1. By Shannon Gilson

2. Transition helpers Try some of the following to speed up your transitions. Make sure you practice each one with the class several times. Music Bells Clap a rhythm Stopwatch Sing a song Class…yes method

3. Self-esteem builders Community projects Games, i.e. compliment game Give children responsibilities Encourage interests Display artwork and projects Respect children Give challenges Show acceptance Work on building peer relationships

4. Reward systems Scholar dollars Sticker charts Penny jar Class compliments chart Ladder system

5. Start of School Activities Who am I? (bulletin board) Include child self- portrait and child fact sheet. Personality scroll: Construction paper they can decorate and write words describing themselves Ice breaker games: Animal names, Observation game, A tangled web Partner interviews: pair the children up and have them ask each other get to know you questions.