Specifically Kindergarten

Teaching kindergarten is completely different than teaching any other grade. This page is dedicated to helping kindergarten substitute teachers find helpful resources and feel more prepared. Remember, when all else fails, reading a book is a great option! If its a good one, a book will usually keep their attention for at least a short time.

Games:

*I Spy*

*Simon Says*

*Duck Duck Goose*

*The Hokey Pokey*

*Higher or Lower*

Choose and number between one and 10 and let children try to guess the number. Each time they guess incorrectly, tell them whether the actual number is higher or lower than the one they guesses.

*Actions in a Circle*

Students sit in a circle. One person is "the leader" - usually the teacher to start with. The leader starts by repeating an action (ex. clapping, tapping their legs, snapping) and everyone in the circle copies them. The leader can change the action anytime, and the class follows suit.

*Show and Tell*

This is a great activity to use when there is time to fill. Students can always come up with something interesting to show or tell.

*Make a Card for Their Teacher*

This works best when the teacher is sick. They can use construction paper and crayons to make a get well soon card for their teacher. If the teacher is away for another reason, they can make a "I Miss You" card.

*Make a Mural*

If there is free chalk board space, you can have the class make a mural! Or, if there is no chalk board space, you can tape together some white paper or large construction paper of a neutral colour. Have students come up one or two at a time to contribute to the class mural. Give it a theme, such as at the circus or underwater.

*Teach Them a Song*

Use one you already know, or there are lots of great songs out there to learn. Check out the links below for websites including children's songs.

*Yoga!*

Some teachers now are trying some simple yoga moves with their young students to get them invigorated in the mornings and after lunch. Show them some simple stretching moves and have them emulate. Once they have learned, let one of the students lead the class in the newly learned stretches.

*Start an Activity Using Something from the Classroom*

For example, check out the calendar. Is there a birthday coming up? Have students make birthday cards for that student. Have students draw a picture to show their favourite thing to do in the present season (ex. make a snow man, jump in leaves). Have them sit together on the carpet and think up sentences using words from their word wall.

*Read the Classroom*

With students sitting and watching from the carpet, walk around the room and point to words that are on the walls. Have the students read the words, or attempt to read them.

*Whats Behind Your Back?*

Collect a few small objects. Have students sit on the carpet and call up one volunteer at a time. The volunteer will get one of the small objects to put behind his/her back. The other students have to try to guess what is behind their back by asking yes or no questions (ex. is it white? is it soft? is it round). Who ever figures out what the object is gets the next turn to hold an object behind their back.

Books:

"Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See?" by Eric Carle

"The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle

"Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" by John Archambault

"The Napping House" by Don and Audrey Wood

"Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing" by Judi Barrett

"The Mitten" by Jan Brett

"The Great Kapok Tree" by Lynne Cherry

"Chickens Aren't the Only Ones" by Ruth Heller

"When I Was Five" by Arthur Howard

"If You Give a Moose a Muffin" by Laura J. Numeroff

"Tuesday" by David Wiesner