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Monday, February 4, 2013

WOULD YOU LIKE A MAGIC WAND?


My blog the other day called “Abracadabra” reminded me of a magic wand I used to make.  You’ll need a cardboard roller from a pants hanger, aluminum foil, and glitter for this project.  Tear off a piece of aluminum foil and roll it around the pants hanger.  Tape in place.  Dip one end in glue and then roll in glitter.  Dry.  Taa daa!  (You can make one wand for yourself or let all the children make their own wands.)

So, what’s the point? 

*Students can use the wand to read the room.  One student points to a word (letter, color, shape) while a friend reads.

*Students can track print in big books and on charts with the wand.

*When children can count to 100, they can demonstrate with a “Zero the Hero” magic wand.

*You can do invisible writing in the air with the wand.

*Use the wand as a springboard for stories about what they would do if they had a magic wand.

*When you want the class to be quiet wave the wand in a circle and say, “Hocus pocus.”  Children all look at you and make imaginary glasses around their eyes (thumbs and index fingers) as they respond, “Everybody focus!”
 
Make mini magic wands with a chopstick, glue, and glitter.  Just dip the end of the chopstick in glue, roll in glitter, and dry.  These are great trackers for reading, finding details in illustrations, etc.

Glue a fake jewel to a craft stick to make a magic wand.

How about a “magic e” wand to put at the end of CVC words to make the long vowel sound?