Developing a class vision at the beginning of the school year will give your students a voice and a stronger sense of our community.

In my classroom we say the pledge of allegiance everyday as American citizens and then we recite "Our Class Promise" as well to make sure that we remember what it takes to make the day amazing. We reinforce behaviors and strategies when we say our promise. It's a great way to start the day and comes filled with so many daily opportunities to discuss and reflect on classroom community.

Restorative practices are an effective way to improve class and school culture, decrease negative behaviors, and develop successful citizens of the school and world. Restorative circles are one important component of restorative practices. In circles, power and responsibility are shared and equal among all members. The restorative circle prompts in this resource help develop the social-emotional skills needed for restorative practices to take hold and be effective in your classroom and school. Resource Includes: 126 restorative circle prompts for class meetings. Some are discussion questions, others are about sharing personal beliefs and experiences, and some ask about specific scenarios/situations. The prompts cover: Identifying Feelings in Self and Others Expressing and Regulating Feelings Responsibilities in the Classroom and School Taking Responsibility For My Own Actions Choices and Consequences Peaceful Conflict Resolution Apologies and Forgiveness Perspective Taking and Empathy One page list of 14 prompts to use for problem-solving restorative circles (when a problem has already occurred or is occurring that needs to be handled restoratively as a class) Circle Norms poster Affective statement posters Apology sentence stems posters All pages also in blackline Resource Rationale and Use: Restorative practices are incredibly meaningful but for students to engage with them, they need to already have some social-emotional skills. For students to focus on restoring relationships and reconciliation, they need to understand responsibilities, perspectives, and empathy. Circles are a perfect way to help students develop these skills while also fostering classroom community. These prompts are meant to be used daily in order develop the skills students need to engage more meaningfully and effectively in problem-solving restorative circles. ************************************************************************************************************* ✨Glowing Praise for This Resource✨ “ I absolutely love using this resource to teach restorative skills, plus super cute & engaging. My students love this too. Will use throughout the year to teach/review & for years to come.” ~Candace D. “This resource is so well done. For teachers who are trying to implement community and restorative circles in their classroom, I highly recommend this resource. I love the discussion prompts and appreciate how they are broken down into different themes/topics.” ~Kinder Revival ************************************************************************************************************* Open the preview for more details!

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Hopes and Dreams in the elementary classroom What are your hopes and dreams for the school year? Do you dream of your students being happy? Safe? Optimistic? I dream that my students will come every day to class ready to learn, and to create a warm and safe environment to learn in. Not only teachers […]

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Social justice is a big concept - break it down when you're teaching kids about it by using books and starting with identity

