Fingers and Lights and Reading

You know when your principal is observing you and you're torn between doing the scripted phonics program you're supposed to be doing that you and all the kids have had enough of by May or by doing something new and exciting to prove that you're The Best Teacher Ever?

Yeah.

That conundrum.

While this was in the back of my mind, I was in Party City looking for prizes for our treasure box and I came across these nifty little finger lights.  They were a bit pricey for the budget I'd set for prizes, but I thought maybe I could use them in a lesson somehow, so I purchased them.

One of my ongoing challenges is getting my students to finger track.  Many of them are English Learners and struggle with reading for many reasons, so simply losing track would be an easy fix if they'd just follow along.  I've tried using different tools and strategies but they're just not interested.  It's especially unappealing when they have to follow along when someone else is reading. 

At some point it occurred to me to see if the lights would work to help track.  I took them out of the package and played around with them to see what the throw was like.

Then I thought I might as well try it.  Before I showed the kids, we talked about the difference between a tool and a toy and how I was bringing in a new tool to help them read.  Then I showed them one light and went down a list of what not to do, mostly for that one student who may or may not have taken my warnings as a list of new ideas. 

We don't shine them in our eyes.
We don't wave them in our friends' faces.
We take whatever color we're given.
We turn them off when we're finished.

After passing them out, we read our story and I have to admit, every single student was engaged from beginning to end.  Everyone knew where we were when it was their turn to read.  Nobody misused the tool.  Nobody complained about the color.  It was amazing!

The shine can wear off a new penny very quickly with first graders, so I made this a surprise tool that we weren't going to see every day with reading.  I did incorporate it into my observation lesson and my principal mentioned that she liked it and had never seen anyone do that before, so that pleased me.  The students really want them to go in the treasure box so they can take them home, but I'm resisting that right now.

Amazon has them in a larger quantity.  I think you can buy a box of 40 for about six dollars.  These were two dollars for each package of three.  With the observation looming, it was easier just to get a bunch at Party City than to worry about delivery dates.  I will probably buy more for next year.  They're marked on my Amazon wish list right now.

Until then, I think I'll keep stalking Party City for instructional aids!