Building a classroom community where students feel included, valued, and supported is every teacher's dream. As educators, we want our students to feel like important members of our classroom community. Of course, this happens naturally in the way we interact with students and the way we celebrate learning in our classrooms. However, I've found that it is also effective to include intentional activities that help students build bonds, develop social emotional learning skills, and foster a positive learning culture. Here are a few of my favorite ways to build a positive classroom environment... Writing notes to students is a wonderful way to let them know how important they are. Many students have a deep desire to be noticed and recognized. Taking a moment to share a kind note with kids is a perfect (and easy) way to let them know that they matter. The notes you write don't need to be extravagant. Sometimes a little message next to students' homework assignments or a post-it note at their desks is perfect. You might also want to be more intentional and designate a day in your planning to write notes to students. I've found that it's best to keep a set of notecards at the ready for sharing with students. To make sharing words of encouragement really easy, just grab this FREE set of positive note cards. Build a positive classroom community by giving students a chance to be kind to each other. One of my favorite ways to do this is to play "Pass the Compliment." Begin by discussing what constitutes a sincere compliment, and how to give specific praise. Explain to your students that a comment like “good job” is less powerful than a comment that begins with “I really liked the way you...” Once they’ve got the gist, have them put their new skill into practice by writing specific, sincere compliments about their classmates by passing around customized compliment collecting papers for each student. When the students receive their customized, original compliments, stand back and watch them beam – my students talked about this for months after we did it! Find this FREE activity along with many more in this 25+ page resource filled with kindness activities. Promote positivity in the classroom with inspirational quotes and writing prompts. One way to do just that is with positive pennant flags. First, students will choose a motivational quote that inspires them. Then, they’ll respond to a writing prompt based on the quote. The writing prompt gives students a chance to pause and reflect. Finally, students combine their writing with a pennant topper with a motivational quote to make a fun and inspiring pennant flag. These pennant flags make incredible displays. They’re easy to create and impactful to share. Your students will love this community-building, classroom-beautifying, writing-practicing, positivity-creating activity! Check them out here. Create a "sea" of kindness in your classroom one drop at a time. Build a positive classroom community by hosting a Random Acts of Kindness challenge in your classroom to encourage students to spread kindness at school, home and in the community. In this activity, students perform four random acts of kindness and record their good deeds on “drops of kindness.” The drops of kindness can be collected and displayed in the classroom as a reminder of the power and impact of small acts of kindness. Get this activity (and 5 more FREE kindness activities) directly in your inbox. Just click here. Give students a chance to investigate positive emotions like hope with the Chain of Hope activity. To begin, you have a discussion about hope with students. Students could share a time when they were hopeful and why hope is an important emotion. Then, give students a chance to create links for a classroom chain of hope. On strips of colorful paper, have students write a hope for themselves, their classroom, their community, and the world. Then, as students share their hopes, link the pieces of paper. Finally, hang the chain in the classroom. Find this activity and more here. Speaking of emotions, take time to help students build their social emotional learning skills. When students have a chance to explore emotions, they build more self-awareness. As their self-awareness increases, so does their ability to show empathy, build positive relationships, and make thoughtful decisions. Social emotional learning activities are a crucial way to promote a positive classroom community. One way to help students explore emotions is by having them work collaboratively to create an emotions skit. Assign small groups an emotion. Then, have students plan and write a script that showcases someone experiencing that emotion. Give students a chance to practice their skits before performing them for classmates. Find detailed planning pages and 5 additional social emotional learning lessons here. -------------------------------------------------------------- I think we both agree, there's nothing better than a classroom filled with positive energy. I hope you've found a few ideas to make your students feel connected to you, their classmates, and the school community. Grab each idea at these links... --- Free Positive Notecards --- Free Compliment Posters --- Positive Pennant Flags --- Free Acts of Kindness Challenge --- Chain of Hope (and 5 more activities) --- Emotions Skit (and more Social Emotional Learning Ideas) Thanks for stopping by! Mary Beth
Middle school teachers are always looking for classroom management tips to strengthen their classroom environment. Check out these classroom tips!
These classroom management strategies will help teachers with all levels of experience with managing classroom behaviours.
