Wiggle It!

Happy Wednesday, everyone! It's Lisa from Second Grade Stories, back with another fun post here at iTeachSecond - and with a little Win - It Wednesday! 

We are AL-MOST there! Yes, folks, while I know many of you are already enjoying summer vacation, I teach in one of the places still chugging along... June 19 is our last day and right now that seems like FOREVER!

I know this close to the end of the year, my kiddos are really in need of movement activities and breaks all day long. And that's actually been true for most of the year! I have found that since I started really incorporating brain breaks into our schedule in a purposeful way, I can keep my little ones focused longer and get them back on track by having a little break.  I'm a big fan of GoNoodle, The Learning Station and other websites like that, but sometimes I just want a quick one minute activity that breaks the wiggles and allows for a quick bit of downtime.  I have a set of popsicle sticks in my room with brain breaks, but I was poking around Etsy one day when I came across these cuties from a shop called "the idea box kids":

What is it? It's a Wiggle Box!  There are 40 double sided wooden coins, each with a fine or gross motor movement.  They are PERFECT for when you just need a little something to change the pace.  You can reach in the box and pull out, one, two, three.... do them one at a time or put them together in sequence for a fun motor break! And the best part is - every time is different!

I have to say, my kiddos LOVED these! I had our Helper of the Day pull out a couple to do while we were waiting in line for a couple minutes - instant attention and focus! Later, we pulled out four of them and created our own dance party moves.  Easy peasy!

Jennifer is the owner of "the idea box kids" and she  also has other boxes that are great for other fun times. Her "Teacher Box" has 60 quick little time fillers that are great for when you have just a few minutes to spare.  Play "Guess the Voice," "Practice Math Facts" or "Pretend You are Melting!" 

The coins and the box are small enough to keep anywhere in your room - and you could even put them in a small bag and grab them as you head out the door to an assembly, activity or anywhere you might have a few extra minute.

The coins come in a cute little brown box.

(Yes, I bought the Teacher Box, too!)

Here it is when it is first opened:

I love the little "fun" reference! Jennifer talks about her boxes being "secretly educational" along with creative and fun! And she has tons more boxes to choose from - there's an Adventure Box, a Story Box, a Scavenger Hunt box, a Quiet Box... I had a hard time deciding which one to purchase!

When I contacted Jennifer to tell her how my kiddos enjoyed her boxes, she generously agreed to give a box away to one lucky winner!  Just enter using the rafflecopter below and you could win your choice of a regular Idea Box ($17.99 value!) for you!  And if you want to check out Jennifer's Etsy shop, click HERE or on any of the images in this post.

The giveaway will run from today through Sunday, June 7. Good luck! And a special good luck wish to those of you still in school! Hang in there - summer vacation is coming soon!

a Rafflecopter giveaway