Make Kindness Contagious!

Kindness is defined as the quality of being friendly, generous or considerate. And unfortunately, our big world needs so much more kindness. As we look across the classroom, the hallway, the cafeteria and the playground...we see children, the future; who (if we teach them now) can help put kindness back into our world. They are our answer. They are our hope. If we want more kindness in our world, our children must be taught how to put it there. And as teachers we must seize this opportunity to show, to teach and to foster kindness. I know what you're thinking, there is just no time. True. But we must take the time. Let's face it, classrooms are one of the busiest places on earth. Teachers want to teach kindness, but finding the time and making it priority is difficult.

So, how can it be done?

#1: BE A TEACHER LEADING BY EXAMPLE. I just love this shirt by The Wright Chics. I could not help but order one for school to wear! I wear it often.

There are opportunities all over the place where we teachers can be examples of how to show kindness! Many times it is in passing, while students are traveling to and from the classroom. Saying good morning, holding a door, giving a smile, asking if you can help carry a box. My good friend Elaine, who I have taught with for many years; is a master kindness 'do-er! It amazes me how she involves the kids and quickly whips up something like a bouquet of "fresh flowers" for a very important someone in the school's front office. She lines the kids up and they make a quick trip to deliver. Can that be any more of an example of kindness? The students are being led by her example. Teachable moment, indeed!

#2: BE A CLASS LEADING BY EXAMPLE.  I loved creating this classroom kindness bulletin board  this year! It is covered with real, tried and true ways to show kindness. These ways can be generated as a class and then hung for others to try! Challenge students to do at least one each day and see what happens! Kindness is surely contagious.

#3: BE A STUDENT LEADING BY EXAMPLE. This little sheet is reminiscent of those old homemade advertisings that we'd make and hang on our local college board to sell a book or offer a tutoring service. Students can think of examples of kindness that can be done at home and write them in the spaces provide. Then simply cut and take home to hang.

Click to download for free.

Here are 10 teacher ideas that can spread kindness at school:

1.   Bring a cup of coffee to someone.

2.   Buy special soap or lotion for the staff bathroom.

3.   Smile at every person you pass in the school hallway today.

4.   Write a note to someone whose hard work may go unnoticed.

5.   Donate handsanitzer and tissues to the art or music teacher.

6.   Have a garden? Bring a flower and leave it on someone's desk.

7.   Compliment someone - tell them what you like best about him or her.

8.   Offer your parking space to someone who needs it.

9.   Bring extra forks or spoons to the teachers lounge.

10. Decorate a teachers desk ...leave a little sparkle!

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4 Tips for Surviving the Beginning of the Year (or all year)

Hey there! Our school year has started already and we have been busy building our classroom and school community. Here are a few tips that I use with my kiddos each year that I think always help our year go smoothly.
1. Introduce the staff. We have a VERY large Elementary school. (I am talking over 1200 kiddos.) We always have a ton of people who visit the school. These people have to go through a DL scanning process in order to receive a badge stating that they are allowed to be on campus.  Also, all school employees have badges that we are required to wear, but they don't all look the same. Not all schools may have this service (or badges), so my advice to you is to teach the kiddos who the adults are that may be all around them and what their job is.  For example, when you tour your school to show the students how to walk through the lunch line and pick their food, make it a point to introduce the cafeteria staff. As you walk by the clinic, ask the nurses to come out and meet your students. As you walk by the custodial office, pull those awesome people out and have them say hello.  After you have met everyone (don't forget the lovely front office staff) your kiddos will feel much more comfortable saying hello to those staff members that work so hard behind closed doors. The students will also know who to look for when delivering messages to some of those staff members.

2. Teach students to be courteous and respectful.  Our school strives through several lifelong guidelines that we teach every grade level from Pre-K to 5th.  This consistent policy of being trustworthy, being truthful, no put downs, being an active listener, and always doing your personal best helps our school wide community and the classroom community. The students know that all of those things are expected from them in ANY classroom, lunchroom, or playground that they step foot in.  One of the ways that I set up these expectations in my classroom is using this What Are Manners book and poster set.  (Just click the links below the pictures to download.)

The books are interactive asking students to draw non-examples and label manners.

The posters go great with the interactive books as anchor charts or reminders to keep up in the classroom all year.

3. Don't sweat the small stuff.  I have a tendency to get worked up over things that I want to be perfect. For example, my printer ran out of ink and the school doesn't let us do color copies, so my awesome, colorful labels for all the reading, math, science, and communication folders won't print. (It happens EVERY.YEAR!) But sometimes I need to think do those sweet faces really care if their journals all match or is it just my type A, OCD mind??? You got it, it's me!  In the great words of Princess Elsa, "Let it go, let it go!" Those precious little humans just want a loving, kind, fun teacher!!!

4.  Watch for sales!! I don't know about you, but I am constantly buying things for my classroom. In fact it is so bad that when my family is out shopping, I ask my children to tell me (force me really) to put it back.  I have also begun this habit of picking up extra snacks, or folders, or supplies (or whatever really) if it is BOGO. As teachers we put our hearts and souls in to our classrooms and our students but it should not be breaking the bank.

I hope these few little tips can help you start out and continue to have a great year!

3 Reasons to Build Classroom Community & 4 Free Resources

Room preparation, planning, goals, objectives, data collection, and the list goes on and on. There is so much to think about and do, at the beginning of a new term. It makes me tired just thinking about all there is to do. So why take the time to build classroom community in your classroom? Let’s start with three simple reasons.

1. When problems or disagreements arise, classrooms with a strong sense of community respond better.

2. Bullying and other types of negative interactions are less likely to happen within a strong classroom community.

3. Students feel safe in an environment where teachers model trust and respect.

So, How does this class with a solid community look and feel? First, there is an overall sense of trust. Yes, this takes time, and happens in small steps, but well worth the effort. There is also a sense of predictability within the classroom. Students know and are comfortable with the materials and routines. Students are familiar with their teacher and with each other. They know what to expect. Students support and encourage one another. All of this develops over time and starts the very first day of school.

There is a multitude of ideas and materials available that are useful for community building. Today, I’ll share a few that are free and easy to use.

1. About Me Banner - Each student completes and decorates a banner flag with information about themselves. Combine the flags into a banner and display in the hall or room.

Click Here for Free Download

2. Star Student Forms - Students will enjoy completing these forms with background information. Pair students and have them interview each other asking questions from their sheets. Each student then introduces their partner to the class.

Click Here for Free Download

3. Find Someone Who - Students move around the room, and form pairs. They exchange papers and look to see if they can complete one of the sections of their partner's paper. After thanking their partner, they continue to another partner. Students can only complete one section per paper until they have met with each student in the class.

Click Here for Free Download

4. Free Printable Community, Classroom, or Team Building Quotations - I love the power of inspirational quotes. Here are five freebies that can be printed and displayed for your class. They can be used as discussion points or simply as something to consider. Another idea is to display one of the quotes, and after discussion, ask students to paraphrase or elaborate on the statements.

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I am thinking a lot about community these days. This summer, I experienced in a very personal way, the positive power of community. Following a brief fight with a very aggressive cancer, my husband passed away. In the depths of darkness, I was, and continue to find myself surrounded by the kindness and love of family, friends, and neighbors. From across miles and years, people have shared in a powerful way their time, wisdom, and concern. For this caring community of friends, I am eternally grateful. This is the type of community I wish for you and your students.