"We can thank an unknown teacher/consultant from the Texas Education Agency for this delightful 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)

Elementary Grades

http://www.atozteacherstuff.com/tips/Sponge_and_Transition_Activities/
Several ideas to use during those tricky times of moving from one activity to another.

http://www.covington.k12.tn.us/resources/sponge.htm
Lots of great ideas to use for early finishers and as quick fillers.

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/packet/sponge.html
Great ideas for keeping students engaged during those in-between times!

http://www.glc.k12.ga.us/passwd/trc/ttools/attach/bckgrnd/aug/clssmgnt.pdf
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.

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.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.

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.