There are times throughout the year when it seems like your classes just aren’t going right. You are working hard on your lessons, thinking of engaging applications, and even trying to add ch…
These classroom management strategies will help teachers with all levels of experience with managing classroom behaviours.
The "Editable Literacy Rotation/Center Slides with Moveable Icons & Timers" is a comprehensive digital tool designed to assist in facilitating literacy rotations in any classroom environment! Created with the needs of educators in mind, this product streamlines the organisation and execution of literacy rotations, developing independence within students and assisting in the creation of strong classroom routines. Key Features: Moveable Icons: 40+ moveable literacy icons in both rectangular and circular shapes, as well as 21 resource icons Moveable Timers: 8 different timers, including 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, and 30 minutes Backgrounds: A selection of six different coloured backgrounds, including different titles ('Literacy Rotations' or 'Literacy Centers') and instructions for use Group Member slides: A selection of slides to display group names and group members (for 2 - 6 groups) Learning Intention slides: WALT (We Are Learning To) and WILF (What I'm Looking For) slides to outline/display learning intentions for each individual activity before rotations commence Activity Instruction slides: To outline how to complete each individual activity before rotations commence Literacy Rotation/Center slides: A wide array of templates, catering for 2-6 groups and 1-6 rotations. Options to either display 1 rotation at a time, or ALL rotations provided Pack Away slide: 3-step pack away slide with timer to assist in smooth transitions between rotations Instructions for Use: Detailed instructions for use provided within resource
Stay organized as a high school or transition special education teacher with your caseload, personal schedule and paraprofessional schedule!
Kick off the school year with fun Name Games! Foster classroom camaraderie and help students break the ice on the first day.
Building a classroom community where students feel included, valued, and supported is every teacher's dream. As educators, we want our students to feel like important members of our classroom community. Of course, this happens naturally in the way we interact with students and the way we celebrate learning in our classrooms. However, I've found that it is also effective to include intentional activities that help students build bonds, develop social emotional learning skills, and foster a positive learning culture. Here are a few of my favorite ways to build a positive classroom environment... Writing notes to students is a wonderful way to let them know how important they are. Many students have a deep desire to be noticed and recognized. Taking a moment to share a kind note with kids is a perfect (and easy) way to let them know that they matter. The notes you write don't need to be extravagant. Sometimes a little message next to students' homework assignments or a post-it note at their desks is perfect. You might also want to be more intentional and designate a day in your planning to write notes to students. I've found that it's best to keep a set of notecards at the ready for sharing with students. To make sharing words of encouragement really easy, just grab this FREE set of positive note cards. Build a positive classroom community by giving students a chance to be kind to each other. One of my favorite ways to do this is to play "Pass the Compliment." Begin by discussing what constitutes a sincere compliment, and how to give specific praise. Explain to your students that a comment like “good job” is less powerful than a comment that begins with “I really liked the way you...” Once they’ve got the gist, have them put their new skill into practice by writing specific, sincere compliments about their classmates by passing around customized compliment collecting papers for each student. When the students receive their customized, original compliments, stand back and watch them beam – my students talked about this for months after we did it! Find this FREE activity along with many more in this 25+ page resource filled with kindness activities. Promote positivity in the classroom with inspirational quotes and writing prompts. One way to do just that is with positive pennant flags. First, students will choose a motivational quote that inspires them. Then, they’ll respond to a writing prompt based on the quote. The writing prompt gives students a chance to pause and reflect. Finally, students combine their writing with a pennant topper with a motivational quote to make a fun and inspiring pennant flag. These pennant flags make incredible displays. They’re easy to create and impactful to share. Your students will love this community-building, classroom-beautifying, writing-practicing, positivity-creating activity! Check them out here. Create a "sea" of kindness in your classroom one drop at a time. Build a positive classroom community by hosting a Random Acts of Kindness challenge in your classroom to encourage students to spread kindness at school, home and in the community. In this activity, students perform four random acts of kindness and record their good deeds on “drops of kindness.” The drops of kindness can be collected and displayed in the classroom as a reminder of the power and impact of small acts of kindness. Get this activity (and 5 more FREE kindness activities) directly in your inbox. Just click here. Give students a chance to investigate positive emotions like hope with the Chain of Hope activity. To begin, you have a discussion