Brain Breaks Action Songs: Let's Move CD Review and Giveaway!

The Learning Station has a brand new CD out called "Brain Breaks Action Songs: Let's Move"!  Since I work for them, they let me review CD's and give one away to a lucky blog reader of mine!  They were so kind they even dedicated this CD to me and a few other huge fans.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
Now you have the chance to win this fun CD for your classroom or home!  Enter by doing as many things on the Rafflecopter form above that you would like to do.  Remember that sharing will give you 5 entries and you can share every 24 hours for more entries.  You will have to go back to Rafflecopter each 24 hours.  You will have 48 hours to claim your prize if you are the winner or a new winner will be chosen!   If you aren't the winner, you can purchase the CD by clicking on it below! 

This CD has 16 highly engaging fun songs!  They work perfectly for brain breaks and indoor recess when the weather is too cold or rainy.  Research shows that children need brain breaks to be able to focus after long periods of sitting still.

The songs are:
1. Good Morning - a fun uptempo song with movements to start your class off each morning on a positive note.
 2. Iggle Wiggle - a fun energetic song with movements and it will have your students laughing.  This one will have your kids barking like a mutt, sing like Smurf, blow a kiss, etc.! haha  It is one of my favorites on the CD!
3. Chili Chili - This one is a fun song that has kids doing the ballet, belly dance, Irish jig, pogo, etc. It also has them touching the ground, turning around, etc.  This is great when they need to burn off a ton of energy!  Check out the video below.



4. I am the Music Man - is a fun repeat after me song that will have your students pretending to play musical instruments!
5. Penguin Song - There are currently two great videos for the penguin song and both the live version and the animated version have the fun movements.  Read about my post on this song and watch the videos by clicking HERE.
6. Monster Shuffle - This is a fun line dance song.  It is perfect for Halloween, but also great for just a brain break as many children love monsters! Check out this fun video by clicking HERE.
7. A Turkey Dance - This is a fun original dance that is my absolute favorite turkey song I have ever heard.  This is one of my very favorites on the CD.  Many teachers do turkey activities during Thanksgiving, but it's also perfect for an animal/bird unit.  Also, just for a fun brain break!  Check out the video below, which is the best YouTube turkey dance video that I have ever seen!



8. There was a Crocodile - This is a fun animal song with animal sounds.  This is perfect for any animal unit!  Your students will have a blast making these animal sounds!
9. Happy Dance - This is a fun dance that will no doubt have your students smiling and feeling happy!
10. Sparkle -  This is a slower paced original song that is about spreading kindness.  This is a perfect song for Valentine's Day or any time when teaching the character trait kindness.  There are also movements to go with this one!
11. Tarzan - This is an uptempo brain break!  Tarzan is another fun repeat after me song.  It will have students doing fun movements with Tarzan and Jane!
12. Brain Breaks Skip-a-Dee-Doo - This is a fun brain break song that will have your students following directions.
13. Princess Pat - is a slower paced song that is popular camp/scout song.  It is a fun repeat after me song.
14. Zum Gali Gali - is a Hebrew song about friendship with very catchy lyrics that will have your kids clapping along!  This is one of my favorites on the CD. 
15. Ride that Pony - a fun brain break song that is perfect for any cowboy/cowgirl theme.  This is sure to be popular for children who love horses!
16. Goodbye Song - This is a fun song about saying goodbye in silly ways such as see you soon raccoon, take care polar bear, be sweet parakeet, etc.  It is a repeat after me song that will have your students doing some fun movements as well.  Perfect song to end any day!

Now you have the chance to win this fun CD for your classroom or home!  Enter by doing as many things on the Rafflecopter form above that you would like to do.  Remember that sharing will give you 5 entries and you can share every 24 hours for more entries.  You will have to go back to Rafflecopter each 24 hours.  You will have 48 hours to claim your prize if you are the winner or a new winner will be chosen! 

Thanks for hoppin' by Hopkins' Hoppin' Happenings.  Keep on smiling!

