Read on for the very best fall classroom bulletin board ideas for back to school!

Click to jump to…

• Why Are Bulletin Boards So Important?
• Fall Classroom Bulletin Board Ideas
  • Puzzle Piece Bulletin Board
  • Welcome To First Grade Bulletin Board
  • Growth Mindset Bulletin Board
  • Amazing Work To Come Bulletin Board
  • Ready To Learn Bulletin Board
  • Birthday Bulletin Board
  • Positive Affirmations Bulletin Board
  • Friendship Bulletin Board
• Fall Bulletin Board Inspiration

Why Are Bulletin Boards So Important?

Bulletin boards are more than just decorations—they're windows into the heart of your classroom! They can:

• Bring the seasonal spirit into your classroom.
• Support learning and make lessons more engaging.
• Create a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
• Encourage students to participate and show off their creativity.

In this guide, we'll share some awesome bulletin board ideas for fall and back-to-school that are sure to delight your students and make your classroom feel like home.

Fall Classroom Bulletin Board Ideas

During the back to school season, these fall classroom bulletin board ideas play an even bigger role. You'll be welcoming your students to their classroom for the first time, and of course you want them to feel excited about the new school year!

There are lots of ways to do this – from collaborative class bulletin boards, to playful and engaging displays, to craft displays – and I've got a little bit of all of them to share with you!

Welcome Fall Bulletin Board

Use teamwork to welcome fall with this adorable collaborative coloring poster! Each student colors in a square, and then the class has to work together to put all the pieces together. The puzzle then goes up on the bulletin board, creating the ultimate fall bulletin board. (This bulletin board template comes with 10 different picture and fall phrase designs to choose from.)

(You can get the template for this bulletin board in my TPT store right here.)

Puzzle Piece Bulletin Board

This is one of my favorite fall classroom bulletin board ideas because it doubles as a fun back to school activity! Each student colors in a puzzle piece, and then the class has to use teamwork to put the puzzle together. The puzzle then goes up on the bulletin board, symbolizing unity and honoring diversity in your classroom. (This bulletin board template comes with several puzzle size choices, so you can choose the one that works for your number of students.)

(You can get the template for this bulletin board FREE right here.)

Welcome To First Grade Bulletin Board

This is a great fall classroom teamwork activity you can do any time during the first month of school. It helps build community and gets students excited for the new school year. Each student gets to decorate one square – then put it together! (This template comes with designs for K-5, plus some non grade specific Back To School phrases).

(You can get the template for this bulletin board in my TPT store right here.)

Growth Mindset Bulletin Board

Fall is the perfect time to introduce growth mindset and to get your students excited about learning. This bulletin board is a great way to teach your students about fixed mindset and growth mindset. Helping your students understand these ideas from the very beginning of the year can be so helpful in setting the tone for your classroom and learning environment.

(You can get the template for this bulletin board in my TPT store right here.)

Amazing Work To Come Bulletin Board

Displaying student work is so important when creating your classroom environment. Creating a fall classroom bulletin board specifically for student work will help students get excited to start creating in their new room. This bulletin board showcases where the student work will go, so that students can feel appreciated and valued right away.

(You can get the template for this bulletin board in my TPT store right here.)

Ready to Learn Bulletin Board

This is another back to school bulletin board idea that involves creating a classroom craft. Students brainstorm what they want to learn this year and create their craft. Then create a bulletin board to showcase all of their crafts. This visual is not only beautiful, but it reminds students of why they are excited to be in school this year.

This craft template is perfect for creating this type of bulletin board!

(You can get the template for this bulletin board in my TPT store right here.)

Birthday Bulletin Board

Showing birthdays in your classroom is a fun way to make every student feel at home. With this back to school bulletin board idea, students see their birthdays displayed and know that they are honored and important in their new room. This bulletin board features whimsical images and calming pastel colors – always a big hit!

(You can get the template for this bulletin board in my TPT store right here.)

Positive Affirmations Bulletin Board

Not only does this bulletin board idea help students feel welcome and valued, it's also great way to weave some social emotional learning into your day. If you like to start the day off with positive affirmations for your students, this bulletin board is a perfect companion for that!

(You can get the template for this bulletin board in my TPT store right here.)

Friendship Bulletin Board

Teaching friendship skills at the beginning of the school year is a must. With this fall bulletin board idea, students first brainstorm ways to be a good friend. Then they add their flower to the bulletin board, creating a collaborative display together.

(You can get the template for this bulletin board in my TPT store right here.)

Fall Leaf Bulletin Board

This fall leaf themed bulletin board is such a fun addition to your classroom for fall. Write student names on the leaves and pin them up to create a fun display!

Fall Bulletin Board Inspiration

Back-to-school season is perfect times to refresh your classroom with these fall classroom bulletin board ideas. These boards not only celebrate learning but also enhance the classroom environment, making your room a welcoming and exciting place for students. From fostering creativity and social interaction to promoting academic skills and cultural awareness, these fall classroom bulletin board ideas offer endless possibilities to make your classroom vibrant and engaging.

Involve your students in the creation process to make the fall bulletin boards even more meaningful and to give them a sense of ownership and pride in their classroom. With a little creativity and enthusiasm, you can transform your classroom into a cozy, inspiring space where students love to learn.

Happy decorating, and enjoy the beautiful fall season with your students!

More Back To School Inspiration

Need more back to school ideas? These blog posts would be perfect for you to check out!

21 Amazing Ideas For Activities On The First Day Of School

Back To School Crafts You Need To Try This Year

Best Read Aloud Books for the First Week of School

Resources For You:

The post 10 Amazing Fall Classroom Bulletin Board Ideas You Will Love appeared first on Love Grows Learning.

While those can be fun, the truth is: you don’t need a fancy system to make rewards work. In fact, you can keep it simple, low-prep, and still see amazing results in student behavior and motivation.

The best part? When you shift your focus away from spending hours managing a reward store or cutting out tiny paper tokens, you free up time and energy to focus on what really matters: building a positive learning environment where students feel valued, supported, and excited to learn.

Let’s break down why complicated reward systems aren’t necessary — and what you can do instead to encourage good behavior, build intrinsic motivation, and make your classroom feel like a community.

Ready to hear the best classroom reward ideas that will actually work? Let's do it!

Looking for classroom rewards that actually work? This bundle has everything you need!

Click to jump to:

• Classroom Rewards That Actually Work
  • Do This First
  • Positive Reinforcement
  • Whole Class Rewards
  • Random Rewards
  • Just For Fun Rewards
• Classroom Rewards Ideas FAQ
• Classroom Rewards Tips
• Why You DON'T Need A Fancy Classroom Rewards System
• Classroom Rewards That Work For You

Why You DON'T Need A Fancy Classroom Rewards System

Look, I get it. The idea of a colorful prize cart or a shiny classroom store is tempting. You roll it out on Fridays, students get wide-eyed, and you feel like you’re in a commercial for the “world’s best teacher.”

But here’s the thing:

1. It’s exhausting to maintain. Keeping your store stocked, tracking points, and managing the “but I forgot my tickets!” drama can eat up hours. Not to mention the cost–who has the extra cash for all those stickers, prize boxes, and cute eraser toys?
2. It can overshadow intrinsic motivation. When rewards become the only reason kids behave, you’ll hear, “What do I get if I do this?” instead of “I want to do this because it’s the right thing.” That's not going to help you in the long run, and it's certainly not going to help your students.
3. Chart systems are shaming and do more harm than help. The same students will perpetually be in trouble on the clip chart. Chart or individual point systems do nothing to help break the cycle for those students who are often pushing the boundaries.

The truth is, you don’t need stickers, charts, or a store to build a positive behavior culture in your room. You can still make rewards exciting without the weekly trip to the dollar aisle.

The truth is, you don’t need stickers, charts, or a store to build a positive behavior culture in your room.

Let me show you exactly what you can do instead that will give you real results for your classroom. This is going to be so much more sustainable than some crazy individual rewards points or sticker system that you have to manage all year long.

Classroom Rewards Ideas That Actually Work

Instead of focusing on elaborate systems, keep your rewards flexible, fun, and meaningful. Here’s a simple classroom rewards idea where your rewards are helping alongside the rules and routines you've put in place, rather than being the centerstage attraction.