about hope with students. Students could share a time when they were hopeful and why hope is an important emotion. Then, give students a chance to create links for a classroom chain of hope. On strips of colorful paper, have students write a hope for themselves, their classroom, their community, and the world. Then, as students share their hopes, link the pieces of paper. Finally, hang the chain in the classroom. Find this activity and more here. Speaking of emotions, take time to help students build their social emotional learning skills. When students have a chance to explore emotions, they build more self-awareness. As their self-awareness increases, so does their ability to show empathy, build positive relationships, and make thoughtful decisions. Social emotional learning activities are a crucial way to promote a positive classroom community. One way to help students explore emotions is by having them work collaboratively to create an emotions skit. Assign small groups an emotion. Then, have students plan and write a script that showcases someone experiencing that emotion. Give students a chance to practice their skits before performing them for classmates. Find detailed planning pages and 5 additional social emotional learning lessons here. -------------------------------------------------------------- I think we both agree, there's nothing better than a classroom filled with positive energy. I hope you've found a few ideas to make your students feel connected to you, their classmates, and the school community. Grab each idea at these links... --- Free Positive Notecards --- Free Compliment Posters --- Positive Pennant Flags --- Free Acts of Kindness Challenge --- Chain of Hope (and 5 more activities) --- Emotions Skit (and more Social Emotional Learning Ideas) Thanks for stopping by! Mary Beth
Engage your students during the first few weeks of school with these back to school activities for your middle school classroom.
Classroom procedures are the foundation to a productive, relaxed classroom. With planning, you can reduce frustration levels and increase time on task.
Use the jigsaw teaching strategy to engage your students and give them more ownership of their learning. Try it in your classroom.
4 paperless classroom ideas to make going paperless a breeze! No more papers to take home or copies to make!
Check out these 12 engaging first day of school activities that will help set a positive tone for the year and help build relationships from day 1.
These are the 5 Procedures Every Classroom Needs. From hall passes to supplies to absent work, find the procedures to make your classroom work.
Classroom community building activities and free ideas and lesson plans to kick off the school year or implement at any time.
Maybe you're wondering how Boom Cards compare to Kahoot, or looking for a comparison of Boom Cards vs Quizlet? Check out this post!
It's that time of year! Back to school time (even though I know some of my bloggy friends have been back for a couple of weeks now.) While you may be in a district that wants you to hit the academics hard core from the first day of school and cut out "fluff", there's nothing fluffy about a cohesive classroom. And you can forget good things happening academically when nobody can get along. Do you hear me administrators? I think it's a wise idea to spend some time helping your students learn to live together in a room that gives everybody about one square foot of personal space. So here's a little collection of some fabuloso ideas I found through the wonderful world of blogging. Here are some great ideas to get your new friends talking to each other, working together, and thinking about what a successful classroom looks like. 1. Talk about how to treat each other. Tales from a Tidy Teacher shares a lesson using Finding the Green Stone by Alice Walker. She gives each student a shiny green "stone". They plan how they will keep their stones shiny all year. I think this would be a great anchor lesson to refer to all year long. Here's a post from Mrs. Robinson's Classroom Blog. She has a different question each day to get kids thinking about their role in the classroom. Your actions are who you are. When things were getting cranky in my classroom last year, we worked on this activity. We planned out the words that we would want our principal to use when describing us. Then we planned out the actions that would get us there. 2. Talk about words and what they can do (for good and evil). I love love love this poster. It is from Sweet Blessings who also happens to be the genius behind Technology Rocks. Seriously. I had it printed as an 11x17 on glossy card stock ($1.50 at Office Max). I referred to it all year long the last couple of years. By the second month of school, all I had to do was say, "THINK before you speak" and they knew exactly what had gone wrong. Yes, Mrs. O Knows will convince you that toothpaste and toothpicks will teach kids everything they need to know about words. I tried so hard to find the original source for this one. Please leave a comment if you know where it came from. Cause it's awesome. 3. Have kids work together in a fun way. Who wouldn't want to save Fred? This is a great team work lesson from Fabulous Fourth Grade Froggies. This one's from Science Gal. Now tell me that doesn't look fun? And because the best way to learn that the world does not revolve around you, have your kids perform RACKS. Random Acts of Classroom Kindness. Here's an idea from 3rd Grade Thoughts. There are tons more great ideas out there on this, too. Have kids work in teams to plan out some RACKS for each the classroom, other students, and staff, too. And now for a little giggle: Hope you have a great school year!