Last year I set a goal to have Brooklyn be able to get her Good Canine Citizen award. Well if you spend more than two minutes around my dog you will instantly know we didn't reach our goal. She is a catalyst of bad behavior. So this year my goal has been for her to walk in Nashville's Christmas Parade with other Nashville Pitties. I always do a lesson on goal setting, but what good is a goal if you aren't organized enough to ensure the steps are in place to meet it? My goal for Brooklyn was a lofty one, in fact it was too big. So we are reorganizing to reduce the stress of dog and mother. This reorganization made and the stress I put on myself to accomplish made me think about how I could change my lesson on organization. After a lot of brainstorming and about 5 drafts here is my new lesson for 4th Grade on responsibility and organization: Lesson 1: We started with a scavenger hunt. I gave teams either an organized back pack or a messy back pack and a list of items. I started the timer and they were off. Most of the teams with organized back packs finished the scavenger hunt within 2-3 minutes and the teams with messy backpacks anywhere from 4-8 minutes. They really got into this, especially because I hid stinky socks, cereal, stuffed animals, and toys in the messy backpacks. Next we discussed that if you were organized that would save you about 2 minutes per day, just enough time to recheck your work, 14 mintues in a week, enough time to read a chapter or two in your new favorite book, and about 56 minutes a month, enough time to watch an entire episode of their favorite Disney show. We ended with a pre-test of work habits so they could identify what they specifically need to improve on. Lessons 2/3: We talked about responsibility and what it means. We watched the video "I Can Do It! Taking Responsibility" which shows the students different scenarios and allows us time to stop and discuss each one. Next we charted what kinds of responsibilities they had in 4th grade. We then role played different responsibilities (the examples are from AIM Education) and in teams practiced what we would do. For example: A new movie you and your best friend are dying to see has just opened up, and your friends wants the two of you to see it this Saturday. The trouble is, your science project is due on Monday, and you and your project partner agreed you would spend Saturday gathering plants in the park. What should you do? At the end of each skit we talked about the different feelings that come with responsibility: stress, disappointment, frustration, etc. That lead us to the postcard activity. I laid several postcards around the room each with a different picture on it. I asked the students to (in silence) find a card that represented how they feel about starting fourth grade and the new responsibilities they are taking on. When everyone had a card we broke into small groups and shared the card we choose and why. Next I asked everyone to set 3 goals for themselves: 1) Something they could accomplish this week. 2) Something they could accomplish in the next 2 months. (I like to remind them of their work habits pre test here) 3) Something they wanted to accomplish by the end of this school year. We then shared our goals with our small group and then with the entire class. I collected the cards and will give them to our students in two months with a personal check in note written on each. **In the past I have done this icebreaker with my faculty and with 6th grade. They filled out the card like an actual postcard and I mailed it to their homes half way through the year. Lesson 4: We continue our talk of responsibility and stress. First in groups they draw what it feels like to be stressed. Then each group shares and we look for similarities that we all have. Next we watch the Brain Pop on stress and at the end they go back to their drawings and surround themselves with things they can do to help alleviate their stress. To finish our series we take the same work habits post test and see if we have improved! Since I only see this grade once a month this 4 part series starts in Sept and ends at Christmas break. Before I know it the sleigh bells are ringing!

These kindergarten anchor charts will give you the tools you need to teach math, reading, friendship skills, and much more!

I’ve written before about my enthusiasm for the Responsive Classroom approach. Some of my favorite, tried-and-true classroom management techniques and resources come from the Responsive Classroom series and I’ve recommended them so many times, I thought it’s about time that I gave an overview of the Responsive Classroom approach. (If you’re sold already and want a […]

It's hard to talk to students without making it a lecture. Empower students while you teach them about respect using hands on activities

This Teaching Tolerance aligned lesson is about understanding stereotypes and the harm they cause. It’s an important skill on its own and also a first step towards being able to identify and stand up to injustices. It focuses on what are stereotypes and examples of common stereotypes, why stereotypes are harmful, and reflecting on stereotypes […]