1. Get Super Clear on Your Rules

Before we talk about rewards, we have to lay a foundation. Rewards only work when students understand exactly what behavior earns them. Spend time teaching and practicing your rules and routines, especially at the beginning of the year or after long breaks. If you can read more about establishing classroom rules in this blog post here.

My favorite way to do this is:

• First create a classroom promise to establish your classroom values: Keep these simple and clear. Have your students sign the promise with a signature or a handprint to show they agree to follow these values.

You can get a free template to create your classroom promise right here.

• Next, focus on making your expectations during lessons crystal clear: You can invite students to help think of what these expectations should be. And don't forget that it may look different for different students.

You can get this inclusive listening body activity in my TPT store right here.

• Finally, use anchor charts and crafts to master classroom routines and procedures: Caring for classroom materials, the procedure to line up and come in every morning, transitioning from one thing to another throughout your classroom schedule… all these things need to be established and practiced!

You can find these anchor charts and craft activities in the Rules & Routines bundle on my TPT store.

As you're establishing these rules and routines, make sure to give lots of positive reinforcement to your students. There are lots of fun classroom reward ideas to do this – let's dive into that next!

2. Positive Reinforcement Ideas

Positive reinforcement is the biggest key to incorporating classroom reward ideas that rely on intrinsic motivation rather than rewards.

This means pointing out students who are following expectations, praising students who go above and beyond, and most of all showing students that your energy and attention are triggered by great behavior, not rule-breaking.

Pointing out the good things you see individual students and the entire class doing is also going to make you feel way more positive about your day–so that's a bonus too! You can do this at any time of day, but when you're first getting started, it's helpful to have some specific times when you are intentional about doing this. Some great times of day to point out positive things you are:

• When students come to the rug for a lesson: call out any students you see coming quickly and quietly, getting out the necessary materials, etc.
• Lining up for recess: notice students who are lining up appropriately, showing self control, and having safe bodies
• Transitions: mention students who are cleaning up right away, following the directions you gave to start the next thing, and being respectful to others
• Group or partner work: call out the groups or partners who are being kind, supportive, and on task

There are so many fun and easy positive reinforcement ideas, but here are a few of my favorites:

• Positive note home or email to parents (students love to show these off).
• Picking a stuffed animal “class mascot” to sit at their desk for the day.
• A time of day to give “teacher shout-outs” (or “student shout-outs” if you want to invite your students to start noticing great things too.)

These classroom reward ideas are simple, yet effective. And they put the emphasis on good behavior in action, rather than on earning rewards as a separate system.

3. Whole Class Rewards Ideas

When you want to encourage teamwork and build a sense of common goal, whole class rewards are your friend. These can be a powerful tool to motivate the whole class to work toward a behavior goal that will benefit the class as a whole.

These are also great because classmates are in it together–so it removes any kind of jealousy or competition that you can get when individual rewards are being handed out.

This is one of my favorite classroom reward ideas you can implement with the whole class:

• Group Incentive Charts: These are a great visual for students to see their progress as they work towards a goal. You can use a new one every month, or bring these out for particularly tough times (you know–like that last week before winter break!) Here's how it works….
  • Set a specific behavior goal with your students (not calling out, speaking respectfully, taking care of materials, etc.)
  • Every day that your class meets the goal to your satisfaction, you fill in one piece of the chart.
  • When the chart is all filled up, they've earned a reward!

You can get themed monthly incentive charts right here in my TPT store.

Wondering what to give your students as a reward when they complete their classroom goal? These are some classroom reward ideas to celebrate with your whole class:

• Dance party — play a couple of upbeat songs and let them move.
• Board games afternoon (bring in your own or borrow from the library).
• Pajama day with read-alouds and cozy activities.
• Extra recess or free time outside.
• Virtual field trips (these virtual field trips are my favorite to use).

4. Random Rewards for Students Doing Great Things

Sometimes the most effective rewards are unexpected. I highly recommend a stash of simple prizes or privileges for those “caught being awesome” moments.

These don't have to be fancy. Here are some classroom reward ideas that work great for random rewards:

• Brag bracelets: These are so fun to have on hand! Pass them out whenever you need to reel the class back in – once students see you giving them to others, they'll quickly get on board with what they should be doing!

You can get these brag bracelets here in my TPT store.

• Stickers: A random sticker here or there can be a great motivator. This is very different than a sticker store or anything that becomes collected or counted up.
• Something special to hold: You might have a special wand or little gem that you give to the student who transitions the most quickly, or the student who is participating the most – not a system you have to keep track of, just when you think of it!

These rewards also don't have to be tangible! It can be as simple as saying “Wow, I saw Kai clean up so quickly and come right to the rug–he's going to pick our brain break video for today!” Some other non-tangible reward ideas might be:

• Letting a student sit at the teacher’s desk for a lesson.
• Being first to choose their work during choice time.
• Giving them the job of line leader all day.

Random rewards are a powerful tool because they keep students on their toes — they never know when their good behavior will be noticed. I do recommend that you make sure every students gets a random reward now and then–this will keep everyone motivated to keep doing their best.

5. Just for Fun Rewards

Not all rewards have to be tied to behavior. Sometimes you just do something fun because you can.

A few ideas:

• Bring in your pet (with admin approval) for a visit.
• Surprise them with a midweek dance party.
• Let them bring a stuffed animal for the day.
• Organize a silly “teacher versus students” game.
• Give them special privileges like eating lunch in the classroom with friends.

These moments build relationships, which often leads to better behavior naturally.

Classroom Rewards FAQ

Q: How do I make sure rewards don’t become bribery?
A: The key is to focus on positive behavior rather than pointing out negative behavior. This will help build intrinsic motivation. Talk often about why behaviors matter, and what the expectations are.

Q: What if a student never earns a reward?
A: Make sure they do. Look for small wins. Recognize even tiny steps toward good behavior so no one feels left out.

Q: Do I have to spend money?
A: Nope! Some of the most effective rewards are special privileges or experiences that cost nothing.

Q: What if students only behave when rewards are on the line?
A: Gradually shift from frequent tangible rewards to more praise, positive notes, and privileges. Over time, they’ll start acting for the positive learning environment itself.

Q: What if I have one student who really needs more support to meet behavior goals?
A: Some students do need more support. I recommend using personal goal charts for these students. You can work them on specific behavior goals and set a separate reward for them when they meet it. Not all our students are in the same place–we need to meet each student where they're at to help them feel successful at school.

This sticker chart bundle has over 30 designs to pick from (because every student and situation is different!) You can get it right here in my TPT store.

Classroom Rewards Tips

1. Mix it up. Use a blend of individual student rewards and whole class rewards to keep things fresh.
2. Keep it visible. If you have a class goal (like filling a jar with pom-poms), put it somewhere students can see progress.
3. Don’t forget fun. Sometimes the best part of rewards is just laughing together during a dance party or board games session.
4. Make it meaningful. Kids know when a reward is just filler. Give them something they genuinely enjoy.
5. Set boundaries. If you promise a reward for the end of the day, stick to it — even if the day’s been chaotic.
6. Adapt for younger children. They respond best to quick, frequent rewards rather than long-term goals.

Classroom Rewards That Work For You

At the end of the day, classroom reward ideas work best when they’re simple, fun, and tied to building a strong, respectful classroom culture. You don’t need a Pinterest-perfect school store or a complicated chart system to make a big impact.

By focusing on positive reinforcement, mixing in whole class rewards, throwing in a few surprises, and making room for just-for-fun moments, you’ll create a classroom where students are motivated, supported, and excited to learn.

And honestly? That’s the best part of teaching.

Looking for classroom rewards that actually work? This bundle has everything you need!

Which of these tips are you most excited to try in your classroom? Let me know in the comments!
xoxo Laura

Resources For You:

Articles For You:

How To Teach Classroom Rules Students Will Actually Follow

Classroom Rules and Routines: The Ultimate List of Children’s Books

5 Must-Try Classroom Routine and Procedures Ideas

21 Amazing Ideas For Activities On The First Day Of School

The post Classroom Reward Ideas For Elementary (That Actually Work!) appeared first on Love Grows Learning.

