the activity and be sure to give specific and positive feedback as the children do the activities. We know taking the time to refresh, review, and reteach will also help you and your students reinvest in the benefits of the S.M.A.R.T. Program.

References:
S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K CORE Guide pages 33-34, 40-41, 47-49, and 50-53 
S.M.A.R.T. Curriculum Guide pages 36-37, 51-53, 66-68, and 69-71