Bucket Filling from A to Z

I preordered this book months ago and finally they released it.  It's called Bucket Filling From A to Z: The Key to Being Happy and it is by Carol McCloud and Caryn Butzke.  This book goes right along with the other bucket filling books that I have reviewed.

This book has ideas from yes A to Z on how you can make others happy by filling their bucket and yours too.  The book always rhymes on each page making it even more fun and the rhyming touches that important phonemic awareness skill that helps children learn to read.

Some examples include: "I is for Invite.  Invite someone who's new to join in all the fun.  Their bucket will be filled because of what you've done."  "L is for Listen.  Listen with your eyes and ears when other people talk, while sitting in a classroom or going for a walk."  My favorite is S.  "S is for Smile.  Smile and see what happens.  Does a smile come back to you?  When you fill a bucket, you are really filling two."

Share your bucket filling ideas and let me know if you have read this great book.  Click the picture if you'd like to check it out on Amazon!

Thanks for hoppin' by Hopkins' Hoppin' Happenings.  Keep on smiling!

Brag Tags Review

I am so thrilled to get the opportunity to review some Brag Tags from imagestuff.com.  I was given the opportunity to pick Brag Tags from their website or create my own.  I decided to create my own. Click the picture to follow imaginestuff.com on their blog for for free downloads and tips.  You can also find them on Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/imagestuff/pins/ and https://www.facebook.com/imagestuff

The first one says Kindness Counts and has my name at the bottom of it.  I wanted this one because as a substitute teacher and even when I was a teacher (hope to be again soon), I try so hard to get children to be kind to everyone.  There are many children who have gone over and beyond to be kind to me.  I also see children help others who are crying, go play with children who says they have no one to play with, sweep up the room without me asking, be the only one to clean up a mess, etc.  I wanted to find something that I could hand to these children for being so kind and I thought a Brag Tag would work in any grade level.

The 2nd one I had imagestuff.com make was Best Effort.  As a sub there are times when I get children who just won't try to do their work.  They whine or say "I can't."  I wanted something to be able to give a student who shows that they are going to try no matter how hard the work is.  The brag tags seemed to be the best bet so I had them design me for Best Effort.

I have so far subbed in classes with Kindergarten through 2nd graders and their eyes lit up each time I handed a child one.  They thank me so much and say that they love it.  They love that I included my name.  I was told by one teacher the child wore is Best Effort one to school the next day.  This was a child who typically whines at me because I won't spell a word for him.  He didn't whine once the whole day so I surprised him with the Brag Tag!

You can get brag tags for attendance, character, academics, awards for field trips, etc.  They come in a variety of different shapes: hearts, shamrocks, dog tags, skateboards, circles, etc.  You can pick from ones that are already designed or personalize your own!  The delivery was quick.  They hold up well with the chains that you can purchase for an additional cost.  Children can wear them or put them on their backpack.  They are a hit for me as a sub and I have no doubt they will be for you.  I plan to use them with all grade levels through 6th grade!

Have you ever used Brag Tags?  If so how did it go?  If not, how could you use the Brag Tags in your classroom?

Disclaimer: I was given some Brag Tags to use for this review.  I was not paid any money and I gave my own honest opinion. 

Thanks for hoppin' by Hopkins' Hoppin' Happenings.  Keep on smiling!

Positive Fridays - Week of February 4th, 2012

The busy beaver that is what you can call me this week as I worked all 5 days and they were full days not half days for the first time this school year!  I was busy like this last year all the time, but there were less subs and I also had a full month in an amazing 3rd/4th grade class and the short term with 5th grade.  Anyway Happy Friday to each of you.  I will get on with the positives!

Last Friday, I subbed in 3rd grade at one of the schools I frequently sub at.  I had subbed for this teacher last year and knew her plans would be excellent and I was right!