Whether you're setting up your first classroom or you're a seasoned teacher, clear rules make your job easier and the students' experience better. This blog post will walk you through the importance of creating rules, how to teach them, and practical tips to make sure they actually stick.

Ready to dive into the must-teach classroom rules for elementary school? Let's do it!

Looking for lessons and activities for teaching rules and routines? These are ready to print and go!

Click to jump to:

• The Importance of Establishing Clear Classroom Rules
• The Top 3 Classroom Rules For Elementary School and How to Teach Them
  • Classroom Values
  • Lesson Expectations
  • Routines & Procedures
• Tips for Classroom Rules for Elementary School
• More Ideas to Reinforce Effective Classroom Rules
• Classroom Rules for Elementary School Are Crucial

The Importance of Establishing Clear Classroom Rules

The beginning of the school year is prime time to build the foundation for a positive learning environment. When you take time to establish clear guidelines and routines, you eliminate guesswork and reduce behavior issues before they start. That doesn’t just help with classroom management—it helps get your students ready to learn.

Effective classroom rules and routines…

• Help students feel safe and confident in your classroom.
• Support academic performance by reducing distractions and disruptive behaviors.
• Gives students structure, which lowers anxiety and boosts focus. (Kids, especially younger students, thrive on consistency.)
• Keep your classroom running smoothly during transitions.

When students walk into your classroom for the first time, they look for guidance. From the first day of school, they need to know where to sit, when to raise their hand, and what to do if they finish early. These small but essential routines help guide student learning and minimize confusion. Establishing classroom expectations early creates a strong rhythm that lasts the entire class period.

No matter your grade level, from younger classrooms to older students, setting clear expectations from day one is the foundation of effective teaching.

Elementary school students thrive when they understand the classroom procedures and what's expected of them. Without effective classroom rules, you're likely to spend more time managing behavior issues than delivering engaging lesson plans. And nobody wants that.

The Top 3 Classroom Rules For Elementary School and How to Teach Them

So what kind of classroom rules for elementary school work best? Here’s an in-depth look at the top three rules every elementary classroom needs. These aren’t just specific rules—they’re categories that guide student learning all year long. They serve as the pillars of good behavior, effective classroom management, and a positive classroom community:

• Classroom Values
• Lesson Expectations
• Routines & Procedures

Now let's dive into the best way to go about teaching theses crucial classroom rules for elementary school!

1. Classroom Values: Be Respectful, Responsible, and Ready to Learn

These values are the backbone of your classroom rules. You'll teach these first, and you'll keep returning to them throughout the school year.

• Respect means listening when others are talking, using kind words, and taking care of classroom materials.
• Responsibility includes coming to class prepared, owning up to mistakes, and doing your part in group work.
• Being ready to learn means bringing a positive attitude and staying engaged.

How to Teach It: Creating a classroom promise is my favorite way to teach these core classroom values. Here's how to do it:

1. Have students brainstorm what respect, responsibility, and readiness look like in action.
2. Reveal your classroom promise and read through each value, relating them to what students had suggested in their responses.
3. Have each student sign or decorate a handprint to go around the class promise, representing their agreement to follow those values in the classroom.

You can click here to get this classroom promise template for free – it's completely editable, so you can fill in the classroom values that you'd like to use for your classroom.

2. Lesson Expectations: Follow Directions the First Time

One of the most important classroom rules for elementary school is your rules for students while teaching is happening. Clear expectations around lessons make for effective teaching. Whether it’s during math, reading, or a science experiment, students need to understand that instructions matter. These expectations need to be reviewed frequently, especially at the beginning of the year.

How to Teach It: I love using this inclusive whole body listening chart for helping students understand their job during lessons. The visual makes it super clear what the expectations are, but there is enough flexibility to make it inclusive for student with different learning needs. Here's how to use it:

1. Ask students what they think their bodies should be doing while you're teaching. What should their eyes be doing? Their ears? Their hands?
2. Then show the anchor chart, and go through each body part and what the expectations are.
3. Explain that our bodies might need different things. One person might learn best criss-cross applesauce, and another person might learn best in a chair at their table.
4. Invite students to think about what they need in order to do their best learning. Then have them draw it out using the craft template.

You can get this anchor chart template and companion craft right here in my TPT store.

3. Routines: Know What to Do and When to Do It

Routines are the backbone of classroom rules for elementary school. Think lining up for recess, turning in homework, or putting away art materials. When kids know what’s expected, transitions become smooth and drama-free. But it takes plenty of practice and review.

How to Teach It: Teach each routine like it’s a lesson plan. Break it down into steps. Practice it with small groups or the entire class.

1. Make a list of all your routines and transitions throughout the day. It will be a loooong list. (Morning entry, turning in work, transitioning from lessons to independent work, using to the bathroom, cleaning up for recess, lining up after recess, storing materials, walking to and from specials…. you get the idea!)
2. Really think through each routine and how you want it to look in your classroom.
3. Choose a handful of routines to teach each day during the first two weeks of school, and plan to review them many times.

Here are some tips for teaching routines:

• Be sure to explain the purpose behind each routine—students are more likely to follow them when they understand the why.
• Model what following directions looks like. Role-play both correct and incorrect behavior.
• Use positive reinforcement when students follow directions right away. This helps prevent behavioral issues before they escalate and keeps lessons on track.
• Use hand signals or call-and-response cues to maintain student attention throughout the class period.
• Anchor charts work well here too. Create a visual checklist of what to do when given instructions.

These anchor charts make great visuals for your classroom routines. You can get these templates and companion crafts right here in my TPT store.

Tips for Classroom Rules for Elementary School

Here are some effective methods to make your classroom rules for elementary school work like a charm:

• Keep It Short: Your list of rules should be 3–5 max. More than that, and students (especially younger classrooms) will forget them. This also makes the rules easier to review and memorize.
• Use Visuals: Anchor charts, hand signals, and posters help reinforce the rules for visual learners. Display them on your bulletin board and refer back often.
• Make It a Class Project: Let students help create the rules. This rule-making process gives them a sense of ownership, which boosts buy-in. It also supports classroom discussions and encourages a positive classroom community.
• Practice, Practice, Practice: Just like multiplication tables, class rules need repetition. Go over them every day during the first week of school and revisit regularly. Use class meetings to review what’s working and what needs adjusting.
• Use Positive Reinforcement: Celebrate good behavior with praise, stickers, or class points. It’s an effective classroom management tool, and it encourages students to keep it up. Reinforcement doesn’t always have to be physical rewards—public praise or a quick call home goes a long way too.
• Adapt to Your Grade Level: Effective rules for first graders look different from those for older students or middle school. Tailor your set of rules to fit your group. For instance, high school students might handle more abstract guidelines, but elementary students need specific rules like “Raise your hand before speaking.”
• Stay Consistent: Consistency is everything. If a rule exists, it needs to be enforced every class period, for every student. Inconsistent enforcement undermines your credibility and opens the door to behavior issues.
• Update as Needed: Sometimes the best classroom rules need a refresh. Mid-year is a good time to check in with your class and tweak rules if needed. Classroom behavior can change over time, especially after winter break.
• Tie Rules to a Bigger Purpose: Explain how rules help create a positive learning environment where everyone can succeed. When students see rules as tools for success rather than punishment, their attitude changes.
• Display Rules Clearly: Post your classroom rules somewhere highly visible. Your bulletin board, whiteboard, or near the door are all great options. Use large, bold fonts and kid-friendly language.
• Connect Rules to Real-Life Skills: Explain how being respectful and responsible now helps them become trustworthy friends, leaders, and citizens later. Even elementary students appreciate being treated like future grown-ups.

More Ideas to Reinforce Effective Classroom Rules

1. Daily Rule Reminders: Use morning meetings to highlight one rule per day. Relate it to the day's lesson plans or upcoming events.
2. Weekly Celebrations: Choose a student who modeled the class rules and celebrate them with a small certificate or extra privilege.
3. Storytime Tie-ins: Use books and stories that reinforce themes of good behavior and clear expectations. Discuss how characters follow or break rules.
4. Interactive Games: Play rule-themed games during the first week of school to build engagement. Think Simon Says with class rules or matching activities.
5. Rule Review Videos: Record your class acting out the rules and play it back. Let students become the role models for each other.
6. Parent Involvement: Share your rules and classroom procedures with parents during open house or through a newsletter. Encourage them to reinforce expectations at home.

