Transition & Sponge Activies
To keep a classroom running smoothly, transitions and sponge activities can be used to aid the flow of action in the classroom. Transitions direct the movement of the students from one lesson or class to the next. Sponge activities help to fill in additional time in the classroom. Sponge activities can be used with the whole class or a group of students, when the entire class is left with additional time, or individual students, who finish early. These activities are enjoyable for students and serve an academic purpose.
Transition Activities
Musical Transitions
Play classical, instrumental music as students transition between content areas. When the music starts, students stop what they are working on and put away any materials not needed for the next class. When the music stops, students sit quietly at their desk with their eyes on the teacher, ready to begin the next lesson.
Free Write
Once students finish working on one subject, have them begin to write on the next topic you will be teaching. Use the following prompts to guide writing:
Brain Gym
Between classes, have students stand up and do a brain gym activity, such as a hook up. These activities can calm students and increase brain activity. Students sit or stand, while crossing their left ankle over their right ankle. Students cross their left wrist over their right wrist and intertwine their fingers. Next, bend elbows outward and move linked fingers towards body, resting them on the sternum. Take deep breaths, while remaining in this position for a few minutes. (Beare, n.d.)
Discover more Brain Gym activities
Play classical, instrumental music as students transition between content areas. When the music starts, students stop what they are working on and put away any materials not needed for the next class. When the music stops, students sit quietly at their desk with their eyes on the teacher, ready to begin the next lesson.
Free Write
Once students finish working on one subject, have them begin to write on the next topic you will be teaching. Use the following prompts to guide writing:
- Write everything you know on the topic
- Write a list of questions you have on the topic
- Write your personal feelings on the topic
- Write how you think others will view this topic
Brain Gym
Between classes, have students stand up and do a brain gym activity, such as a hook up. These activities can calm students and increase brain activity. Students sit or stand, while crossing their left ankle over their right ankle. Students cross their left wrist over their right wrist and intertwine their fingers. Next, bend elbows outward and move linked fingers towards body, resting them on the sternum. Take deep breaths, while remaining in this position for a few minutes. (Beare, n.d.)
Discover more Brain Gym activities
Group Sponge Activities
Read Aloud
Read aloud to students. Short stories, poems, or a chapter of a book are great to read, when the class is left with a few extra minutes.
Charades
Play a game of charades, which can also be used as a review of material. Use spelling or vocabulary words, Science terms, Social Studies people or events, or review key aspects of another concept studied in the classroom. Write terms or words on individual slips of paper. Individual students or small groups of students draw a slip of paper and act it out. (Bear, 2009)
Spelling Chain
While standing in line, students spell out a word with each student saying one letter at a time. When the word is completed, the next student in line begins with the first letter of the next word. Use spelling words or key terms from other content areas. If a student says an incorrect letter, they must sit down. Continue until one student is standing. (Bear, 2009)
A to Z Countries
As a whole class, students try to name countries starting with the letter A through the letter Z. For example, "Argentina, Belarus, Cambodia..." If desired, students can find each country on a map and point it out to the class. (UC San Diego, n.d.)
Beach Ball Toss
On a beach ball, write questions pertaining to what the students have been learning. Throw the ball to a student, the student must answer the question their right thumb is touching. If the student needs help answering the question, a classmate may be called on to assist. After the student answers the question, the ball is tossed to another student. (Bear, 2009)
Map Hunt
Challenge students to find different locations on a map. Cities, countries, mountain ranges, oceans, continents, or other geographic features can be used. Provide clues to students if needed. (Markarian, n.d.)
Story Starters
Teacher tells students the beginning of a story and challenges students to finish it. For example, "After school, I had just walked in the front door, when I saw it." Students take turns adding the next line to the story until each student has had the chance to contribute.