• I was greeted by the secretary and got my key for the room.
• I was also greeted by the wonderful 3rd grade team (2 of who I had subbed for this year) and another teacher next door who was very helpful!
• The children learned about solids, liquids, and gasses and fractions among other things.
• I had children come up and tell me that I am nicer than their teacher.
• Some told me they want me to always be their sub, which is always so sweet to hear.
• They asked me if I would play kickball with them outside and be the pitcher so I did and had a blast!  It was one of my favorite childhood games.
• They were also excellent workers.
• I also saw my favorite 2nd grade class at lunch and when walking the 3rd graders back from lunch.  They were so excited yelling my name and giving me hugs.  They always fill my bucket!

Monday, I had a 45 minute trip to work in 1st grade for a class I had subbed for before (the only other time I have been to the school).

• I was immediately greeted by the office clerk and secretary and got my key to the room.
• Several of the children remembered me and said good morning Mr. Hop, you subbed for us before!
• Their behavior was absolutely excellent.  They work hard and get everything done.
• They were learning a lot about the weather and the changes that weather can bring.  We had great discussions about volcanoes, floods, earthquakes, etc.  
• They told me they always want me to be their sub and that they really like me.  Some gave me hugs and a couple made me some sweet things one was a heart that said "I live (love) you."  That child hardly even spoke and gave one word answers when I tried to talk to her so I didn't know until then what she thought of me!
• The first grade team was wonderful and supportive!  One of which I went to college with to be a teacher!  Way cool!

Tuesday, I had almost a 40 minute trip to the school I began my career at in 3rd grade.  I am really doing a lot of work in 3rd grade this year!  I have fallen in love with it and I really think it's a grade I would love to teach despite the high stakes testing and extra paperwork.

• I got my hug from the amazing office clerk who was there when I taught at the school!  She's one in a million.  I also was thanked by the secretary for coming in and helping out today and got my key.
• The 2nd grade teacher next door welcomed me.  Another 2nd grade teacher asked if I could work for her in March and took my name and number!
• When I opened the door for the kids a few kids came by who I had subbed for previously and said hi or gave me hugs, which is always so sweet!  One asked when I would sub for them again and I told her to go beg her teacher!
• The students learned about climate and used a map key, compared and contrasted during a reading story, and worked with tangrams in Math for geometry.
• I got a hug from a sweet student who I subbed for last year and is the sister of a child I taught my 2nd year of teaching.

Wednesday, I was closer to home at one of my favorite schools that I frequently sub at in 2nd grade.

• I was greeted by the awesome office clerk and secretary and got my key.
• The teacher next door was super helpful and helped me find paper as there wasn't enough for morning work, otherwise the teachers plans were very well organized and super easy to follow and know what to do!
• This group also learned about the weather and also the benefits the sun gives us.  They also had fun measuring things around the classroom with a partner, and visualizing in reading. 
• One child was on a behavior plan and scored all, but 1 point.  She was amazing and did all of her work for me.
• I had a small group of students who did an activity from Teachers Pay Teachers! :-)  They had to unscramble sentences and were so well behaved and did it so quickly that I read "Have You Filled A Bucket?"  They enjoyed the story and were excellent listeners.
• The rest of the class worked hard as well and were respectful.

Thursday, I was also closer to home at another of my favorite schools that I frequently sub at, but this time in 4th grade.  I subbed for this teacher last year and also this year a couple of times so I knew these children and knew the plans would be excellent.

• I was greeted by the wonderful secretary and given my key.  
• I was then greeted by one of the custodians who wants me subbing there daily because of clean the room always is.
• The children came in and said hi and showed me their new pet Gecko.  One of the girls kept telling me he is cute.  They named him Spike.
• They had so much fun playing Writing Bingo, which used writing words like capitals, punctuation, similes, vivid verbs, metaphors, run on sentences, etc.  They also enjoyed quizzing each other for a Science test that they will have tomorrow and took a practice reading test today.
• As always this class works super hard, always finishes their work, and they never talk back to me.

Today, I'm in Kindergarten at the same school as yesterday.  I can't wait to have fun with this group.  I'll write about it next week.

