Micro-Moments

A classroom is a busy place.

Homework sheets, contests, tests, recess time, projects…the action is nonstop. In this thriving hive of activity, how can we find the time to build real, lasting relationships with our students? To encourage our students to foster relationships with each other? To connect with them on their level?

Introducing Micro Moments!

A curated collection of suggestions, ideas, activities, and projects that can fit into your classroom, in those small pockets of time that open up throughout the year. Designed to utilize each available moment as a connection building opportunity, these Micro Moments cards are easy, fun, and can be adapted to your classroom style and grade level.
Two extra minutes at the end of class? Day after midwinter vacation? School assembly finished early?
Pull out a card and turn those micro-moments into macro-opportunities!

Here are a few to get you hooked, or buy the full collection!

For the first day back after Pesach vacation:

STICKER DESIGN

Using round or rectangular blank labels, students design ‘bumper stickers’ or ‘doctor stickers’ that depict a scene from their vacaction/Yom Tov break. All stickers are then stuck onto a large oaktag/poster board for the students to view and discuss during recess.

Prompt Ideas:

Draw your family’s seder table, the game you played at your Chanukah party, the main idea of a new book you read over vacation, etc.

This is a welcome change from the standard ‘What did you do on Chol Hamoed?’ competition!

To keep the class going in the last few weeks of the year:

UNCOVER A REWARD

There is nothing like a group achievement to raise spirits and bolster connection! Create a poster with an incentive written on it in big letters. Cover the incentive with small papers/post its that have class acheivements written on them (lined up for recess quickly, davened beautifully as a class, passed up papers using the proper procedure, etc.). Each time the class as a whole completes one of the achievements, have a student peel off the corresponding post it. Watch the anticipation grow as the reward gets uncovered!

Incentive examples: Class ice cream party, extra 15 minutes of recess, trip to the park

Those last five minutes before recess….

PASS THE MIKE

Students pass a microphone (fake or imaginary) around the classroom. Each student shares her quick opinion on a topic/prompt that is given by the teacher.

Prompts:

What’s something you are looking forward to?

What was the most exciting thing that happened to you this week?

What do you want to do when you graduate?

Fun variation! Instead of using a microphone, use an item related to the time of year/day’s lesson. For example, Chanukah time, pass around a tall candle or a stuffed dreidel.

MORE TO EXPLORE

Behind the Desk to Director’s Chair

The elementary school teacher’s guide to putting on a class performance Siddur play, Chumash play, Purim play, Tehillim play, Birchas Yaakov performance, Rosh Chodesh assembly, seventh-and-eighth grade performance… Most elementary school teachers have one of the above written into their contracts. Opinions and feelings, when we took a poll, were mixed. Excellent advice was a’plenty. Read, enjoy and get equipped! The Upsides Nechama is a sixth grade teacher who’s been running her annual class play for many years. She sees firsthand the positive outcomes of the efforts she invests to make a beautiful performance where every student can truly shine. “A lot of girls really have hidden talents. Giving a girl the responsibility to take charge can show you a side of her you never knew existed. Pushing a shy student to take a role you know she is really capable of can open her up, turning her into

No Work and All Play…?

Kvetches, thoughts and tips on teaching through play season by teachers like you. Join ‘em The majority of teachers shared roughly the same game plan: Don’t fight them – show genuine interest and share in their excitement. Hindy acknowledges that teaching during production season is definitely compromised teaching. “It’s not just the missed class time – it’s a serious lack of focus.” Still, she believes that these few weeks mean the world to so many students and create their fondest high school memories. “Make peace with the reality of play season and lean into it,” she advises. Liba says that when she gives her students time to talk about the play, they feel like she’s “in on it”. She finds that the more she connects with their performance, the better they snap back into real learning in her class post-play season. Of course, she tries to attend either the

Chazak, Chazak, V’Nischazek!

A Siyum Summary The standard celebration for completing a perek or significant amount of learning is the ubiquitous siyum. Aside from serving as a major incentive for students to keep on learning with vigor, the siyum makes an important statement to our talmidos: Every part of Torah is precious, valuable, and immeasurably special – and your hard work to gain knowledge and understand is a simcha to be celebrated. If planning a siyum for your class is still a challenge, you’re not alone. Class dynamics, time, school policies and a host of other factors can make it a daunting task. Read on for valuable pointers from teachers who have their siyum systems down to a science. The White Shirt What’s a siyum without a white shirt? It’s important to keep track of the date – if Rosh Chodesh is the same week, it can be challenging for mothers laundry-wise.

Mommy and Me Workshops

Mommy & Me Day is a special opportunity to welcome mommies into the classroom and celebrate the powerful connection between home and school. It gives mommies a meaningful peek into what happens during the school day, while helping children feel supported, confident, and excited about their learning experience. Why is a Mommy and Me Day important? Strengthens home–school connectionWhen mommies step into the classroom, they better understand the school’s values, routines, and learning goals—creating a true partnership. Builds children’s emotional securityChildren feel proud, confident, and safe when their mommy is part of their school world, which supports emotional development. Encourages meaningful parent involvement Mommies experience hands-on activities and gain ideas they can continue at home. Enhances social and language skillsShared activities promote communication, cooperation, and expressive language in a natural way. Creates joyful, lasting memoriesPositive school experiences tied to family build warm associations with learning