Wednesday, June 3, 2015

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":
https://www.etsy.com/shop/theideaboxkids
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.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/theideaboxkids
(Yes, I bought the Teacher Box, too!)

Here it is when it is first opened:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/theideaboxkids
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

32 comments:

  1. I LOVE my daily emails! Great ideas, giveaways, and more! Thank you!!

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  2. What a great idea! I love to "sneak" in a little fun each day!

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  3. These are great not only for a classroom but for summer camp "mini fill ins"!

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  4. My class loves GoNoodle. I also like doing math games with students getting in pairs. Each child holds up his/her fingers to represent a number 1-10. The first child in the group to add the two "digits" correctly gets a point. Thank you for this offer.

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  5. Thanks for introducing me to these great products! My kids like to do s quick "workout" for a brain break.

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  6. Go noodle is my brain break go to!

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  7. My second-graders like to combine movements with would you rather questions. For example, if you pick choice one, do 10 jumping jacks. If pick choice two, do 10 push-ups.

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  8. My students love playing Four Corners for a quiet brain break. Students stand in one of the four corners of the classroom. You decide the names for each corner - #1, 2, 3 and 4. One students closes their eyes and counts out loud to 10. Before opening their eyes they say either Corner #1, 2, 3, or 4. All students standing in that corner return to their seats. Play continues until one student is left. They become the counter for the next game. Try it - your student will love it!

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  9. We like to throw a soft ball or Mr. Potato and go over math facts we are learning. The kids enjoy it and it allows them to move around and learn at the same time :)
    Lori Merri

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  10. I love the Idea Boxes!!! What a great idea. If I don't win, I think I might just buy my own!

    Lori
    LIve, Laugh, Love Second

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  11. Love these! So cute and would be able to use them at different times in my classroom!

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  12. I love going on nature walks or go noodle!

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  13. I like to get the kids up and moving for brain breaks....they are so rowdy these days! Thanks for the chance!

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  14. Super cute! My favorite brain break is anything from Go Noodle...especially Pop Se Ko and Rollercoaster! :)

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  15. I love this concept !! Good for a sub to carry in her bag .

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  16. My class likes to play Four Corners, Hokey Pokey and If You're Happy and You Know It.

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  17. Love the boxes...as a new teacher always looking for new ideas...might have to buy one if I don't win

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  18. We love to do pick a yoga pose from my ABCs of Yoga poster. They love the make up your own one. :)

    Mrs.B's Classroom Adventures

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  19. My kiddos absolutely love doing GoNoodle as a brain break!

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  20. In my kindergarten class (I just finished sending my 5th group of kindergartners out the door :(), we love gonoodle.com. Unfortunately, technology isn't always that reliable!

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  21. I like to have my kids jog in place as they solve simple addition or multiplication problems.

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