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Hey everyone! It's Anna from Hanging with Mrs. Hulsey! The school year is officially in full swing-- and my students are definitely feeling more comfortable with me and each other! One thing I've decided we need to focus on more is our classroom community! Here are some quick ideas to help you promote a positive climate in your classroom! Use Team Builders Team building activities are easy to implement! They don't take a lot of time, students find them to be engaging, and they are often FREE! Here is a quick list of some of my favorite student team building activities: Human Knot (Students stand in circle, reach for hands of people across the way, and then they must untangle themselves without letting go. This can also be done as a spiderweb using a ball of yarn) Tallest Tower (Divide students into groups and give them supplies like straws, tape, blocks, etc. The team that can make the tallest tower wins!) Minefield (Set up a "minefield" that students must navigate a blindfolded partner through) Hula Hoop Pass (Can be played whole class or in teams. Students hold hands and must pass through a hula hoop as quickly as possible) Switch Sides If... (Use a chalk line, rope, or tape line. Have students stand on one side of the line. Read off items like "switch sides if you like to bake", etc.) The internet provides an infinite source of team building activities! I've included a few links below: http://www.ventureteambuilding.co.uk/team-building-activities/ http://www.momjunction.com/articles/team-building-activities-will-keep-kids-busy-summer_0074763/#gref http://mommieshobbies.blogspot.com/2014/01/switch-sides-if.html?m=1 Hold Morning Meetings Time is precious in my classroom because we departmentalize. It feels like we are always on the go. However, I feel that even something as small as a weekly morning meeting would help my students develop a more positive feeling toward one another. You can read more about morning meetings for older elementary students here! I also love this product from TPT! Write Daily White Board Messages I think this is a such a simple way to start the day off with a positive vibe! The night before (or morning of) write a simple prompt on the white board/chalkboard and have students respond on the board. This will foster another sense of ownership and community. You can find white board messages by searching google or Pinterest! Here are some quick ideas to get you started: 1 Thing Wednesday-- name one thing we've done this year that you'd like to do again! I Think I Can Thursday-- what is one goal you want to achieve this year? Flashback Friday-- what is one new thing you have learned this week? Write a compliment for a classmate by their name (no repeats!) Name 3 traits of a great friend What is your favorite book you've read this year? Thankful Thursday-- what is 1 thing you are thankful for? Make it Monday-- what is 1 thing you've always wanted to create?' Top 2 Tuesday-- write your top 2 favorite things about the school year so far Compliment Circles This activity would pair well with morning meetings! You and the students sit in a circle with everyone's legs out straight. Begin the compliment circle by giving a compliment to someone. Once someone has been complimented they cross their legs. Compliments continue until everyone has received 1. I think this is a great way to encourage students to see each other in different ways! Create a Kindness Board I created this one for the visual it would provide to my students. Plus, I wanted them to point out kindness when they see it in others! This one is easy to implement: 1. Print out the letters and hang on a wall or bulletin board. 2. Print the "caught being kind" strips on various colors of paper (I used Astrobright paper). 3. Cut the strips apart and keep on hand for when students catch others being kind. 4. When students experience a kindness or act of friendship, they come and ask you for a "caught being kind" strip. They write down their experience. 5. Start a paper chain and add a new link every time someone catches others being kind! You can find this HERE in my TPT store! Here is another type of board with a similar theme (kindness): You can find these fall themed board HERE in my store! I hope you found these ideas to be useful to implement in your classroom! If you have any questions-- feel free to leave them in the comment section!

Rules. Expectations. Whatever you call them, some of your students are going to have trouble understanding their importance and the reasoning behind them. This lesson works solo or as a companion to Julia Cook’s ‘That Rule Doesn’t Apply to Me!’ to increase your students’ buy in to class and school expectations. Use these in your […]

I teach reading at an elementary school. I love what I do! I wanted to share some "ways to praise" that we use in my classroom. These aren't my own ideas just the ones my students love. And here's how it looks: { I look FABULOUS! } Click HERE for printable. =) In what ways do YOU praise?

Talking about responsibility can easily be a boring lecture for kids. We made it fun and interactive by talking about "whose job is it" for the important responsibilities in their lives!

Working with MPD Ventures, I helped a STEM summer school provider completely revamp their online presence with a fresh design and improved mobile functionality. With StoryBrand® as its messaging foundation, the homepage design and content walks prospective schools and community organizations through how their summer classes can shine with 8Bit Education. The site is built

classroom rules

Fifth grade has worked so hard on these multi media collage pieces! Layer 1 was painting Layer2 was paper collage Layer 3 was oil pastel shapes and Layer 4 was painting, dripping, stamping We did some zerox gel transfers with animals

This circle of control activity teaches students the difference between what is inside their control and what is outside of their control.

Stop taking away recess and using other punishments to control your students. Find success with 10 powerful classroom management strategies!

Community building in the classroom is one of the most important things we do as teachers! Here are some awesome community building activities.