Classroom Rules for Elementary School Are Crucial

Classroom rules for elementary school aren’t just about control—they’re about creating a safe, supportive, and positive classroom community. With clear rules, strong routines, and a dash of creativity, you’re setting your students up for a successful school year.

From the first day of school to the last bell rings, rules and routines shape your classroom behavior and guide student learning. Whether you’re in your first classroom or your fifteenth, using effective classroom rules for elementary school is always a good idea.

Effective rules do more than keep the peace—they make room for learning, laughter, and community. So tape those rules to your bulletin board, practice them every morning, and enjoy the magic that happens when your students know exactly what to do and how to do it.

Here’s to a productive learning environment, a positive classroom community, and your best school year yet. With a thoughtful list of rules, consistent classroom procedures, and creative strategies to boost student behavior, you're building something amazing.

Whether you're a new teacher figuring out your classroom management style or a veteran looking to improve your ground rules, this blog post should be your go-to guide. From the first week of school to the end of the year, the rules you set today will shape the learning that happens tomorrow.

Classroom rules for elementary school aren’t just a checklist—they’re your roadmap to an effective, joyful, and well-run classroom. So go ahead: write those rules, model them proudly, and let your students thrive!

Which of these tips are you most excited to try in your classroom? Let me know in the comments!
xoxo Laura

Resources For You:

Articles For You:

How To Teach Classroom Rules Students Will Actually Follow

Classroom Rules and Routines: The Ultimate List of Children’s Books

5 Must-Try Classroom Routine and Procedures Ideas

21 Amazing Ideas For Activities On The First Day Of School

The post The Only 3 Classroom Rules For Elementary School You Need appeared first on Love Grows Learning.

Reading some end of the year books together is the perfect way to help make this transition better for everyone. Whether you're a seasoned kindergarten teacher or about to finish your first year in first grade, reading aloud during the last week of school can help everyone process the change, celebrate the past year, and look forward to what’s next.

Read on for the perfect end of the year books to read to your students, as well as some companion activities!

These end of the year activities are ready to print and go! Get ready to make some core memories.

Click to jump to:

• Why The End Of The Year Transition Matters
• Why Read Alouds Are A Must For The End Of The Year
• End Of The Year Books To Try This Year
  • Getting Excited For The Future
  • Celebrating The Year
  • Saying Goodbye
• Tips For Reading End Of The Year Books
• Saying Goodbye To Your Students

Why the End of the Year Transition Matters

Students spend over 180 days in your classroom. That’s a long time for a young child. The routines, the friendships, the structure—all of it becomes a big part of their world. So, when the end of each school year comes, it’s not just the beginning of summer vacation; it’s also the end of a safe space.

Even kids excited for the next grade may feel nervous about leaving their teacher and classroom behind. For some, the last days of school can be tough. That’s why helping them mark the transition with some thoughtful, funny, or emotional end of the year read-alouds can make a real difference.

Teachers can also use this time to create rituals or class traditions that honor the past year. Think autograph books, goodbye letters, memory walls, or even a class awards day where everyone is celebrated. These small, consistent practices paired with great end of the year books can give closure and reinforce positive memories.

Why Read-Alouds Are A Must For The End Of The Year

Reading aloud is a daily part of many elementary classrooms, but during the final weeks of school, it becomes something more. It’s a way to slow down, reflect, and connect. A great book can open up conversations about change, growth, and saying goodbye.

End of the year books are also a great way to support young readers who may have complicated feelings about summer break. Some kids love it. Others dread it. Picture books about big transitions lets them know those feelings are okay.

And let’s be honest—we teachers need this too. Sharing a sweet end of the year book with your class gives you a chance to pause and feel all the things that come with saying goodbye to your students. It’s also a great reminder of why we love teaching in the first place.

End of the Year Books To Try This Year

There are so many special books out there, but these end of the year books are some of my favorite read-alouds to pull out in the final days. I’ve broken them down into a few categories to help you pick the perfect book for your classroom.

Some of these end of the year books also have wonderful companion activities to make your end of school celebrations even more fun!

Here are some end of the school year read alouds about getting excited for what's coming next, celebrating the year you've had together, and saying goodbye.

Getting Excited for the Future

It's so important to remind students that they have lots to look forward to at the end of the year. Even though they're time with you might be ending, you can show them that the future is bright and full of wonderful opportunities!

Our World Needs You

This sweet book reminds students that their unique gifts and talents are made to be shared with the world. Let students know that they are so special, and that you can't wait to see what they do next!

You can pair this book with this fun and inspiring craft and display, where students think about what they want to do for the world when they grow up.

The Night Before Summer Vacation

A heartwarming book wishing your students hope and joy as they move on from your classroom.

I Wish You Happiness

This book is a wish for a future filled with joy and purpose. Send your students off with a sweet message of love and happiness as they finish the year.

Summer Days

Get your students excited for summer with this book that celebrates the season of summer and all the things there are to look forward to!

Celebrating the Year

These end of school books are perfect for celebrating all the growth and learning you've done together over the year. You can use these to help your students reflect on their learning and how far they've come. I've also included some possible companion activities to use with them as well.

A Letter From Your Teacher On The Last Day Of School

A sweet message from a teacher on the last day of school, writing to her students about the amazing year they've had together.

I'm Glad I Was Your Teacher

A teacher reminiscing about all the wonderful memories her and her class have made together during the school year.

Memory Jars

This sweet story follows a little girl who wants to save every memory. It’s a great way to talk about all the moments that made this school year special.

Doing a memories craft is a great way to remember the year and celebrate the good times you've had together. Here is a memories flower craft where students share a favorite memory on each petal of the flower.

Saying Goodbye

These end of the year books are especially helpful to students who might be having a hard time saying goodbye at the end of the year. They emphasize that it's not really “goodbye”, it's just “see you later”!

Last Day Blues

This book is funny, relatable, and captures how students (and teachers!) feel during the last days of school. It’s also a great book to ease the emotions that come with change.

Goodbye For Now

A teacher says goodbye to her students and lets them know that they will still see her and she will still be cheering them on!

Instead Of Goodbye

A lovely book to help students who are having a hard time with saying goodbye. This story reminds students that this isn't the end, but instead it's a new beginning!

This yearbook is a great way to help younger students say goodbye to one another. Students swap booklets and draw a picture and write their name in their classmate's book. The perfect keepsake!

Tips for Reading End of the Year Books

Here are some things to keep in mind when you're choosing end of the year books to read with your class.

1. Choose books that fit your class vibe. Every group is different. Some might love a funny story like “Last Day Blues,” while others connect more with a sweet story like “Our Class Needs You”.
2. Use books as a jumping-off point. After reading “Memory Jars,” have your students create their own jars or write about their favorite memories. It’s a great way to reflect on the past year.
3. Make it part of your countdown. If you do an ABC countdown or another fun way to end the year, include a special book for each day.
4. Let the kids choose. Put out a few options and let your class vote on what to read. This gives them ownership and gets them excited.
5. Connect it to next steps. If you’re sending kids off to the next grade, middle school, or even high school, pick stories that get them thinking about the journey ahead.

Saying Goodbye

Reading end of the year books is more than just a way to fill time during those hectic last weeks of school. It’s a great way to honor your students' growth, say goodbye with love, and get them excited for new adventures.

Whether you’re flipping through picture books during the last day of school or sharing a sweet book during the final days of school, these stories can help everyone process the emotions that come with change. They remind us that each ending is also a beginning.

So go ahead—grab one of your favorite books, gather your young readers on the carpet, and make those last moments count. The end of the school year only comes once a year, and these end of the year books make it unforgettable.

Note: This post may contain Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. But rest assured, I only recommend the books I truly love and would use in my own classroom.

Have you seen my latest book yet? Our World Needs You is the perfect end of the year read aloud!

Which of these books are you going excited try this year? Let me know in the comments!
xoxo
Laura

Resources For You:

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9 Amazing End Of The Year Classroom Party Ideas

10 End of the Year Craft Ideas Your Students Will Absolutely Love

Student Gifts For The End Of The Year That Are Totally Cute And Totally Affordable 

5 Activities For The End Of The School Year That Your Students Will Love!

The post 15 Must-Read End Of The Year Books For Students appeared first on Love Grows Learning.

