s.m.a.r.t. newsletter - jan 2025

one s.m.a.r.t. teacher

I’ve always loved the hidden pictures feature in magazines—it’s like a playful treasure hunt where every ‘find’ feels like a small victory! Can we capture that sense of discovery using this photo of the Alligator Crawl in this kindergarten classroom?

A new year usually leaves us teachers with a bit of a renewed sense of energy. Now might be the perfect time to add in some fun to core activities.

1. A fun way to get students to improve their form in getting their chin lower to the floor while they crawl is the addition of a bridge. Here a yardstick and a cone was used.

2. Crawling under furniture. Simple, yes, but you should have heard the shouts of excitement and the cheering for one another. 

3. A timer with music. I have found that putting a timer up on the smart board with music in the background is HUGELY motivating for my class. I search on YouTube for “10 minute timer with music” and choose something fun each day. If you can’t do 10 minutes, can you do 8? 9?​

​4. Just after the Alligator Crawl is another station that promotes proprioception using the whiteboard. But you will have to head over to Time Saving Tips to read about that 😁

​Let’s make a 2025 pact to share ideas in our S.M.A.R.T. community
that promote fun and exciting variations of S.M.A.R.T. Core Activities!
Share your creative ideas by tagging us on Facebook or Instagram
​OR email us photos with a quick description at [email protected]

References: 

• S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K CORE Program Guide page 47
  
• S.M.A.R.T. Curriculum Guide page 66