Set up an office center in your classroom with calendars, stationary, note pads and charts. Use this center to encourage the children to develop writing skills as they write letters to each other, make notes for office staff, or plan upcoming events. Set up a mail box near your group time where children can drop off mail. Think about creative ways to use the mailbox, beyond writing letters to each other. For example, after reading "The Three Billy Goats Gruff" (many versions are available), ask the children to write an advice column or letters to the troll, offering tips for changing his ways. Practical writing opportunities provide valuable writing practice, and also help the child understand the intrinsic value of writing as a means of communication.
Foster a feeling of community within the classroom by setting the expectation that "in our classroom, we all work and play together." Set up a job chart in your group time area and discuss daily responsibilities, changing them frequently so every student has an opportunity to do each job. Duties might include sweeping or vacuuming the floor, cleaning the paintbrushes and art materials, watering plants, or feeding the pets. Ask the children to spend time occasionally organizing the various learning centers in the room. This process creates a feeling of unity, and also teaches children practical skills.
Group projects and pretend center activities are an effective way to offer real-life math practice. For example, during a unit on money, set up a store in your classroom. Create jobs so the children can earn money, and then allow the children to spend the money at the store. Stock the store with small candies, stickers or toys. During a unit on measuring, give the children tape measures and ask them to measure various items around the school. Track their measurements in a notebook to give to the building supervisor, who may need the measurements to fix things. Cooking projects also offer many opportunities to practice math.
Children don't always instinctively learn how to work together and share. Spend time actively teaching your students strategies for working with others. At group times, use puppets to act out common conflicts, such as sharing a toy. Ask the children to list strategies for solving a problem, and then show the puppets using those strategies. For example, when a child is feeling left out, he can invite a friend to play, start a new game, or ask friends if he can play. If a child wants a toy that someone else has, he can ask for a turn, play with something different, or ask an adult for help. With a bit of direct instruction, children learn to resolve conflicts peacefully.