The Active Animals Game -- "Join the Herd!" Ages 6-7
What's included
1 live meeting
40 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
"Join the herd...but not until it's your turn!" In this fun and active class, your learner will work to build their focus, self-control, and waiting skills while also supporting color and shape recognition. Animal lovers will also enjoy animal facts, movements, and vocalizations which are a large part of this game. In this class, we will: 1. Share some things about ourselves as an icebreaker activity. 2. I will use a wheel spinner to help us choose each learner's special color (working beyond primary and secondary colors). 3. Learn the rules of the game. 4. Briefly learn interesting facts about the first animal, then what we are to do (action, vocalization) according to our rules. 5. Play the game! 5. After our first animal, we will continue on with other animals, what we are to do as individuals and in "the herd" and will keep playing. 6. After one or two rounds, we will add shapes to the game (moving beyond the very basic shapes), along with colors, and add to our rules. We will also let our wheel pick our shapes and new colors. 7. The game will continue with these additions and various new animals (and we'll have to focus hard so we're not tricked at times!). I'm an energetic, warm, and patient teacher who loves to see learners enjoying themselves while practicing skills (but shhh, they just think they're having a blast!) This game is a brand new activity developed by my creative 12-year old son (who has also brainstormed and supported another well-loved game in an ongoing class) and me. Kids know what kids like!
Other Details
Supply List
Learners will need space behind their screens to move around safely in a place that won't bother others with their movements and noises.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from State University of New York College at Brockport
Hello, I'm Ms. Jen (she/her)! I love learning and growing, and have a passion for teaching and passing along what I know to children and teens. I've been doing it in various ways for over two decades! Outschool is the perfect way for me to do exactly what I love most and I truly consider this to be my dream job. Thank you for being on Outschool so that teachers like me have the honor of playing a part in your child's growth.
I'm teaching classes around all aspects of mental health, from fun and engaging classes around impulse control, coping skills, growth mindset, and self-esteem, to social-emotional learning that I believe every child would benefit from.
I also teach classes around my own special interests and hobbies, engaging children in fun learning activities that I've used in my decades of work with children. These topics include Gardening, STEAM activities, How to Learn, and Brain Games.
I graduated college with dual four-year degrees in Psychology and English, Creative Writing, also completing the Honor's Program. I'm a Qualified Mental Health Professional with children in the state of Virginia.
For eight years, I was both an Intensive In-home and TDT Counselor in public schools, supporting youth with severe behavioral challenges, anxiety, depression, ADHD, etc. I have a wealth of experience with children who are neurodiverse, especially those who are autistic, ADHD, and/or with Tourette Syndrome. I've also served and supported many LGBTQIA students. All are 100% welcome in my classroom.
I successfully homeschooled my neurodivergent son in K & 1st grade, and after some public schooling have returned to homeschool for 8th and now 9th grade as well.
I was a business owner and teacher of a Montessori-inspired preschool and have an internationally read blog on Montessori-inspired activities, which was featured in a book and many websites. In my earlier years, I worked as a beloved nanny for several families, and also as a daycare and wrap-around Kindergarten teacher. I've loved creating enjoyable and educational activities for children since I began babysitting at age 12!
I truly enjoy making positive connections with the children I teach and making each child feel special, heard, and welcome in my classroom. I believe that learning should be fun, and I hope to inspire in my students a further curiosity about themselves, the world, and people around them. I also believe that learning is life-long and extends beyond the usual classroom. Many of the classes I teach are what I wish could be included in every public school child's education for the development of a mentally healthy and well-rounded youth!
In my spare time, I love hiking, fossil hunting on the beach, biking, vegetable gardening, exploring new places, yoga, board games, reading, writing, watching S. Korean dramas, and acts of kindness. I love cooking (but am terrible at baking). I have a teenage son as well as a kitten and young cat recently adopted from a shelter. I'm clicker training them which is fun for all of us! Before the pandemic, we enjoyed volunteering with the SPCA. I've lived in four states and thirteen towns and cities -- I enjoy meeting new people and exploring different areas of the country. My biggest dream is to somehow become terribly wealthy so I can travel the world and meet and learn from people from all different cultures.
Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$9
per classMeets once
40 min
Completed by 3 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 6-7
3-6 learners per class