Well folks, it's about that time. Perhaps for some, you are already back. The first week of school....ahhh....it's exhilarating, it's fun, it's busy....and....it's downright exhausting. What am I going to do without my mid-morning nap? And my mid-afternoon nap? Hopefully, I have some ideas for you to use here to ease that transition back. I think setting the tone with Morning Meeting is the most important part of the day. It is the one area of the day that I have more flexibility with and it a time for students and I to connect. In following with a Responsive Classroom approach Morning Meeting in my classroom has 4 components: 1. Greeting 2. Share 3. Activity 4. Message Sometimes, the 4 components may become a bit intertwined based on time and the nature of the activities. I allocate about 30-40 minutes for Morning Morning and it always incorporates a read-aloud as well. Usually, the read aloud is a picture book of some kind. Let's break down the four components and give you some ideas for each... I keep greetings very low key at first, as students are still getting to know one another and the classroom rules. Therefore, physical contact is limited and is gradually built up, depending on what your class can handle. Here are some ideas: 1. Name Game: Everyone sits in a circle. Start with your arms Criss-crossed arms to make an X across your shoulders and then uncross them and tap your thighs. As students to repeat this motion. Once mastered, start saying student names as you go around the circle "My name is Mrs. Pettersen, Mrs. Pettersen, Mrs. Pettersen. My name is Mrs. Pettersen and what's your name?" The person to my right says his/her name and we repeat "His name is Justin, Justin, Justin. His name is Justin, Justin, Justin, etc. This continues until everyone in the class has had a turn. The last person is the teacher "Her name is Sara, Sara, Sara. Her name is Sara and we're all here!" The kinesthetic motion helps students to remember names. 2. Walk and Greet: Teachers says greets each student by walking up to each student (not in order) waving and smiling and making eye contact. Ask students "What did you notice?" when you are done. You are looking for students to notice that you made eye contact, that you gave a friendly wave without touching and that you smiled. This exercise models for students how you expect them to greet one another for morning meeting. Tell them so. 3. Ball Roll: Roll a small ball to a student after you say good morning "Good morning, Sam." Sam responds and I roll the ball to him. Then he rolls the ball to a student. It is important to review rules and expectations with the ball before beginning this activity. 4. Mirror, Mirror: Greet a student with a motion and have them repeat that motion. If you are silent, they are silent. They then repeat the same motion to a classmate of their choice. 5. Mirror, Mirrored: Play the same way as above, but this time the after the student mimics your motion, they make up their own motion for a classmate to follow. Greetings continue with each student making up their own greeting motions. 6. Hola!: Greet one another in a different language. Instead of saying "Good morning, the teacher greets a student with a greeting in a different language such as "Hola, Lila". Lila then does the same with another classmate. Switch it up as the year goes on with different languages. 7. Round Robin: Model how to shake hands using the right hand and how to shake appropriately without hurting a classmate. Then do a "round robin" greet" where the teacher shakes hands with the person to the right of them, that person shakes hands with the person to the right of them and so on until everyone has been greeted. 8. Meet and Greet: Students pull a name from a hat and greet that student. 9. Guess Who: Using the info gained from the share activity below the teacher pulls a name from a hat (without letting students see the name). Give the students clues on whose name was pulled "This student likes to play soccer. She has 2 brothers and a dog." 10. Sing this song or chant it as a rhyme: "If your name starts with A turn around. If your name with B touch the ground. If your name then down and touch your knee. If your name starts with D say "that's me!" If your name starts with E reach up high. If your name starts with F touch the sky. If your name starts with G that wave up here to me If your name starts with H say "Yippee!" If your name starts I wink your eye. If your name starts with J pretend to fly. If your name starts with K then move and start to sway If your name starts with L say "Good Day!" If your name starts with M touch your head If your name starts with N start to bend If your name starts with O bend down and touch your toe If your name starts with P say "That's me!" If your name starts Q touch your shoe. If your name starts with R stay where you are If your name starts with T wave up here at me If your name starts with U say Yoo-hoo!" If your name starts with V say "Who me?" If your name starts X say "Oh yes?" If your name starts with Y please don't cry. If your name starts with Z say "End with me." O.k....I'm just going to put this out there....I don't like Sharing. There. I