This guide is here to help you turn those rules into something exciting that your students will not only remember but actually want to follow. From using creative visuals to positive reinforcement, we’re going to explore a variety of ideas for how to teach classroom rules and make them an integral and enjoyable part of your teaching strategy.

I've created a guide for how to teach classroom rules to set you and your students up for success! Read on to get started!

Looking for lessons and activities for teaching rules and routines? These are ready to print and go!

Click to jump to:

• Your Guide To Classroom Rules
• How To Teach Classroom Rules
  • Introducing Core Rules
  • Getting To Know Your Classroom
  • Introducing Classroom Materials
  • Procedures and Routines
  • Practicing A Listening Body
• Build a Strong Classroom Community
• Teaching Classroom Rules

Your Guide to Classroom Rules

Teaching classroom rules isn’t just about keeping things in order. It's about creating a safe space where kids feel confident, supported, and ready to learn. Done well, it sets the foundation for your classroom culture, your teaching style, and your students' ability to thrive.

So, how do you actually do it?

Let’s break it down.

Before diving into how to teach classroom rules, you need a plan. Think of this as your personal guidebook to kicking off your classroom procedures with clarity and confidence.

Start by deciding on a reasonable number of core classroom rules. For younger students, keep it simple—three to five specific rules is usually just right. You want your entire class to understand them, remember them, and use them. For example:

• Be kind.
• Listen when others are speaking.
• Take care of our things.
• Try your best.

Next, think through your procedures and routines. Each of these have lots of mini expectations that you will have to teach and practice when you think about how to teach classroom rules. For example:

• Walk, don't run to get in line.
• Keep your hands to yourself in line.
• No talking when we walk through the hall in our line.

Once you have your rules decided on and your routines thought through, then you're ready to teach them! Let's walk through the best way to break it down for students in a fun and engaging way that they won't forget!

How to Teach Classroom Rules

Teaching class rules isn’t just reading a list aloud and hoping it sticks. It takes planning, modeling, and practice. When we're thinking about how to teach classroom rules, we have to remember that it's not a “one and done” process. It takes consistent review and practice, especially at the beginning of the year for students to learn all their classroom rules, and then be able to follow them.

It's a good idea to break up your rules and procedures over the first couple of weeks of school, in order to help students absorb it all. Here is how I recommend you go about teaching your rules and routines:

1. Introducing Your Core Rules

When thinking of how to teach classroom rules, it's best to start by introducing your main set of rules. These are core values that apply no matter what time of day it is.

You can do this with an anchor chart (which doubles as a great visual to leave in the classroom all year round). This anchor chart template is available here.

Another great way to introduce these classroom rules is with a classroom promise. In this activity, students brainstorm what they think the rules should be. Then you reveal your rules, connecting them to the ideas that they shared. Finally, each student decorates a handprint or makes a signature to add around the rules, showing that they promise to try their best to follow the rules of the classroom.

Class promises are a great way to start a conversation about what the classroom should look like and feel like, and to help students feel like they are part of their new classroom. You can get this class promise template right here for free.

You can then use a fun craft to review these rules after you've taught them. Remember – it's all about repetition, repetition, repetition! This craft template is available here.

2. Getting to Know the Classroom

The first week of school is a great time for a classroom tour. Students need to feel comfortable and welcome in their new classroom before we can start teaching them a bunch of new expectations. We want to help them learn where everything lives: pencils, tissues, turn-in bins, classroom library. They also need to learn which parts of the classroom are used for daily classroom routines.

A fun way to do this is to create a large map of the classroom. After giving students a tour, invite them to label the map with sticky notes to show where different items are stored and what different parts of the room are used for. You can get this anchor chart template right here.

Another fun activity to learn the classroom layout is to do a scavenger hunt. Give students a list of items to check off as they find. This is an interactive and engaging way to review after a classroom tour. You can get this editable scavenger hunt template right here.

3. Introducing Classroom Materials

Introducing classroom materials is an important part of how to teach classroom rules. Start right away, and don't be afraid to take time with this. Teaching students how to care for classroom materials is a worthwhile investment of your time at the beginning of the school year. You'll want to make expectations clear and review them often.

Here's how you can teach these expectations: Every time you give students a new classroom item, give them a chance to explore it and talk together about how it should be used.

Create a visual and have students help fill in the correct way to use an item. Add each new item to the chart as more are introduced. Make sure to give lots of reminders every time a material is used during these first few weeks. Students won't remember it all the first time! You can get these anchor chart templates right here.

A great way to review these expectations for caring for materials is to create a flipbook. This is a fun craft that helps students take ownership for the correct way to handle their classroom materials. You can get this flipbook template right here!

4. Procedures and Routines

Procedures and routines account for most of our rules, so they are an important part of how to teach classroom rules. You'll also want to start teaching a few procedures and routines each day. Make a schedule so you know which routines you're going to teach on each day. Go over all the steps of the routine, and then have your students practice. Some other fun ways to practice are:

• Demonstrate the routine, but do some things incorrectly. Invite your students to correct you.
• After you explain the steps, ask for a few volunteers to demonstrate for the class – students love getting up and being the example!
• Have the whole class practice and then rate themselves, giving feedback on how they could improve the routine.
• If it's a transitioning routine, you can time the class. Challenge them to beat their time and get faster and smoother at transitioning (Just make sure they know not to run!)

For a routine or procedure that is especially tricky or that students need to do independently, consider creating a visual for them to refer to in the classroom. This anchor chart is a great example of a helpful chart that students can use during the school day. You can get this anchor chart template right here!

To help students get used to their new routines, you can have them create a daily schedule. This is a fun way for them to remember the parts of the day and feel more comfortable with their new daily rhythm. You can get the template for this schedule booklet right here!

5. Practicing A Listening Body

Let's talk about how to teach classroom rules for when you're teaching and students are learning. You will want to spend extra time going over expectations during lessons. A great way to do this is to talk about using our “listening body”.

A “listening body” is a visual and physical cue for what active listening looks like, and it covers most of the rules you would need to teach for lesson times:

• Eyes on the lesson
• Ears listening
• Mouth quiet
• Hands to yourself
• Body quiet and comfortable

Now, I like to make this more inclusive by teaching multiple choices for what this might look like. You can talk about how some students may need a fidget to keep their hands to themselves. Some students might sit criss-cross, others might need a chair, or to sit on their knees.

You can decide what options work for your classroom, but it's important to emphasize that not everyone's listening body will look the same.

This anchor chart visual is a great way to teach what a listening body should look like. Show the image to your students and then label each part with them to get them thinking about what their bodies need to do their best listening. You can get this anchor chart template right here!

Then you can have students reflect on what their bodies need with this independent craft. This activity encourages students to take ownership of being able to pay attention during lesson times. You can get this craft template right here!

Build a Strong Classroom Community

Teaching rules isn’t just about avoiding disruptive behaviors. It’s about building a classroom where students feel like they belong.

We do this by making our rules clear and consistent, with plenty of opportunities for practice and review.

You can use children’s books to emphasize many of your classroom rules, or to help review them for students. I've compiled a complete list in this blog post: Classroom Rules and Routines: The Ultimate List of Children’s Books.

Also, don’t underestimate the power of positive reinforcement. Notice and name the good behavior you see: “You lined up so quietly, good job following our hallway rule!” The more students see that you will give your energy and attention to following the rules, the less likely they'll be tempted to act out.

Emphasizing teamwork can also go a long way in helping students follow rules consistently. When students feel like they’re part of a team, it motivates them to do their personal best.

If you want more ideas on building classroom community, you can read my blog post on The Best Activities To Build Classroom Community To Try Now.

Teaching Classroom Rules

How to teach classroom rules isn’t just a box to check off during your first day of school lesson plans. It’s an ongoing, evolving part of the school year.

When you take time to set clear guidelines, model effective classroom rules, and build in lots of practice, you create a productive learning environment where classroom behavior improves and disruptive behaviors fade.

And the best part? Your classroom becomes a place where students know what to expect, how to succeed, and how to support each other. You build not just rule-followers, but community members.