Flash Card Race
Student stand in two lines and the teacher stands in front of the lines holding flashcards containing math facts, geography, vocabulary words, etc. As the teacher holds up a flashcard, the students in the front of the lines race to call out the correct answer first. Whoever answers first earns a point for their team. These students then move to the back of the line and the teacher holds up a new flashcard. Continue until all of the flashcards have been used. (Teach123, 2012)
Read aloud to students. Short stories, poems, or a chapter of a book are great to read, when the class is left with a few extra minutes.
Charades
Play a game of charades, which can also be used as a review of material. Use spelling or vocabulary words, Science terms, Social Studies people or events, or review key aspects of another concept studied in the classroom. Write terms or words on individual slips of paper. Individual students or small groups of students draw a slip of paper and act it out. (Bear, 2009)
Spelling Chain
While standing in line, students spell out a word with each student saying one letter at a time. When the word is completed, the next student in line begins with the first letter of the next word. Use spelling words or key terms from other content areas. If a student says an incorrect letter, they must sit down. Continue until one student is standing. (Bear, 2009)
A to Z Countries
As a whole class, students try to name countries starting with the letter A through the letter Z. For example, "Argentina, Belarus, Cambodia..." If desired, students can find each country on a map and point it out to the class. (UC San Diego, n.d.)
Beach Ball Toss
On a beach ball, write questions pertaining to what the students have been learning. Throw the ball to a student, the student must answer the question their right thumb is touching. If the student needs help answering the question, a classmate may be called on to assist. After the student answers the question, the ball is tossed to another student. (Bear, 2009)
Map Hunt
Challenge students to find different locations on a map. Cities, countries, mountain ranges, oceans, continents, or other geographic features can be used. Provide clues to students if needed. (Markarian, n.d.)
Story Starters
Teacher tells students the beginning of a story and challenges students to finish it. For example, "After school, I had just walked in the front door, when I saw it." Students take turns adding the next line to the story until each student has had the chance to contribute.
Flash Card Race
Student stand in two lines and the teacher stands in front of the lines holding flashcards containing math facts, geography, vocabulary words, etc. As the teacher holds up a flashcard, the students in the front of the lines race to call out the correct answer first. Whoever answers first earns a point for their team. These students then move to the back of the line and the teacher holds up a new flashcard. Continue until all of the flashcards have been used. (Teach123, 2012)
Individual Sponge Activities
Flash Cards
Students can review content from multiple subject areas using flash cards. Flash cards can contain math facts, states and capitals, vocabulary words and definitions, or other content questions. Give the student a timer and encourage the student to time themselves as they answer the questions on the flash cards. Then students can work to break their record.
Sudoku
Students who finish early can complete Sudoku puzzles. These puzzles are an engaging math supplement, which use critical thinking and logic to complete. Print Sudoku puzzles.
Crossword Puzzles
Students can complete a crossword puzzle, after finishing assignments. Crossword puzzles can also be customized to include the weekly spelling words or key terms from Math, Science, or Social Studies. Create your own custom crossword puzzle!
Mad Libs
Students fill in the blanks with the appropriate parts of speech to create wacky stories. Students can complete a Mad Libs story on their own or with a partner.
Download and print Mad Libs
Students can review content from multiple subject areas using flash cards. Flash cards can contain math facts, states and capitals, vocabulary words and definitions, or other content questions. Give the student a timer and encourage the student to time themselves as they answer the questions on the flash cards. Then students can work to break their record.
Sudoku
Students who finish early can complete Sudoku puzzles. These puzzles are an engaging math supplement, which use critical thinking and logic to complete. Print Sudoku puzzles.
Crossword Puzzles
Students can complete a crossword puzzle, after finishing assignments. Crossword puzzles can also be customized to include the weekly spelling words or key terms from Math, Science, or Social Studies. Create your own custom crossword puzzle!
Mad Libs
Students fill in the blanks with the appropriate parts of speech to create wacky stories. Students can complete a Mad Libs story on their own or with a partner.
Download and print Mad Libs