S.M.A.R.T. Newsletter - Oct. '16

S.M.A.R.T. Spaces
Create a S.M.A.R.T. Birthday theme for your S.M.A.R.T. space in three easy ways!
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For many districts, providing birthday treats is no longer an option. Why not celebrate that child in a S.M.A.R.T. way?  Take a look at how we incorporated this theme in a few core activities.

Keeping S.M.A.R.T. fresh and exciting is key to furthering brain stimulation and motivation for students to keep doing S.M.A.R.T. activities regularly.  Themes are fun and can be simple.  Find three core S.M.A.R.T. activities and think of how to incorporate a thematic twist.

Balance Beam (Pre-K CORE pg. 40 and Curriculum Guide pg. 51) – Provide a challenge to the students by stepping over mini birthday presents or bows as they move slowly in a heel-to-toe walk.  For fun, we made a birthday sash into a Balance Beam.

Hopscotch (Pre-K CORE pg. 42 and Curriculum Guide pg. 61) – Paper party plates lay flat when they are laminated!  Cut a two-inch slit into a handful of birthday plates, laminate them, add some Velcro to the bottom, and you can create a hopping pattern for students to maneuver through.  The birthday student could even be responsible for creating a hopping pattern.

Tactile Trackers (Pre-K CORE pg. 64) or Wagon Wheels (Curriculum Guide pg 148) pattern variation – Draw a birthday cupcake, candles, or balloons for students to trace and practice smooth eye movements.  Make sure to follow the directions in your guides.

Creep Track cards – “Happy”  “Birthday” can be typed up or hand written on cards for students to say as they are moving along the Creep Track and slapping the cards.  For students who are reading, you may also be able to make a card with the birthday student’s name on it. Keep all thematic materials in a birthday gift bag for the birthday boy or girl to transport to your S.M.A.R.T. space. ​

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S.M.A.R.T. at Home
Forts = Fun
As the weather gets cooler choose a fun indoor activity like building a simple fort to get kids moving in a S.M.A.R.T. way.

Encouraging your children to build forts at home can provide hours of fun, creative thinking, and physical activity.  Whether you use the dining room table, living room furniture, or just a box, forts can be S.M.A.R.T. and entertaining.
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Forts have children moving down low. Crawling on bellies and creeping on all fours are two very brain stimulating activities. Children are learning about coordination, integrating both sides of the brain, and strengthening their visual system to develop the right kind of eye movements they will need to become good readers.

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Time Saving Tips
Did you know our eyes require the highest level of movement precision in the human body? Here is a thematic variation of an activity designed to enhance smooth eye movements.

Wagon Wheels (S.M.A.R.T. Curriculum Guide page 148) and Tactile Trackers (Pre-K CORE Program Guide page 64) are activities that help develop and enhance smooth eye movements. To be good readers, our eyes must move together quickly, accurately, and in precise coordination. 
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Be sure to follow the directions found in your S.M.A.R.T. guides.

Downloads:
Cupcake (PDF)

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That's One S.M.A.R.T. Teacher!
Jenny Browning has been the S.M.A.R.T. teacher at Park Christian in Moorhead, MN for the past four years.  After several years of doing the program in the hallways, she has received a dedicated S.M.A.R.T. room!
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Read Park Christian’s newspaper feature here.