So whether you're teaching your first grade level or you're a seasoned pro, remember this: clear, consistent, and kind wins every time.

How to teach classroom rules doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be intentional. Start strong, revisit often, and make it a fun way to grow together.

Here’s to fewer interruptions, more smiles, and a classroom that runs like a dream.

Which rules ideas are you going excited try this year? Let me know in the comments!
xoxo
Laura

Resources For You:

Articles For You:

The Best Ways To Review Classroom Daily Routines After A Break

Classroom Rules and Routines: The Ultimate List of Children’s Books

5 Must-Try Classroom Routine and Procedures Ideas

21 Amazing Ideas For Activities On The First Day Of School

The post How To Teach Classroom Rules Students Will Actually Follow appeared first on Love Grows Learning.

I've rounded up the best self esteem activities for kids that you can try today! Read on to learn about them!

Click to jump to:

• Why We Need To Teach Self Esteem
• Self Esteem and Mental Health in the Classroom
• Best Self Esteem Activities for Kids
  • Crafts
  • Children's Books
  • Group Activities
• Tips for Teaching Self Esteem
• The Effects of Practicing Mental Health in the Classroom

Why We Need to Teach Self Esteem

Incorporating self-esteem activities for kids in the classroom is one of the best ways to help young children develop a strong sense of self-worth. This impacts their success in the classroom in a very real way. A child's self-esteem influences their ability to try new things, engage in social situations, and handle negative thoughts.

Children with healthy self-esteem are more likely to…

• Embrace a growth mindset when learning new concepts
• Tackle difficult tasks with resilience and perserverence
• Develop strong problem-solving skills
• Have healthy and positive relationships with peers and teachers
• Engage more with academic topics and tasks

By integrating self esteem activities for kids into daily lessons, teachers can play a crucial role in shaping positive outcomes for students.

Self Esteem and Mental Health in the Classroom

Mental health is an important part of a child's overall well-being, and good self-esteem plays a crucial role in maintaining emotional development. When children experience low self-esteem, they may struggle with negative self-talk, avoiding new challenges or doubting their own abilities.

Creating a supportive environment where children can practice self esteem activities for kids and focus on their positive traits helps to counteract these negative feelings. Teachers who prioritize emotional intelligence and social development in their classrooms help students build a positive self-image and healthy relationships with peers.

There are lots of times that we can incorporate self esteem activities for kids into our school day. For example:

• During morning meeting or circle time
• As part of our social emotional learning lesson time
• As an option during choice time or workshop time
• During transitions between lessons or going/coming from recess

Let's dive into some examples of self esteem activities for kids that you can start using in your classroom right away!

Best Self Esteem Activities for Kids

There are various self esteem activities for students that teachers can use to foster self esteem in the classroom. These activities focus on promoting positive thinking, problem-solving skills, and a sense of accomplishment.

I've rounded up some of my favorites. Some of these are independent craft projects that students do on their own, some are group activities to do together as a class, and some are discussions around children's books that are relevant to the topic of children's self esteem.

In deciding which of these self esteem activities for kids are best for your students, think of the needs of your students as well as what works best for you in your classroom planning. There's no wrong way to do it, as long as you're doing something! It's always okay to start simple and then plan to do more later.

Crafts

Crafting is a great way to help children express their emotions and recognize their strengths. Crafts help students practice and apply new skills without even realizing they are doing this hard work! I love using crafts in my classroom as a way to review any topic, and social emotional topics are no different.

These crafts have been selected because they are age appropriate and research based self esteem activities for kids. They are also very low prep, and don't require extra work from you to add to your lessons – so it's a win-win!

Here are some fun and confidence-building activities you can use with your students:

Positive Affirmations Craft

In this craft, students think of adjectives that describe themselves. They put these adjectives around a self-portrait, creating their very own affirmation station. You can brainstorm positive adjectives with your class (and weave a grammar review in there at the same time!) to help them get going. These can be displayed in the classroom, or kept at students' desks as a constant reminder of how great they are!

You can get this template here, as part of the Self Love Lessons & Activities.

Bucket Filler Craft

In this self esteem craft for kids, students think of positive messages they can tell themselves to fill their own buckets. The bucket metaphor (see book suggestion below!) is a well-loved metaphor that is great for children. Then students write their positive messages in stars and hearts and glue them around their bucket. You can brainstorm positive messages with your class to help them get going. These make a fun display for your classroom!

You can get this template here, as part of the Self Love Lessons & Activities.

“What I Love About Me” Craft

In this self esteem activity for kids, students think of things they love about themselves. This can be anything from their long curly hair to their funky dance moves to their empathy for others. Then students write down three of these things to help them remember how great they are. This is a wonderful activity for helping students wire their brain to recognize positive things about themselves and send themselves positive messages.

You can get this template here, as part of the Self Love Lessons & Activities.

Taking Care Of Me Craft

In this self care craft for kids, students are invited to think hard about what they need to feel supported. Self care is an important skill, and it takes self reflection to be able to recognize what we need in the moment when we are upset. This flipbook walks students through the process of reflecting on what helps them feel better when they are upset – what people can they talk to? where can they go? what activities are soothing? Recording this information in a flipbook will help students be more likely to act on these ideas when they are next upset.

You can get this template here, as part of the Self Love Lessons & Activities.

Self Love Journal

Journaling is an important skill that can be especially helpful to young people as they learn to navigate their feelings. Journaling is one of my favorite self esteem activities for kids, because there are so many possibilities. From positive affirmations to identifying emotions, there are lots of possibilities for journaling. Including self love journaling as a weekly activity can be a great way to help students build these important social emotional learning skills.

You can get this Self Love Journal template here.

Books

Reading children's books that highlight self-esteem and confidence is an important part of fostering a positive mindset. Children's books are a wonderful way to show examples of new strategies or concepts – when students see them in action in the characters' stories, they are more likely to be able to apply these ideas to their own lives.

I've rounded up some ideas for you that cover topics like positive affirmations, accepting and loving our unique qualities, and reflecting on our needs when we're upset. These books can be great companions to some of the other self esteem activities for kids included in this post!

Check out these self esteem children's books and choose a few to read to your students:

Incredible You

This book validates the familiar feeling of wishing we were someone else. But then it goes on to remind students of all the amazing things that only they can do! This book is great for curbing feelings of jealousy or inadequacy amongst your students.

I Am, I Can

This book provides daily affirmations, along with some activities to go with them. This is a great book to pair with the self affirmations craft.

How Full Is Your Bucket?

Students have probably heard about filling each other’s buckets to spread kindness. Whenever someone receives a kind compliment, their bucket is filled. Whenever something negative happens, their bucket gets dipped. This book reminds students that we have to fill our own buckets too!

It's Okay

This book teaches students that even when they mistake or are having a hard time, they are still worthy of love and acceptance. This is an especially helpful book to read to students who have a hard time with perfectionism or making mistakes.

Sometimes I Need

This is a wonderful book with lots of strategies students can use for identifying what they need when they’re having a hard time. Use this book to help your students reflect on how they can help themselves and empower them to ask for what they need when they are upset.

Full Class Activities

It can be fun to do some self esteem activities with your whole class. These ideas give you some anchor charts that you can do to get the whole class involved and practicing self esteem strategies.

I love doing this type of activity to hype up your class before a big test or when starting a new concept that’s particularly challenging.

You can use these examples as inspiration to draw your own anchor charts. Or, I've also included the links to check out the templates if you'd like to save time by printing them or tracing them!

What I Love About Me Chart

In this self esteem activity, students think of something that makes them unique and special. They each write their idea down on a star and add it to the anchor chart. I love this activity for highlighting that our differences are actually unique qualities to be loved and appreciated. Reframing negative thoughts about the self is so important, especially for children.

You can get this template here, as part of the Self Love Lessons & Activities.

Positive Affirmations Chart

For this anchor chart, students have to help think of positive affirmations. This can become your own little classroom affirmation station. Post it in the classroom and let students start the day by saying a positive affirmation of their choice!

You can get this template here, as part of the Self Love Lessons & Activities.

I Can Fill My Heart Chart

In this self esteem activity, students think of a kind message they can tell themselves. They each write their idea down on a heart and add it to the anchor chart. I love this activity for helping our students practice positive self talk and self encouragement.