Check out these 12 engaging first day of school activities that will help set a positive tone for the year and help build relationships from day 1.
Start your year off right by decorating your STEM classroom to inspire your students to have fun, take risks, and have a growth mindset.
Does the first week of Kindergarten have you shaking in your boots? You are not alone! I've been at this for a little while now so you would think it would get easier with time but I am here to tell you it does not! I still get anxious right before school starts. What will they be like? Will I remember what to do at line up time? What if I don't set things up right and I mess up the whole rest of the year? (sounds dramatic but that is really what goes through my head!) I sat down as soon as school got out and wrote down my first week of lesson plans to put my mind at ease. It has really helped with my worry so far! I wrote down the first five days, plans and procedures I need to introduce, brain breaks, classroom community building activities, easy morning work to get started with and even got my welcome back gifts ready. My mind is officially at ease. I want to make sure I have a lot of fun and a LOT of books planned for the first week too. Here are a couple of fun crafts to go with the books I have planned. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. You can't skip this book the first week of school! Our focus will be all about names the first week (or more!). I put together all of my favorite books with some crafts to help teach all of those back to school procedures like cutting, gluing, and of course following directions. The Wheels on the Bus This one is fun for a little first sound fun. The students change the words to match the first sound in their name. A My Name is Alice by Jane Bayer Alphabet books are the best the first few weeks of school. A My Name is Alice Jane Bayer is the best! This is a fun activity to do after we read the book and they will make really cute self portraits to hang in the hallway the first week of school. Not only did I plan out the activities for these books but for lots of other favorites like Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes, Rosie Takes a Walk by Pat Hutchins, No David by David Shannon, and Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell. So now I don't have to feel guilty when I am floating in the pool this summer (just kidding, I never feel guilty doing that!) But honestly, I can relax knowing all I have to do is hit print when I get back to school. These plans can work for you too! Click here to see them in my store! Or if you are not ready to think about school yet pin this for later! P.S. Get a FREE ALPHABET ACTIVITY when you sign up for my newsletter HERE!
Back-to-school season is here. It's time for science teachers to review the scientific method. Try something new and unique this year- comics.
Teachers, are you seeking ways to better support autistic learners? Explore these research-based tips designed to create positive and inclusive classroom environments. #SpecialEducation #AutismAwareness
How do you plan to create a calm classroom environment? Here are 5 tips to help you to create a space you and your students will LOVE by...
Establishing classroom procedures tops the list of almost every teacher around back-to-school season. This post lists 10 fun ways to teach classroom procedures that are easy to implement and effective! Not only that, but you can grab FREE back to school lesson plans to cover 30 days of teaching. 🤩 *This post contains affiliate links
Middle school teachers are always looking for classroom management tips to strengthen their classroom environment. Check out these classroom tips!
Boost your child's confidence and improve their mindset with these free affirmation station printables!
