"We can thank an unknown teacher/consultant from the Texas
Education Agency for this list of activities she called
SPONGES. The term was originally coined and used by Madeline
Hunter. A "sponge" is an activity designed to produce learning
during the times taken up by "administrivia." These sponges stem
from her teaching philosophy that there should be no wasted moments
in her classroom. Therefore, she created these sponges to soak up
every valuable moment.
The concept of sponges has changed
names over time and place. Some teachers call them "bell work" or
'vocabulary builders.'
Whatever we call them, they are worthwhile
for many reasons. The links below provide many examples of sponge or
transition activitites." ( Dr. Jill Kerper Mora, San Diego State
University) |
 http://www.atozteacherstuff.com/Tips/Sponge_and_Transition_Activities/index.shtml
Several ideas to use during those tricky times of moving from one
activity to another.
http://coe.sdsu.edu/people/jmora/MoraModules/vocabularydev.htm
History
and definition of sponge activities, as well as a list of activities that
will strengthen vocabulary and concept development.
http://www.proteacher.com/020000.shtml
This site provides links for
substitute teachers, game ideas, and tips for encouraging critical
thinking and active learning in the classroom.
http://www.inspiringteachers.com/tips/management/sponge.html
Great
ideas for keeping students engaged during those in-between times!
http://www.glc.k12.ga.us/trc/
Here
are sponge activities as well as good tips for classroom management.
http://students.uwsp.edu/khiet085/mathsponge.htm
Short math
activities that take about 5-10 minutes to complete.
http://www.canyonisd.net/technology/techweb/teach.htm
Provides
direct links to many interesting websites.
http://www.lubbockisd.org/r2/SpongeActivities.htm
Another nice list
http://classes.seattleu.edu/masters_in_teaching/teed522/professor/Resources/sponge.html#resources
Bt subject and by activity!
http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/timefiller/contents.htm
For the spare moments.
|
Middle School, High School and All Level
Grades |
http://www.education-world.com/a_curr/curr359.shtml
This
site has a wide variety of activities and links.
http://www.units4teachers.com/
150 theme based resource pages with all kinds of activity masters
http://www.inspiringteachers.com/tips/packet/sponge.html
This
site has some good ideas, especially for middle school students.
http://www.citadel.edu/education/spongeactivities-lehr.html
This
site has a list of 30 topics students can complete; the topics are geared
to middle school and high school students.
http://classes.seattleu.edu/masters_in_teaching/teed522/professor/Resources/sponge.html
This
site has a wide range of activities geared to a variety of subject
matters. Some of the activities may need supplies.
http://coe.sdsu.edu/people/jmora/MoraModules/vocabularydev.htm
This
site has activities separated by two categories; upper grade and secondary
levels. Both lists have activities appropriate for the grade levels.
http://atozteacherstuff.com/tips/Sponge_and_Transition_Activities/
This
site has activities for all levels of students.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson168.shtml
This
site has a wide variety of ideas.
http://www.graf-es.eu.odedodea.edu/virtuallib/virtuallibrary-staff.html
This
site has a number of links, including links for sponge activities.
http://www.canyonisd.net/technology/techweb/teach.htm
This
site has activities for a wide range of grade levels.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/images/begin.html
This
site also has a wide variety of sites.
http://www.henry.k12.tn.us/teachersworkshop/managemnt.html#sponge
This
site has activities and valuable links for teachers and
substitutes.
http://pdonline.ascd.org/pd_html/bestl2intro.html
Introductory Activities
- including link to Two Minute Mysteries
http://tepserver.ucsd.edu/courses/tep129/EducationalSponges.pdf
Educational Sponge Activites
http://www.units4teachers.com/
150 theme based resource pages with all kinds of activity masters
Thanks to
Danee Pfeiffer and Teresa Tattersall, NISD Teachers,
for compiling this
list of Sponge Activities for the Substitute Teacher
Training Academy
on July 28 and 29, 2003. Original page was located at: http://www.nisd.net/hr/substitutes/sponge.htm.
Updated: 3/2/05
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