You can get this template here, as part of the Self Love Lessons & Activities.

Taking Care Of Me Chart

In this self esteem activity, students brainstorm ways that they can take care of themselves when they are having a hard time. Encourage them to think of people they can talk to about what's wrong, safe spaces they can go to reset, and soothing activities that help them self regulate. You can have students share their ideas and write them on the chart, or have students write them on sticky notes and add them to the chart themselves. I love this activity for practicing self care habits and getting students thinking about ways they can advocate for themselves.

You can get this template here, as part of the Self Love Lessons & Activities.

Positive Affirmations Song

This self esteem activity for kids is not an anchor chart – it's a song! And it's a great activity to do with your class that requires zero prep from you! Singing a positive affirmations song as part of your morning meeting or morning circle time can be a great way to start the day off with positivity and high self esteem.

I love this ABCs song because it's catchy and fun – students will love seeing the affirmations paired with each letter.

If you want to try this song out in your class, you can check it out right here.

Tips for Teaching Self Esteem

If you're ready to jump into this important work and start doing some self esteem activities for children in your classroom, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind. These will help you get the most out of each activity, so that students are absorbing and applying these skills while doing this important work.

1. Encourage Positive Reinforcement: Praise effort and hard work rather than just outcomes. This helps build a child's confidence in their own abilities.
2. Create a Safe Space: Ensure students feel comfortable expressing themselves without fear of judgment. A supportive environment fosters a positive self-image. It's important to go over norms or expectations with your class before starting these important discussions.
3. Model Positive Self-Talk: Demonstrate how to replace negative self-talk with positive statements. Children learn by example, so being a role model is essential.
4. Use Physical Activities: Engaging in physical activities like yoga, dance, or team sports is a great way to boost self-esteem and develop social skills.
5. Incorporate Social Situations: Group projects and interactive games help students practice social skills and build confidence in social development. Any time you can turn something into a group activity, you'll get more mileage out of it!
6. Introduce Role Models: Share stories about individuals who overcame challenges and developed a strong sense of self-worth through perseverance and positive changes.
7. Encourage Problem-Solving Skills: Allow students to tackle challenges on their own with guidance, helping them feel capable and independent. It's okay if these conversations feel hard. Help students understand that this important work takes time to master.
8. Engage Family Members: Involve parents and guardians in self-esteem-building activities at home to reinforce what is taught in the classroom.
9. Address Low Self-Esteem Early: If a child is struggling, provide additional support and, if necessary, recommend professional help to ensure their mental health is prioritized.

The Effects of Practicing Mental Health in the Classroom

It's not that hard to start weaving these activities into your classroom – you just have to pick a way to start and jump in! And the effects of doing so will be so worth it. Our students need these kinds of activities to help them build the skills to succeed in the classroom.

When children are taught the importance of self-esteem, they develop healthier relationships, handle social situations with confidence, and approach new things with excitement rather than fear. Positive reinforcement, a safe space, and engaging activities all contribute to emotional intelligence and self-worth. Over time, these confidence-building activities help students achieve high self-esteem, fostering resilience and a lifelong positive self-image.

By prioritizing self-esteem education, teachers empower students to believe in themselves, take on difficult tasks with courage, and embrace the challenges of growing up. The best way to support young learners is to make self-esteem a central focus in the classroom, helping them grow into confident, capable individuals.

So... Which self esteem activity are you going to start with?

Resources For You

Articles For You:

10 Growth Mindset For Kids Activities Your Students Will Love

35 Must-Have Social Emotional Learning Books For Teachers And Students

The Best Social Emotional Curriculum for Elementary School

Essential Social Emotional Learning Activities To Help Your Students Thrive

The post Best Self Esteem Activities For Kids To Boost Mental Health appeared first on Love Grows Learning.

Read on for the best social emotional learning books for teachers in elementary school to read to their students!

Want to teach social emotional learning to your students, but not sure where to start? Check out these done-for-you lessons, complete with age appropriate and research based crafts and activities!

The Importance of Social Emotional Learning

Social emotional learning (SEL) plays a vital role in helping young children develop essential skills like self-awareness, problem solving, and conflict resolution. When children learn how to manage their emotions and interact positively with others, it strengthens their ability to build strong relationships and succeed academically.

Many school districts now integrate SEL curriculum into their daily routines, recognizing that emotional intelligence is just as critical as math and reading skills. Research shows that fostering social-emotional learning leads to increased student well-being and creates a positive school community.

However, it can be so hard to know where to start with teaching this, especially if you don't have resources from your district or school. Read alouds are a wonderful way to teach these topics to students of all ages. These social emotional learning books for teachers are the perfect place to start your social emotional learning instruction!

Using Books to Teach Social Emotional Learning Skills

Books are one of the best ways to introduce and reinforce SEL competencies. Stories allow young learners to see characters experiencing emotions, making choices, and developing positive relationships. By discussing picture books in book clubs or as part of read-aloud sessions, teachers can guide deep reflection and provide evidence-based advice for handling real-life situations.

Using children’s books in the classroom is a great way to promote social awareness and encourage thoughtful conversations about emotions, friendships, and personal growth.

I've gathered up the best social emotional learning books for teachers to use with their students for the major SEL topics you might be interested in teaching.

Social Emotional Learning Books For Teachers

Growth Mindset

Developing a growth mindset is an essential skill for young people. Books that teach perseverance and resilience help elementary students understand that mistakes are part of learning. A strong foundation in growth mindset helps students embrace challenges and develop confidence in their abilities. Some social emotional learning books for teachers in this category include:

Your Fantastic Elastic Brain is a great book for explaining the science behind our brains and what happens to them when we persevere and learn new things.

The Magical Yet is a beautifully illustrated book shows the magic of trying new things that are still out of your reach. You can’t do it YET, but with practice and time, you’ll get there!

In The Most Magnificent Thing, a young girl works hard on creating a magical invention using her imagination. Along the way, she learns about anger, frustration, and patience.

I Can Do Hard Things is a wonderful book that provides lots of positive affirmations that children can tell themselves. It explores doubts that we face in different situations, and offers helpful strategies.

In Butterflies For Kiri, Kiri wants to make an origami butterfly, but it’s harder than she expects. She experiences frustration and wants to give up, but she learns that practice pays off.

Looking for crafts and activities to complement these growth mindset books? Check out these growth mindset lessons!

Mindfulness

Mindfulness books teach young children how to stay present and manage their emotions in a healthy way. Incorporating mindfulness into the school day can improve student well-being and help create a calm learning environment. Here are some social emotional learning books for teachers to teach about mindfulness:

My Magic Breath is a great book for helping students visualize calm breathing and using it in difficult situations.

Mindful Movements contains ten easy exercises that are great for brain breaks and for practicing moving mindfully with your body. This is perfect to use during transitions between lessons or as a movement break during the school day.

What Does It Mean To Be Present? provides a great introduction to the concept of being present in each moment – a key foundation of mindfulness that can be hard to explain.

I Am Peace examines what it means to go through life with mindfulness, being present in each moment.

Meditate With Me is a sweet book walks through the steps to get your body and mind ready for meditation. This social emotional learning book is a great introduction to meditation for younger children.

Looking for crafts and activities to complement these mindfulness books? Check out these mindfulness lessons!

Social Skills

Building strong relationships and developing social skills is a key part of social emotional learning. Books that highlight emotional recognition, cooperation, self-regulation, and relationship skills are perfect for SEL curriculum in elementary schools. Some favorite books for teaching social skills include:

Big Feelings acknowledges the hard feelings that can come up during our day, and offers some ways to express them and move on.

When I Feel Worried teaches children there are ways to calm and soothe themselves when big feelings come up.

I Can Say No emphasizes the choice children have to say “no” – in situations of safety, but also in situations with friends.

That’s Wrong! talks about how to respectfully disagree with our peers and friends. It breaks it down into four clear steps that are easy for children to understand and follow.

How To Apologize is full of examples of when and how to apologize, emphasizing the importance of an apology that comes from your heart.

Looking for crafts and activities to complement these social skills books? Check out these social skills lessons!

Friendship

Teaching young learners about friendship helps foster positive relationships and a sense of belonging. Picture books about friendship can help children understand how to navigate challenges and maintain strong relationships. Some great social emotional learning books for teachers to read about friendship include:

How To Have Friends contains lots of helpful, actionable strategies for kids on how to be a good friend.

