Finger Warm Ups

Many elementary school students seem a little confused when they are asked to attach paperclips to sets of class papers or clip their homework together.  It's easy to show them the two "smiles" in the paperclips and remind them that one "smile" goes in front of the paper and the other smile goes behind.

If you're working with a student who doesn't mind being silly, invent names for the groups of different color paperclips--the "Peppermints," the "Bumblebees," and so on.  Ask the student to sort the paperclips into groups/families and then slide them onto different sides of the "table."

Now, the student is better at using a typical classroom "tool" and their fingers are warmed up for other fine motor activities at school.