S.M.A.R.t. Newsletter - Sept. '19 S.M.A.R.T. Spaces

Here is what you should teach this the first day of S.M.A.R.T., regardless of the type of S.M.A.R.T. Space (classroom, S.M.A.R.T. Room, PE, or Hallway) you have.
 
Day 1: Introduce the Alligator Crawl and Balance Beam.  With the Alligator Crawl, emphasize saying low, reaching out to touch the midline and using opposite arm and leg. You can demonstrate how to do the Alligator Crawl or have a child model. Then let all the students practice 2-3 times. For the Balance Beam, emphasize the slow, heel-toe walk. In the beginning, make a mark on the tapeline or beam to identify when the next person can start. As with the Alligator Crawl, let each student try it 2-3 times.

Day 2: Review Alligator Crawl and Balance Beam by letting each child try it 1-2 times.
 
Day 3: Introduce Slap/Creep Track and the Pencil Roll. With the Creep Track, teach slow steady creeping while looking at each card. For the Pencil Roll, focus on using the hips to rotate the body and keeping arms and legs straight. Model each activity or have a child demonstrate, then let the students try it.

Day 4: Review Creep Track and Pencil Roll.
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Day 5: Review all four activities.
 
Continue until all activities are taught. Remember to invest the time in the beginning of the year to teach the activities properly. Once all of the activities are taught it is important to get all of your students moving to maximize the stimulation and benefits of the S.M.A.R.T. Program, but in the beginning of the year “Slow is Good!”

References:
S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K CORE Guide pages 33-34 (Pencil Rolls); pages 40-41 (Balance Beam); pages 47-49 (Alligator Crawl); pages 50-53 (Slap Track)
S.M.A.R.T. Curriculum Guide pages 36-37 (Pencil Rolls); pages 51-53 (Balance Beam); pages 66-68 (Alligator Crawl); pages 69-71 (Creep Track)