Are you looking for creative ways to keep your students engaged and focused during class transitions? Look no further! In this post, you will find 21 unique ideas to help make transitions smoother and more enjoyable for both you and your students!
Transitions between activities or lining up can often be challenging. However, with these creative class transition ideas, you can keep your students excited and engaged throughout the day.
Don’t let transitions become a dull or chaotic time in your classroom. Discover these 15 creative class transition ideas today and watch as your students thrive in their learning journey!
Transitions between activities or lining up can often be a challenging time for students to stay focused and attentive. It’s common for students to become easily distracted and act silly during these periods. However, with the right strategies in place, you can use these moments to maximize learning time.
Smooth transitions keep students engaged, minimize lost instructional time, and create a positive classroom environment. Creative class transitions also foster a sense of community and collaboration among students. When transitions are well-managed, children can quickly switch gears and transition from one activity to another without wasting time or losing focus. This makes classroom management easier for you and makes learning time more valuable for your students.
Sing Along
This is one of my favorite class transitions. As students are moving toward the carpet or gathering area, begin quietly singing a familiar tune like a nursery rhyme or favorite class song. Students can sing along as they move. The combination of music and movement keeps them focused and engaged.
Gathering Chants
At the end of a class transition to the floor or rug, use fun chants to get students focused and ready to learn. My favorite chants incorporate a familiar tune or movement to engage students. Click here to download our Gathering Chants for FREE now!
Play Catch
For this creative transition idea, you will need something soft to throw. You could try a foam ball, small plush animal, koosh ball, or squishy toy. This works great when students are coming to a meeting area. When a student is sitting down and quietly waiting, toss them the object. The student will gently toss it back to you. Repeat until multiple students have had a turn and everyone is ready. I avoid tossing it to students who are off task or calling out for a turn.
Secret Student
Before a class transition, choose a student name or number. Don’t show the class who was chosen. Throughout the transition, keep an eye on this student to see if they follow the directions. I only tell my class the Secret Student if that child is a winner. It might sound like this. ” I noticed the Secret Student quietly got out their dry erase board and marker. Then I saw the Secret Student walk to their spot and sit down. The Secret Student is Ben.”
Talking Time
This idea might sound crazy, but hear me out! Sometimes children just have something really exciting they want to talk about with their friends, or they just need a quick break. Introduce “Talking Time” by setting a timer for 2-3 minutes, and give students a couple minutes to talk to each other. While they’re chatting, join a couple conversations. They love having a little special time with you! When the timer goes off, they will be much more likely to focus and be ready to learn again.
Magic Word
Let your class choose a magic word. It could be Abracadabra, Shazam, Axolotl, or any other word that they think is really special. Any time they hear you say the magic word, everyone needs to freeze and get silent. It will probably take a little practice to master, but this strategy is perfect for the end of a class transition. Plus, kids love to perform their “Magic Trick” for special guests and classroom visitors.
Line Up Chants
If lining up makes your blood pressure rise, you’re not alone. Using line up chants gives students a positive way to channel their energy while quickly and quietly getting ready to walk out the door.
To keep things interesting and engaging, I have lots of different chants that I use throughout the year. Hang them on a binder ring by the classroom door so you can quickly grab them and engage your students with a line up chant.
Tap & GO!
This line up activity builds classroom community. The teacher will tap one student who is quiet and ready to line up. That student quickly and silently taps another student before getting into line. The pattern continues and each student silently taps another student before joining the line. See how quickly and quietly you can get the whole class ready for the hallway.
Mirror
When the whole class is in a line, play mirror. Silently show students a motion and they will need to do the same motion. Repeat with a few motions before modeling what your body should look like before leaving the classroom. Everyone should be ready to go!
Hallway Hush Puppies
Get your students excited about lining up quietly with Hallway Hush Puppies! As students are lining up, watch for one or more quiet students who look ready for the hall. Give those students plush puppy snap bracelets to wear on their arms while walking in the hallway. You will want to set an expectation that the puppies are just along for a ride. They can’t be used for play while walking. At the end of your transition, the Hallway Hush Puppies get returned quickly.
Visual Schedule
Managing transitions within your classroom can be challenging! Display a visual schedule and take a few minutes to review the schedule each morning. Make students aware of any new events or changes. For younger students, print a picture of a bunny or frog. Use this character to hop down the schedule throughout the day.
Transition Optimist
An optimist is someone who is always looking for the best in every situation. Before a class transition, choose one student to be the Transition Optimist. This child will come to the front and watch the other students throughout the transition. They will only be looking for someone who is doing their BEST! After the class transition, the Transition Optimist will name one student who followed all of the directions. You can decide if and how to reward that child for a quiet class transition.
Follow the Leader
Before a class transition, choose one student to model what you want to see. While that student is modeling, orally narrate what you see. This quick reminder is the perfect visual for students who need extra support. It might sound like this. “Let’s watch Abby clean up her center. I like how she’s using gentle hands to put the math mat and connecting cubes into the bin. I wonder if she will remember to put the bin away? Yep! She’s using walking feet and carefully putting the bin on the shelf. Let’s watch to see if she sits down quietly at her seat.”
Class Pledge
If you’re really struggling with one transition, make a class pledge! A few years ago, my students were having trouble at the end of recess centers. To support them, we wrote a class pledge and hung it at the front of our classroom. Every day before clean up time, we all stood up and read the pledge together. It was an easy reminder of expectations.
Soundscapes
If you’re looking for a quiet class transition, open YouTube and play a soundscape. Soundscapes are recordings of natural sounds, such as rain, waves, or birdsong. Students will need to move quietly so everyone can hear the sounds. This creates a calm and relaxing environment.
BIG Breaths
Help students relax and focus during class transitions with BIG breaths. As students are moving help them focus on taking a big breath in and letting a big breath out. After moving, you can even play a quick guided breathing video like Bunny Breath on YouTube.
Quiet Critters
Keep students motivated to transition quietly in the classroom with Quiet Critters. These could be small plush animals for individual student desks or a larger plush for quiet tables.
Theme Songs
Choose different songs for class transitions. After centers, you might like Clean Up Robot. Before your reading block, try the Reading Rainbow Theme Song. When transitioning to math, play a numbers song like this skip counting song. When the songs are over, children should be quiet and ready to listen.
Beat the timer
Set a timer for class transitions. Students move quickly to see if they can be ready before the timer goes off. You can always shorten the time or add a whole class reward to keep this transition activity fun and engaging.
Movement Cards
If you want to add a little fun to your class transitions, use movement cards. Pick one card to show how students must move. Maybe they will move silently like a ninja, walk like a muted robot, or tip toe like a mouse.
Classroom Doorbell
Save your voice during transitions with a wireless doorbell. You can choose the chime that works best for your students. Press the button as a signal to start a transition or get quiet. There’s even a Classroom Set of Doorbells so each direction can have a special cue! The Ring Leader can be a student who gets to press the buttons!
Regardless of what class transition strategy you choose, your students will need to practice, practice, and practice some more. Make sure children understand why it’s important to get ready quickly and safely. Be sure to explicitly go over your routines and review your expectations throughout the year. This will SAVE you so much time and energy!
I’m a teacher who believes in creating a classroom kids love and activities that keep them engaged all day!
©2019 Polka Dots Please. All Rights Reserved. Designed by Ashley Hughes.
2 Responses
Love!
These are all awesome ideas! Thank you.