We've never been particularly interested in the game of Dominoes, but we've become
avid
players of the Domino Effect Game.
Usually it happens during rug time, and centers around one friend
exuberantly
shouting out raising their hand to share something like, "I went to Disneyland yesterday.",
which immediately starts the "game"...Hands start flying and as each one
shares, we discover the
true superpowers seven year olds possess! It
is A-MA-ZING to hear that eight other friends also managed to do
exactly the same
thing as their friend did yesterday while sufficiently
cloning themselves to remain in school at the same time! We want that Super Power!
Ha!
But more often than not, especially as the weather begins to warm up and we're seeing the small signs of summer peeking over the horizon {insert major happy dance!!}, we find this Domino Effect Game has taken on a new strategy. Nowadays, our opponents are less likely to share their out of school activities and more daring in derailing our lessons by asking things like...
"Can I get a drink of water?"
We know full well that this is a loaded question and one that will most certainly determine our destiny as players in this Game. We are certain that our opponents are all waiting to see what the verdict will be - "Free Drinks for All!" or "No Water For You!"? We know full well, this simple request by one is a cause for the greater good. If we grant the wish of this one friend, we know the dominoes will fall and we might as well just hook up the hydrant, because they are all going to be soooo thirsty as soon as we say yes. :)
We have battled with this procedure in our own class for quite some time. We truly believe there is a time and a place for fulfilling their basic necessities during the school day, but we also realize that at times we are Keepers of those needs, dictating when and where they can partake.
So this year, we decided to implement a strategy of our own and end this lil' game once and for all...or at least try. :) On the first day of school, we provided each student with their own reusable water bottle to be kept on top of their desk. We picked these up at the 99 Cents Store.
We wrote each student's name and number on their bottle and they keep them up on top of their desks. Though they are not free to drink whenever and wherever they'd like, they have learned to be responsible with their water bottles in class.
When we are working at our tables, we encourage them to stay hydrated and drink their waters as they need. As time allows, we give them permission to refill their water bottles at the class water fountain.
Our main concern when starting this new procedure, was the spills. We began the year by stocking up on paper towels and making at least 10 extra copies of every worksheet, just in case. But, they have really surprised us. Aside from the occasional dribble, we have only had 1 major spill all year. That's a pretty good track record, we think!
We also debated about the cleaning procedure. Surely, we weren't going to bring them home each week and clean them! So we came up with a
Water Bottle Clean Up system for the class.
Each student is responsible for and very capable of washing their own water bottles. We stick this sign up by our sink each time, post a class list for the kids to cross off as they go and call the next friend...It pretty much runs itself. It does take an entire school day to get through everyone's water bottle, but the few minutes the kids take to wash their bottles are well worth the time wasted getting up in the middle of lessons to quench their thirst.
We couldn't find the original file to share, so we created a new one.
Click
here to grab a copy for yourself.
Christy & Tammy