So what positives do you have to share with us for the week?  Let us know in the comments below.  I always look forward to hearing about your students, your lives, and anything else that is positive.  The more positive we are the better place this world will be.  Don't you agree?

Thanks for hoppin' by Hopkins' Hoppin' Happenings.  Keep on smiling!

13 Tips On Teaching Kindness

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!  We need to work more as a country with getting along with each other.  The best way to start by doing so is to teach children kindness.  If they grow up being kind this world will be a better place.

• Do something to make a child smile.  They will smile back, which will make you smile!
• Ask yourself what have I done to fill a bucket today?  
• Ask yourself what are you doing for others?
• Laugh more
• Hug more
• Smile more
• Care more
• Tell the kids you love them.
• Teach children to work out their own problems in a nice manner by modeling I statements.
• Play more learning review games with them.
• Say yes more.
• Surprise them by eating with them.
• Play with them at recess.

These tips above will certainly help model kindness to your students and they are highly likely to be kind right back to you and their classmates.  Let's help make this world a better place like Martin Luther King, Jr. did.

Leave your tips for being kind in the comments below.  Also share with us what you did to be kind to a child today!

Thanks for hoppin' by Hopkins' Hoppin' Happenings.  Keep on smiling!

Positive Fridays - Week of October 29th, 2012

Goodness it is already Friday and November.  Wow this year is flying by so fast!  I hope everyone had a terrific Halloween with your students whether you were able to celebrate or not.

Last Friday there was no school due to Tropical Storm winds from Hurricane Sandy.  I was looking forward to subbing a 2nd day in a row with those amazing 4th graders, but hopefully I'll get the chance to again in the future unless I find that perfect job first!

I did get to sub on Monday in 5th grade though.  The first group also had 6, 6th graders.  I had two different classes.  Positives include:

• A girl almost immediately called me over to ask if I had ever taught 5th grade before and I told her I did get to teach 5th grade for a short time last year and have subbed in 5th grade a few times last years.  She then told me how I was the nicest sub!  
• Due to missing Friday, the children mostly worked on spelling test and some reading tests.  They also finished up a Mayan report.
• The 2nd group of students I had were especially sweet, kind, and respectful.  They were so awesome at raising their hands as well.  They were one of the best groups I've subbed for in 2 years.  I look forward to hopefully coming back to sub for them.
• One of the 5th grade teachers told me that they will be using me again this year, so awesome to hear that!

Unfortunately, no subbing on Tuesday, but I got to sub in Wednesday in Music at the school I was at last Friday.

• The front office staff was so welcoming again and were so super helpful when I had questions.  They always have smiles on their faces!
• I had a fun day with the students as we sang "Purple People Eater," some groups got to hear a couple of Beethoven songs (a few didn't as the songs started skipping on me, grrr  Good ole technology it fails sometimes), and all grades got to have fun on the keyboards at the end.  It was so much fun to watch them all!  Their teacher was so amazing to trust a sub like me to let the kids use the keyboards, I sure didn't expect that!
• I had one of those 4 amazing 4th grade classes and they say hi cheerfully as they walked in the room.  Another class walked by when when I dismissed that class and a few of them smiled and said hi.  What great kids who knew how to fill my bucket!
• Last year I had a 1st grade class for a couple of days so some of the 2nd graders knew me and were so excited that I was back.

Thursday, I had the opportunity to sub in the afternoon in Music at a school that I have been to several times this school year.  I guess I'm Mr. Music man this week as many children called me at one school last year.