Introducing the AAC Core Vocabulary Classroom Rug – a functional and stylish addition to any speech room, clinic, or special education environment. This unique AAC rug is designed with learning in mind, featuring a carefully selected set of AAC core vocabulary words printed right on the surface. FREE SHIPPING! Crafted from 100% Polyester Chenille, this durable area rug isn't just a beautiful piece of speech room decor; it's an interactive learning tool. It's perfect for engaging students, facilitating communication, and enriching the educational experience in any SPED classroom. Measuring 0.2'' (5mm) in thickness, the rug's soft texture provides comfort, while the hemmed edges add a professional finish. The grey underside ensures that the rug lays flat, making it ready for any flat-lay design. Available in multiple sizes, this classroom rug can be tailored to fit your space. Why choose the AAC Core Vocabulary Classroom Rug? Educational Design: Features AAC core vocabulary to support language development and communication skills. Versatile Use: Perfect as an AAC rug in speech rooms, clinics, and SPED classrooms. Quality Construction: Made from 100% Polyester Chenille with hemmed edges for lasting durability. Stylish Aesthetic: A delightful blend of playful and colorful graphics that will seamlessly match your room's decor. Upgrade your educational setting with this one-of-a-kind classroom rug, designed with both style and learning in mind. Order your AAC Core Vocabulary Classroom Rug today and take the first step towards a more interactive and visually stimulating learning experience! Size options: 24 x 36 48 x 72 Design Includes: extended Core Vocabulary with numbers, shapes, and colors 📦 PRODUCTION & SHIPPING: Our products are printed specifically for you when ordered. Production can take 2-5 business days. Shipping then 2-7 days depending on your location. When ordering please understand that items can take 4-15 days to arrive. But isn't it worth it! *** SHIPPING NOTE: some of our products will ship separately as we use different printers for your awesome gear*** 🫧 Care: Spot wash Wash on low/delicate settings Do not use bleach Avoid fabric softeners 🖍️COLORS: Please note that colors may vary from shown on screen. This is due to the variances in computer screens. To see our gear in action and to learn more about how we support and champion communication follow us on instagram at @agiftofspeech. Check out all of our creations: ⭐AAC Shirts, Sweatshirts, and more: https://etsy.me/3oLm8mG ⭐Speech Therapy Shirts, Sweatshirts, and more: https://etsy.me/3oGVeMU ⭐Stickers Galore: https://etsy.me/3oGUUOc ⭐Mugs & Tumblers: https://etsy.me/3Hgeqrf ⭐Notebooks & Cards: https://etsy.me/3n4jyYK ⭐Cozy blankets: https://etsy.me/40Ctzdq ⭐Holiday Gear: https://etsy.me/3AqHWH4 ⭐Therapy Dog & Doodle Gear: https://etsy.me/3Heowcm For exclusive discounts and first pick of our products, sign up and get a free AAC sticker: https://bit.ly/3L9mhI9 Thank you for supporting this therapist owned shop. We look forward to TALKING BACK with you! COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Shannon of TalkBackShop, 2022 PCS® and Boardmaker by Tobii Dynavox® All rights reserved. Used with permission.
Before you decorate your high school classroom, there are a few things you should know. Read all about them in this blog post!
Calming corners for teens are an incredible way to offer a safe space in your classroom for students to reflect and regroup
Multilingual Learners typically spend the majority of their day in a mainstream classroom. This is especially true for elementary age students. English Language Learns (ELLs) receive either pull out support from an ESOL teacher or co-teaching support. Some MLs do not receive any support other than from their classroom teacher. A quick way to think
Every year there are students with challenging behaviors that disrupt, well, everything. Daily crises take over your schedule and they seem unresponsive to intervention plans. Teachers and staff are exhausted. The calls to "do something" (aka discipline) grow louder. I'm guessing if you landed on this post you are looking for more than another sticker
There are three kinds of teacher-decorators: those who were born for Pinterest, those who can’t, and all the ones in between (such as the broke, the tired, and the I-have-no-time-to-decorate). However, making a classroom appeal to middle and high school students doesn’t HAVE to involve serious crafting or expensive, time-intensive projects. Check out these tips from me and Bonnie from Presto Plans as you prepare your classroom for the fall (or at any time of year that you want to give it a boost!) You might also like Sara's more recent blog post, Inside My Farmhouse Classroom Makeover. 1. Have a color scheme (if you can) Sara: My principal gave each teacher the paint for one accent wall, so that shade of turquoise inspired the rest of my blue decor: milk crates, bulletin board borders, etc. It helped unify the room to make it look pulled-together instead of random. I've also learned about the importance of contrast. Even a full-blown rainbow color palette can look clean and cohesive (instead of cluttered) if you pair it with black or white to balance it out. Bonnie: If you are looking for inspiration for colors that look great together, check out this Pinterest board. There are lots of combinations that will help you choose colors when you are shopping for classroom materials. 