Author Archives: dkindig

Activation Strategies are frequently effective with youngsters who struggle with attention, executive skills, and/or working memory. I want my student to experience the fierce attention she displays when she’s doing a physical act, such as cartwheels, and gradually transfer it to … Continue reading →

Work has begun on this year’s Focus Week. Videos of current and past Focus Weeks have “FW” at the beginning, so please feel free to follow along.  I’m on the Committee to create the environment of a Desert in the … Continue reading →

We just added this to our favorite way to practice math facts or sight words: Power Towers! You get to stack the Dixie Cups if you can answer the fact (or name the sight word) on the bottom of the cup. … Continue reading →

A student that needs to move and compete to keep her attention activated might love a Spelling Relay. Put their words up on one wall, numbered 1-12. Roll two dice, and that’s the word they have to run down and … Continue reading →

Do you have a “Work Smarter Strategies” List on your front wall? You can add to it as you (and the students) think of them. Have some on the list to begin with. Here’s a good start: Work Smarter, Not … Continue reading →

I’ve been helping in Third Grade a lot, but no project ever was this exciting for the kids. They went “off the grid” using solar power and LED desk lights. The building of the lamps out in the Commons: Gr.3 … Continue reading →

Yesterday was the hundredth day of school for our primaries. Here’s a look at some of the activities we did in Primary A, and a “100 Steps” activity with Primary C. Some tips about uploading to Vimeo, which accepts High-Definition … Continue reading →

WAYS TO ASK FOR HELP By the time you get to Third and Fourth Grade, you aren’t supposed to be perfect and know everything. But you ought to get better at asking for the kind of help you need. “I … Continue reading →

Banana Game Get a roll of raffle tickets that have the same number on both ends of each ticket. Find a paperback book that is the learners’ interest level and no harder than one year above their instructional level. Read … Continue reading →

Work Smarter, Not Harder. Wherever You Are, BE There. Make a Chart or Diagram. Look Ahead. Solve a Simpler Problem. Don’t Worry About what Doesn’t Matter. Know Your Trouble Spots.  Ask for What You Need. Talk It Out Loud. Pretend.