I should also ask, is there any picture directions or something for me to put in a center? I've seen something you can buy, but not going to a school spec. store anytime soon.
I ask that parents work on this skill at home (just like zipping coats & putting on snow pants). In my mind, it's a personal care issue. We can only do so much in a day. Our curriculum is MORE than enough. Our time is precious and I don't feel shoe tying is part of our goals. Most of my kids have velcro or come with double knots. I do, however, work on fine motor skills through literacy and math activities, as well as play opportunities throughout the day. This will support their work at home on shoe-tying.
I start telling them around this time of the year that Santa's gift to me is to not tie shoes anymore (unless its an emergency). I send home reminders and make a huge deal out of the kids who know how to tie shoes.
I have also gone to GoodWill and bought kids shoes. I nail them to pieces of 2x4 and let the kids practice tying at a center.
I also learned a good tip from Dr. Jean...to explain it I'll use the bunny analogy (criss cross, make a tree, around the tree, into the hole, pull the ears). When you go "around the tree," go twice and then into the hole. It's tricky for the kids, but it is as strong as a double knot and won't come undone or loosen. I use it and I love it!
About 15 yrs ago, tying was apart of my state "K" curriculum. Now w/ NCLB, our academic focus is more rigor (1st grade old curriculum).
Like MLS said - Now, I don't teach it at all. I leave that up to the parents. At school, if they shoe strings are loose either: I tie for them, let a buddy help them, or ask them to tuck it in their shoes until I get a moment to assist.
Now, I don't teach it at all. I leave that up to the parents. At school, if they shoe strings are loose either: I tie for them, let a buddy help them, or ask them to tuck it in their shoes until I get a moment to assist.
I teach 1st and still have several who can't tie. I wrote a quick note in my newsletter at the beginning of the year to make it a goal that everyone can learn to tie their shoes at home by December. This gives plenty of time and is just a gentle nudge. You could even have a show the teacher how you can tie your shoes day for a small prize! Send home another reminder before the day.
I don't really tie their shoes any more. It's not part of the curriculum and I think its something parents should be helping them with. Every week on their homework packet I remind them that they need to practice tying their shoes. As an incentive once they learn to tie their shoes they get to color a shoe and hang it on the wall. It has been a big help and about 9 out of 19 can now tie their shoes and the rest are working hard to do it on their own!
I don't teach them how either... and I usually won't tie them unless the untied shoe is becoming a problem (recess, PE etc.). Not only do I not have time, but kids shoes are filthy as well!
I have a book I read called 'What Will I Do If I Can't Tie My Shoe?'. I also have a poster up that says 'I Can Tie My Shoes!'. When a kid can show me they can tie by themselves they can write their name on the poster. Then when someone comes and asks me to tie their shoes, I refer them to the poster and tell them to find a friend to help them!
I recently purchased a shoe tying book from the Scholastic book order. I sent it home with one little boy to use to practice shoe tying and asked that it be returned when he learned.
she brings slip ons or velcro to school. Simple as that. It is a request that is made before school starts - along with the other essentials the students need. In the beginning, I think I was tying about 3 pairs of shoes; now, none. Just the way I like it! ;-p
I work on this with my students on Friday. I have a special pair of shoes, white canvas tennis shoes, I wear on Friday only. I meet with a few students and help them tie. I was so proud when I taught 4 kids in one day. However, I haven't taught my own children, pathetic I know. Anyway. When they can tie my shoes they can write their name on my shoe with a permanent marker. I have done this for 2 years and my shoes are almost full of names. Next year I am buying high tops.
If they can do the first part they can do the rest. It just takes time and a lot of patience. I can't do more than 3-4 or I lose my patience for the day. It is so exciting when they get it and can tell their parents after school. Good luck
When I taught half day, I just did not have the time. I taught them to tuck their laces inside their shoes, if they could not tie or find a friend who could. I devoloped Vertigo and I get sick if I bend that way too frequently. One year my Vertigo was so bad, I went to Walmart and bought 20 white flat laces and slowly replaced all the round laces that never stayed tied.-no matter who tied them. No parent complained, after all, it is their job to teach that skill. I also put it in my newsletter that I simply do not have the time to tie 20 plus laces in 2.5 hours. Parents needed to teach this at home and make sure their child's shoes were double knotted before they went to school each day. That was a big help. If you are interested in teaching this skill and you have the time, start with something big to tie like a bathrobe. They can do it quicker with a big tie and then they can trasition to their smaller laces.
We put our First Grade supply lists in their K report card at years end, and in there we are clear - if they can't tie independently, they need velcro shoes for inside AND out. Not everyone follows that plea of course, so we continue to remind parents in newsletters and agendas until the child can do it. Each parent has only one child to teach, so it should be a given! I don't tie shoes - I stopped the year I was pregnant and noticed they learned quite a bit faster.
In our school, we have morning and afternoon recess, plus recess before lunch. I can't tie inside shoes for 17 kids three times a day, (and double that with outside shoes). We also do what several PP's suggest - a poster they sign, a book and poem that go home, use kids who can tie as helpers for those who can't. I LOVE the idea of letting them sign your runners!
11-06-2009, 12:27 PM
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