Sunday, September 30, 2007

P2F - Whistle While You Work

Day 16- Fri, Sept, 28: I like to keep my students on their toes. When they are working in groups, I use various methods of bringing order back to the class. Sometimes, it's turning off the lights or clapping a rhythm for them to complete. Occasionally, it's merely body language. Today it was the debut of a certain sound effect.

A few years ago, the teacher in the neighboring classroom returned from Puerto Rico with a bird whistle souvenir for me. When you blow in the birds tail, a high pitched squeal emanates from the hole in its back.

The true magic happens when you fill the hole with water. With liquid filling its innards, the bird's ear-wrenching becomes a warbling song.

Needless to say, the students stop dead in their tracks thinking they've been zapped into a tropical rainforest.

The funniest part was the other teacher also bought one for herself. She debuted hers the other day and amazed her students as well. She proudly announced to her students that she and I are the only teachers to have this in our school if not all of NJ!

There goes that P2F ripple effect again!

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