The school year is a few weeks in now and the students in my school and the teachers are trying to settle into a rhythm. It turns out though, that rhythms can be very hard to establish. I never realized how much effort goes into just getting kids used to how the day progresses. So much of the day gets practiced so that future days will run smoothly. Students practice coming to centers and leaving centers, lining up, walking in the hall, getting drinks, coming to the rug, it is amazing how much work goes into make the class run smoothly.
Rhythm is evident in my clinical, not only in the repetition throughout the day, but also in one of the classroom activities I've grown to love. My host teacher uses this website called Go Noodle to get the kids moving and to keep them attentive. There are a bunch of different songs and dances that the students (and teachers) have a blast doing and I'm so glad she introduced me to this website. I remember being in school and being forced to stay at a desk or sit "criss-cross applesauce" on the rug. It is refreshing seeing kids up and moving and BEING KIDS.
My latest favorite thing is the alternative seating my classroom has for the students. My host teacher has about 10 yoga balls (some with little feet) and these stools called wobble chairs that let you wobble back and forth and spin around. At first I was very dubious about presenting seven and eight year old kids with yoga balls and wobble chairs in a classroom, but now I think it is a great idea. The kids understand that using the alternative seating is a privilege and they take that privilege very seriously. Alternative seating also gives students a chance to move around a bit while working on their academics without disrupting the class.
Be it getting into a classroom rhythm or a rhythm while doing Go Noodle dances, it is important for our students to be active and engaged during their time spent in the classroom.
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