• The secretary and office clerk are always so welcoming with big smiles on their faces.  I really appreciate how they treat me and other subs!
• The teacher was there when I arrived and left me with super simple lesson plans of showing Bill Nye (sp?) The Science Guy.  We watched one on Insects and started another one on Space.  I had 4th grade and 6th grade.  They seemed to enjoy it, especially the 4th graders.
• Some of the students knew who I was from the school I used to teach at even though they weren't my former students or from subbing and seemed excited I was there, which was nice!
• I also had 5th grade who enjoyed a special presentation from a guest speaker who traveled around the entire Lake Michigan!  They were so engaged and asked some super questions!
• I also saw that special group of 2nd graders when they were on their way to computers.  They were so excited to see me, many jumping into my arms and calling my name.  One sweet girl said "Hey, Mr. Hopkins you put your hair short." haha  I said yeah I just got my haircut!  So cute!
• I also saw a parent outside at car duty who asked me if I saw her daughter today (2nd grader) and was excited that I had or she said her daughter would have been very disappointed.  Also, at dismissal two super sweet 4th grade girls came over to give me a hug and tell me they were the only children in the class to get honor roll.  One I am proud to say was a former student of mine!  Makes my heart proud! 

I am back in Music again Friday just in the morning at the same school as Thursday.  I'll be back with a report next Friday. 

In bloggy news, I just can't believe ya'll have visited my page almost 190,000 times that is insane.  Thank you all so very much!  I will hit that number sometime today.

Have a great weekend.  Please leave your own positives.  It would put a big smile on my face.

Thanks for hoppin' by Hopkins' Hoppin' Happenings.  Keep on smiling!

Bullying

There sure are a lot of sad things going on with bullying that have made the news and social media this summer.  I'm sure many of you have read and watched the sad video of the grandma being bullied by teenage boys on the bus.  There's also been many sad articles out there about children getting plastic surgery because they are getting bullied because of how they look!

Sometimes bullying is just name calling.  Other times it's constantly pushing, hitting, or kicking.  It can also be passing a note and asking others to check whether the child is nice or mean.  Maybe the child is excluding someone from playing in a game, not letting them help in a group assignment, or always picking them last during games.  It is bullying when it is continuous and there is an imbalance of power.

Each one of us have sadly either been bullied or we know of someone who has done some kind of bullying.  I'll share one such story that involved me growing up.  I remember in 6th grade, one day in the cafeteria I opened up my lunchbox and my chips and cookies were gone!  I figured maybe my mom had forgot to put my chips and cookies in my lunchbox.  Well the next day and the day after and so forth the same thing happened.  To solve the problem, I had to go to the teacher give her my lunch to hold on for me and my mom and I went grocery shopping and put some really hot stuff on the chips.  After a few days of that my lunch was no longer stolen.  Sadly sometimes you have to think creatively at stopping bullies.

What can you do in your class?  I am sure many of you have seen the awesome tip online that many have shared where you give each student a piece of paper.  They crumble up the piece of paper.  Then have them straighten and tell them to get out all the wrinkles.  Of course they can't.  Then you can explain that it is a good thing to apologize for what you said or did to someone that was hurtful, but it won't all go away.  They will have some scars for life.

I also found this floating around Facebook, no author was given, but it said to pass it on and I think it is really good advice.   Special advice to children as you go back to school: If you see someone who is struggling to make friends or is being bullied because he/she doesn't have many friends or because they are shy or not as pretty or not dressed in the most "in" clothes - PLEASE step up!  Say hi or at least smile at them in the hallway.  You never know what that person might be facing outside of school.  Your kindness might just make a BIG difference in someone's life.

I have also seen an inspiring poster that I think should be posted in every classroom and discussed with your students.  I made my own poster using it.  You can get your FREE copy by clicking on the picture!  I don't know who orginially came up with this, but if it's you let me know and I'll give you credit! 

I also suggest keeping your eyes out on the playground as that is where a lot of the bullying occurs along with in the lunchroom.  If a child says that someone won't let them play, then it is likely the start of bullying.  It's not fun to be excluded from an activity or always chosen last.  I've been in that situation a lot especially in middle school.  Together, we can put an end to bullying! 

What do you do in your classroom to try to stop bullying from occurring?

As always thank you for hoppin' by Hopkins' Hoppin' Happenings!  Keep on smiling!