2. Stick to a few favorite fonts Sara: Just like businesses create a brand, you are creating a classroom “look” or persona that you will be known for... or, at least a mood you will create. (Friendly? Professional? Fun? Minimalist?) Try to pick a few fonts that most of your labels, signs, and other wall-hangings will consistently use. For example, I used the Google font Crushed to make and laminate labels for my whiteboard (see below), along with mint-colored painter's tape. 3. Make your classroom library a focal point Bonnie: Your class library should draw students in and works well as the focal point for any English classroom. Here are a few things you can do to make your library stand out: Give bookshelves a makeover by rolling them a new coat of paint and/or taking the shelves out and attaching wallpaper or scrapbook paper to the back. Put a few floating shelves on the walls near your library area where you can feature particular novels recommended by students. Add comfortable, flexible seating near a library to make it more welcoming. These items can be more expensive, so shop around online or scour garage sales until you find seating that may work. Use old books as decorations! When a book is unusable, find a way to repurpose it. One easy way to do this is to cut out the pages and write a reading-inspired quote in black permanent marker on top of the page. Frame the page and put it on your bookshelf! Sara: If your classroom library is small, nonexistent, or needs some attention, check out this blog post for more ideas about how to strengthen it. 4. Display student work Bonnie: Use student work as decor by making a framed gallery wall. All you have to do is pick up some inexpensive 8x10 frames (check your dollar store) and arrange them on your wall. When you get a piece of exceptional student work, add it into the frame! If you don’t want the hassle of buying and hanging frames, order a pack of mixed color picture mats and use them to frame student work on a bulletin board. Sara: Another way to get student work on display (while also practicing literary analysis!) is to have them complete this Quote Illustration and Analysis assignment; students use Canva (or any tool you wish) to make an inspirational or literary quote come to life. The results are stunning! 5. Use author-inspired decor Bonnie: Find ways to incorporate the authors you will be studying into your classroom decor. You can do this by featuring fun facts or by sharing quotes by the author. For example, I use an interactive Shakespeare Hashtag of the Week bulletin display that exposes students to one quote from a Shakespeare play each week. If you don’t want to make your own, you might even consider assigning an author to each student and having them develop a bulletin display with a biography, fun facts, and quotes that you can swap out weekly. Sara: Don't forget to interject moments of literary ALLUSION or author-inspired inside jokes as well, like my favorite light switch art... 6. Make your posters work together Sara: On at least one bulletin board or section of wall space, add some symmetry or consistency by hanging posters in a similar style (color, font, or other), or by displaying images that have a common theme. For example, check out these posters of stylized quotes to get some English class wisdom on your walls. Bonnie: If you are looking for some ideas of common themes you could use for posters, try some of these ideas that could work in any English classroom: funny grammar quotes or fails, literary terms or genres, author quotes, famous lines from literature, idiomatic expressions, or jokes using puns! To read more about my favorite bulletin board ideas for middle and high ELA, check out this blog post. "English is Weird" poster set 7. Make displays that are EASY to update Sara: Two of my favorite bulletin board spaces were ones that took VERY little effort in updating, so I didn't have the self-imposed pressure to redo the whole thing multiple times per year. For example, my Word Nerd Challenge is quick to update on a Monday morning because all I have to do is add this week's word to the list. (I made each word tile a magnet that can go on my whiteboard!) I also made low-prep Quote of the Week flipbooks of reading and writing quotes, which students often asked to flip FOR me. I used Command hooks and spiral binding to hang it on a cabinet. Do you have additional ideas? Tell us in the comments!
As secondary teachers, when it comes to decorating we often don’t know where to start. Sometimes, we just don’t have the time or energy to devote to another long project with possible m…
As you gear up for the school year, establishing a positive and structured classroom environment is crucial. In this blog post, we'll explore 5 classroom
Explore top-tier special education resources at Supporting Special Learners for educators and parents, your go-to destination for aiding students with autism.
The Techie Teacher's® thoughts about a PAPERLESS classroom: is this an ideal learning environment?
Do you know how many benefits there are from having student jobs in the classroom? Providing your students with leadership roles that your students care about will work wonders for your classroom organization, classroom community, and your teacher sanity! I used to be the teacher with just 2 helpers who did EVERYTHING for me. It […]
Transforming an ordinary classroom into an inspiring and engaging learning environment can significantly impact students' motivation and enthusiasm for ...