said it. Not sharing as in....I don't like to give my things to others. No, not that kind. I don't like having a Share time in the classroom. I just feel like it terms into "This is what I have and you don't so I'm going to stand up here and tell you all about it and make you feel bad so you can go home and tell your parents and beg them to buy it for you too" time. Therefore, Share time in the classroom for me has to have a bit more direction and purpose. In the beginning of school, Share time consists of us getting to know everyone so everyone takes home a brown paper bag with this little poem attached. We’d like to get to know a little about you So fill this bag with photos, a small toy, a momento or two. Bring your bag to school on _______ Know what you want to share and say. We can’t wait to see what’s in your bag On your sharing day! Each student gets assigned a day (actually I assign 2-3 students per day) to share their bag and tell us about themselves. This All About Me Paper Bag Activity is a FREEBIE in my store. You can grab it here. During the remainder of the year, share time is a time when students can share something that they made or earned (such as an aware, trophy, etc) or an addition to their family (such as a new family member or pet). If someone returns from a vacation, they can share their travel journal with us during Share time too. 1. Four Corners: Designate 4 separate corners of your classroom. Choose one student volunteer to close his/her eyes. The remainder of the class will walk quietly to a corner. The student with his/her closed chooses a corner number and any students in that corner are out and must come sit down. 2. Four Corners 2: Play the same as Four Corners except students go together to a corner based on your directions "Go to corner number 1 if you have a dog. Go to corner number 2 if you have a cat. Go to corner number 3 if you have both a dog and a cat. Go to corner number 4 if you don't have a dog or a cat." 3. Sticky Numbers: One student is given a sticky note with a number written on it. He/She must ask her classmates questions about the number in order to guess it. Questions may be "Is it greater than 10? Is an even number?,etc? 4. Warm Winds: Students sit in a circle. One students is the volunteer and asks a common attribute such as "A warm wind blows for anyone who likes pizza." Anyone who likes pizza must then get up and switch places with someone else. Last person standing is the next volunteer. 5. 7 Up: Played just like the traditional game. 7 people choose 7 people who are seated at a table with their heads down. Those7 people who are chosen try to guess who chose them. If guessed correctly, they can then be "it." 6. Back to School: Get to know staff in your school with these Back to School Trading Cards. Give to staff ahead of time or place them in the mailbox. Take students on a tour and collect the cards as your tour. Kids just love collecting cards! They can learn who the staff members are, their names, and their job responsibilities at the same time! 7. Would you Rather: Kids LOVE "Would you rather?" games. You can do a few and then ask a student volunteer to do some. 8. Circle: Students sit in a circle. Send one student out of the room. Choose one student volunteer to be "it". This student makes a pattern of repeated motions. the remainder of the class copies the motions. Call the student who was sent out to come back in. This student now has to guess who is it. I am so bad about writing morning messages. As I'm making photocopies, catching up on who watched "The Bachelor" last night, setting out morning work, making sure I have work set for the parent volunteer I kept saying to myself "I need to write the morning message." Well...9 times of of 10 the students were walking in and I was either A. Writing the message right there and then OR B. Still hadn't written in Morning messages have always been my nemesis but I do they think they are so important for my early readers. Soooo... I spent a lot of time going through the curriculum and creating a YEAR's worth of morning messages that I can always have on my computer so I could just pop it on and BAM! There they are ....every day. I never have to write a morning message again! Literally all I do is turn on my SmartBoard and my morning message for each day is right there! When I have a sub, I just leave her my login directions for my computer and it's a piece of cake. I love how it's review for my students. They are editable too so you can adapt them however you want. To pin for later:

Spring is here and we all have spring fever! Energy levels are higher. Students seem restless. Behaviors that have never been seen before appear. And your once quiet class becomes chatty. Every year I remind myself that this is normal. And to be expected… But that doesn’t mean we can’t remedy the situation. In this ... Read More about 10 Effective Strategies for a Chatty Class

Student-led teaching is a teaching strategy that helps students become more involved and interested in their classes.

Here are useful professional resources and activities that can help you transform your classroom into a Responsive Classroom right from the start.