Happy Finger

I found out early in my teaching career,

kiddos will listen to a puppet better than they would listen to me.

Consequently I purchased many a puppet 
in my teaching life time,

some$ and some $$$$$.

I used them ALL the time—
to teach lessons, 
to help with behavior issues, 
to sing songs,
 to tell stories.

Then one day the school had to go on an immediate evacuation procedure and 
I had NO Puppet with me!

However I did have  a tissue and sharpie marker 
in my pocket--

VOILA!

Happy finger was born.

I now use Happy Finger all the time.

He talks to the kiddos and reminds them of appropriate behavior.

He sings

“Round and round

My finger goes

Where it stops

Nobody knows!”

and helps me choose kiddos 
to help or to share learning.

(The kiddos do not even question his selection 
as he does know best!)

He helps me teach lessons and ask questions.

He sings songs and reads stories.

He models pointing to words during shared reading.

He demonstrates segmenting and blending .

Yes, I still use puppets,

but Happy Finger is always there, ready to do his job.

Why does he work?

Happy Finger actively engages and motivates the kiddos.

The kiddos do not feel intimidated by him.
Happy finger is funny and playful.
He is one of them! 

I like Happy Finger because my hand does not get sweaty   
and he is not across the room when I need him.

A Disclaimer:

Happy Finger may have to go shopping with you after school—he is hard to remove some days!

Hint: He will help you choose healthy (or not) foods as well as help you select a new outfit that will look terrific on you!

He just twirls around and makes the selection--VOILA!