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    • word consciousness
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    • numbers
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    • science experiments for kids
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      • st. patrick’s day
      • april fool’s day
      • easter
      • mother’s day
      • teacher appreciation
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quick trick: keeping kids busy in line

home / family life / parenting / behavior management / quick trick: keeping kids busy in line
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This Quick Trick is one of those that works only when I use it only occasionally. It’s one that helps every so often to distract Maddy, Owen, and Cora from the actual task at hand–waiting in line.

Whether it’s at the grocery store, at Costco, or the bank, time in line can be brutal for little ones (and okay, let’s admit it–their over-tired parents).

The errands that once took 15 minutes sans kids often takes an hour with little ones in tow, and on days when there’s more than one stop, even the most simple errands can be brutal unless we plan ahead. And everyone knows that’s not always possible.

So while shopping last week for a new loaf pan for our Zucchini Bread, I desperately needed to pull out some tricks for passing time in the long line. Here’s what we did:

  • Find Your (*insert body part*) First: Sounds crazy, a little questionable, maybe even a little inappropriate for passing time in line, but it works for my kids and it teaches them–or reminds them, in some cases–of the parts of their body.

Usually if there’s a half dozen people in front of me and tons of enticing impulse items on the shelves from me to the check-out, I’ll say, Okay, let’s see who really knows the parts of their body. . . find your ankle bone!

And if the items on the shelves aren’t too awesome, if the stars are aligned, and if the kids are listening, they’ll turn to me and really quickly touch their ankle bones. Or they’ll turn and look at me with complete and utter confusion, look at whoever found the said ankle bone and copy that person.

Sure–Maddy and Owen (and Cora mostly) know the major parts of their bodies–the kids are 6, 5, and 3 for goodness’ sakes. But I use the time in line to make sure they know some not-so-obvious parts, the parts that aren’t part of a catchy kids’ song.

I’ve had them ‘find’ the following body parts (and I always throw in some easies along with the toughies just to keep up morale!):

  • ankle, ankle bone
  • elbow
  • thigh
  • calf
  • eyebrow
  • eyelash
  • cheekbone
  • chin
  • earlobe
  • nostril
  • wrist
  • elbow
  • funny bone
  • knee cap
  • nape
  • cuticle
  • biceps, triceps
  • jaw, jawbone
  • joint
  • knuckle

I’ve found that they like to show me they know the ‘tough’ ones and they like to learn new words for parts they already know. I haven’t hit them with ‘gluteus maximus’ yet, but I can imagine the giggles when I do. . .

And that’s that. An easy, spur-of-the-moment Quick Trick that takes no planning, little time, even less brain power, so that we (I) can actually make it from the line to checkout with some of semblance of sanity.

This list is hardly extensive. If you have a suggestion for a part I should add, let me know! Thanks and happy waiting in line!

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About amy mascott

teacher, mother, dreamer. lover of literacy, fun learning, good food, and three crazy-cool kids. finder of four-leaf clovers | dc metro ยท http://about.me/amymascott
tweet with me: @teachmama

Previous Post:kohl what? kohlrabi. seriously.
Next Post:international literacy day: cora cooks pancitbring books to life in the kitchen | cora cooks pancit | international literacy day

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Quick! Thereโ€™s still time to see if your area is registered to participate in this yearโ€™s National Civics Bee! #ad

Click the link in my bio to learn more and to grab a TON of free resources for families and educators. 

This yearโ€™s registration deadline is approaching, but you still have time! 

What better way to get students to engage in civics and contribute to their communities? 

https://teachmama.com/bring-the-national-civics-bee-to-your-community/

#CivicsBuzz #strongcommunities #middleschool #civicsbee #teachersofIG
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Have you heard of The National Civics Bee? #ad 

The National Civics Bee is an initiative aimed at encouraging more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. 

Organized in partnership with The Civic Trust of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the competition in your community will inspire middle schoolers to become better informed about American democracy, to engage respectfully and constructively in the community, and to build greater trust in others and institutions. 

Learn how to bring The National Civics Bee to YOUR community now: https://teachmama.com/bring-the-national-civics-bee-to-your-community/

Iโ€™m thrilled to have partnered with @mom_select and @civicsbuzz for this exciting campaign! โ™ฅ๏ธ๐Ÿค๐Ÿ’™

#CivicsBuzz #middleschoolers #teachersofIG #communitypartners
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(Itโ€™s what Rusty the ๐ŸฆŠ is currently reading.) 

Find it at your favorite bookstore or order here: https://amzn.to/3Pu3tWs

(This is my affiliate link, so when you use it, I will earn a small percentage of the sale, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for using my link and supporting my small business!)

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Here are the 3๏ธโƒฃ elements that reading instruction should contain in order to be most effective for students with dyslexiaโ€”

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Lately when I find four leaf clovers, Iโ€™ve been leaving them. ๐Ÿ€๐Ÿคท๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธ

So if youโ€™re in Maryland, and you happen upon a lonely, little 4-leafer with very little grass, weeds, or leaves around it, I donโ€™t know WHO tried to set you up for success.

#yougotthis #keepyoureyesopen #itsthelittlethings #kilpattyluck
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Okayโ€”how do we know if someone has dyslexia? 

Which professionas are able to make that important determination? 

โ–ถ๏ธ Watch to find out. 

Hit me with the questions you still have about dyslexiaโ€”and know we have a few more posts to go!

#demystifyingdyslexia #raiseareader #teachreading #readingteachersofig
View
Open
What are some of the common signs of dyslexia?

Watch to learn and find out!

#demystifyingdyslexia #readingteacher #raiseareader #teachreading #dyslexia
View
Open
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#demystifyingdyslexia #dyslexiaeducation #readingteacher #raiseareader #teachreading
View
Open
What do you know about dyslexia? 

What questions do you have about dyslexia? 

For the next few weeks leading up to my own start to the school year I am sharing a new series called โ€œDe-Mystifying Dyslexiaโ€ and I would love for you to join me! 

Follow in my stories or on the highlight above!

#dyslexia #teading  #readingteacher #raiseareader #demystifyingdyslexia

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