Classroom ideas

[jlbarwikowski]

A couple of things we're thinking of doing in the classrooms

The older kids (5th/6th grade) who think they're too old to be here - We are going to set up one room with computers and video games. When kids do something good they will earn a token, ,the token can be redeemed for a chance at the prize grabber, a piece of candy, or for a set time in the video game room where they will do Roller Coaster Tycoon or WII Carnival Games.

Also - something we did at camp that we're going to transfer. Each table will create one roller coaster car from a box. They need to fit 2 kids in the box and be able to run with it Fred Flintstone style. Our closing program will be a picnic and at the picnic we will "race" the cars.

[KimR]

LOVE THE IDEA of the rollar coaster cars!! It is always great to get ideas that older kids will get into and especially a craft that BOYS will find exciting!!!! YEA!!

[JoleenTX]

OHHHH GREAT IDEA! I do my groups by mixed ages. This is a perfect project for each team to do when they have time after their main craft of the day (which is always a prob with the older kids! Then each team can relay race it maybe even through a course of some sort. COOL - Thanks!

[JackieG]

I am teaching a kindergarten VBS class on monday and was wondering if anyone had some good classroom advice for me. I am a first time teacher and am very nervous to over do it.

[Judy N.]

Congratulations! You will do great. Kindergarteners are a fun bunch. I would just be very positive and tell the kids how happy you are to be there and be their teacher. Tell them what a special week they are going to have, learning all about Jesus. To help keep things in control if they get chatty while you are trying to tell a story or whatever, just remind kids to listen by saying "Shh. It's is my turn to talk right now." ... they will get their turn in a little bit...they will need to raise their hands, etc. You may also want to have a teddy bear or similar toy(s) for each table as a mascot and give it a name, remind them if they talk to loud their bear can't hear the story, or the bear is watching to see who shares the markers, etc. Let the best listener, most polite, best cleaner-upper, etc. take the bear with them to snack time. If you have several bears or stuffed animals, everyone could get a turn before the week is up. Also at the end of the day, you could use the bear as a way to announce to the kids who made the best choices...who was the best listener, who made the best choices, who took turns, etc. you could come up with a positive title for everyone and write it on a piece of paper in a big envelope marked Bear-Mail.

[flutist14_99]

Congrats JackieG! Just remember that kindergarteners love to please the teacher. Exploit this to your advantage by praising everyone for what they do right. Before you know it, they'll all be begging you to praise them.
I love the teddy bear idea Judy N.! I'll make sure to file that one away.
Good luck! I'm sure you'll do great!:)

[VBS_luver]

yea, our 5th-6th grade doesn't really want to be there either. I guess the parents think of it as cheap babysitting, wihich is really sad. But I love your idea of giving away roller coaster tycoon. Also this year for us we play relay races and penny tosses for fun activitues in the classroom