Let’s Play! This book shares the story of a new girl who is nervous about making friends. Luckily, her classmates know just how to make her feel welcome! This book is great to read to help your students with making new friends.

The Invisible Boy is a classic story about a new boy at school. It shows the power we have to make people feel seen and included.

My New Friend Is So Fun! is a helpful book to talk about friendship conflicts that can arise. Piggie and Gerald learn to navigate some friendship bumps when Piggie finds a new friend to play with.

In Teach Your Dragon To Make Friends, Dragon learns different ways to be a good friend.

Looking for crafts and activities to complement these friendship books? Check out these friendship lessons!

Self-Love

Helping students develop self-love and confidence is crucial for their emotional intelligence. Social emotional learning books for teachers that promote self-acceptance and self-worth are a great resource that every elementary classroom should have. Some must-read social emotional learning books for teachers in this category include:https://amzn.to/3MYpQDhhttps://amzn.to/3MYpQDh

I Am Me is a joyful book reminding us that we don’t have to change ourselves to fit in. Instead, we can celebrate what makes us special and unique.

I Am, I Can provides examples daily affirmations for students, along with some activities you can do to go with them.

How Full Is Your Bucket? Students have probably heard about filling each other’s buckets to spread kindness. This book reminds them that we have to fill our own buckets too!

Sometimes I Need is a great book for helping students understand how to take care of their feelings. This wonderful book provides lots of strategies students can use for identifying what they need when they’re having a hard time.

I Am Enough is a powerful book about accepting ourselves and others with loving kindness.

Looking for crafts and activities to complement these self love books? Check out these self love lessons!

When to Read Social Emotional Learning Books

If you're ready to try out these social emotional learning books for teachers, there are many opportunities throughout the school day to incorporate SEL books into your routine. Here are a few best practices for using children’s books to support social emotional learning:

• Morning Meeting – Start the day with a read-aloud that sets a positive tone.
• Book Clubs – Use SEL books for small group discussions that encourage deep reflection.
• Restorative Practices – Read books that reinforce conflict resolution strategies and problem solving skills.
• Transitions and Breaks – A short read-aloud can be a great way to refocus and calm students.
• Professional Development – Teachers can explore SEL books, such as Social-Emotional Learning Playbook by Michelle Trujillo, to gain practical strategies for fostering emotional intelligence in young children.

Social Emotional Learning Books For the Classroom

Integrating social-emotional learning books into the classroom is a simple yet powerful way to help elementary students develop the essential skills they need to thrive. Whether focusing on relationship skills, mindfulness, or social awareness, picture books offer young learners a fun way to explore emotions and practice problem solving. By using SEL books as part of your curriculum, you can create a supportive school community that fosters strong relationships and lifelong social-emotional growth!

Want to teach social emotional learning to your students, but not sure where to start? Check out these done-for-you lessons, complete with age appropriate and research based crafts and activities!

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The post 35 Must-Have Social Emotional Learning Books For Teachers And Students appeared first on Love Grows Learning.

Read on for the very best morning meeting song ideas!

Want songs that are ready to go? This social emotional learning song bundle includes videos lyric prompts and movements for a variety of SEL topics. And you can embed these right into your slides!

The Importance of Morning Meeting

If you've been toying with the idea of trying out a morning meeting time in your classroom, this is your sign to start now! Morning meeting is the perfect way to bring students together at the beginning of the day. It is an incredible tool in setting a positive tone for the day. And as you implement them consistently over time, your morning meetings will…

• Help create a sense of belonging
• Establish routines
• Build positive relationships
• Start the day off with positivity and focus
• Increase classroom community
• Build important social skills

Including morning meeting songs is a MUST when planning your morning meeting time. Young children thrive when they know what to expect, and a structured morning meeting with a fun song is a great way to start the school day with joy and enthusiasm. Your students will look forward to this time, and you can use these songs to do lots of great skill-building with your class!

And the good news is, you don't have to do any work – there are so many amazing morning meeting songs already out there!

Morning Meeting Songs For Social Emotional Learning

Morning meeting isn’t just about getting the day started—it’s also the perfect time for classroom community building and working on social-emotional learning skills. Singing together helps build confidence, encourages self-expression, and fosters connections.

Songs with messages about kindness, emotions, and gratitude can reinforce positive behaviors while making learning feel like play. A morning meeting song can also help children learn to regulate their emotions and express their feelings in a healthy way.

13 Morning Meeting Song Ideas

1. Positive Affirmation Song

A great way to start the morning meeting is with a song that promotes self-confidence. A catchy song filled with positive statements like “I am smart, I am kind, I am brave” helps children start the day on a positive note. This positive affirmations song has an ABC theme that your students will love!

2. Growth Mindset Song

Encouraging a growth mindset through song is a fun way to remind students that mistakes help them learn. Try a morning meeting song like this one, which emphasizes perseverance and the magical word “yet!”

3. Calendar Song

A fun way to learn the days of the week and months of the year is through a calendar song. This morning meeting favorite can also include a weather song to discuss what the day looks like outside. Here is a free download for a calendar song about the months.

4. Friendship Song

Teaching kindness and friendship through music is always a hit. This song about being a good friend and including everyone is a great way to reinforce positive social skills.

5. Birthday Song

A special day deserves a special song! Make birthdays in the classroom extra fun with a unique birthday morning meeting song that includes the child’s name.

6. Mindfulness Song

A mindfulness song helps children slow down, take deep breaths, and focus. This morning meeting song is a great way to encourage calm and self-awareness at the beginning of the day.

7. Listening Song

Teaching listening skills through music is a fun way to get students to pay attention. A song that includes lyrics like “Eyes are watching, ears are listening” is perfect for reminding young learners to focus.

8. Diversity Song

Teaching about diversity through song is a great opportunity to celebrate differences and similarities. This song builds classroom community by emphasizing that our differences make us stronger.

9. Welcome Song

A welcome song is an example of morning meeting songs to make every student feel included. Singing a morning meeting song that includes children’s names makes everyone feel special.

10. Being Kind Song

A song about kindness encourages children to treat others with respect. A great way to reinforce class rules, a catchy tune about kindness helps students remember to be considerate. I love this free download kindness song!

11. Classroom Community Song

Morning meeting songs that focus on classroom community can be a great way to start the day. This song focuses on strength in unity.

12. Feelings Song

A feelings song helps students express emotions in a healthy way. Singing about different emotions is a fun way to encourage self-awareness and social-emotional growth. This morning meeting song encourages students to identify how they're feeling and to recognize that feelings change throughout the day.

13. Gratitude Song

A morning meeting song about gratitude encourages students to reflect on great things in their lives. Ending the morning message with a gratitude song helps set a positive tone for the day. This is a catchy gratitude song that could be fun to use during November, or any time you're focusing on gratitude in your classroom!

How to Incorporate Morning Meeting Songs

Adding songs to morning meeting doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are a few easy ways to incorporate music:

• Use the song to open up your morning meeting. Music and movement can be a great way to get all your learners to focus and be ready to listen.
• Repeat the song throughout the day. You can do your songs again during transitions or at the end of the day. This helps students learn them more quickly and feel connected with them as a familiar routine.
• You can use a tool like Powerpoint or Google Slides to create a presentation to guide students through your morning meeting. Song videos can be embedded directly into the slides so all you have to do is press play!
• Involve students. You can let students help choose the song for the day, or even have a couple of leaders each day to stand in front of the class and lead the singing.

Tips and Tricks for Morning Meeting Songs

• Use movement – Encourage students to clap hands, snap fingers, or dance along to a fun song.
• Personalize lyrics – Insert children’s names into welcome songs to make them feel special.
• Make it routine – Start every morning meeting with a familiar catchy song.
• Introduce a new song – Keep things fresh by adding a new song every few weeks.
• Use visuals – Display lyrics on a screen or poster so students can follow along.
• Keep it engaging – A catchy tune and enthusiastic participation make a morning meeting song more fun.
• Encourage participation – Let students take turns leading their favorite songs.
• Use props – Hand out small instruments like tambourines or rhythm sticks to keep children engaged.
• Adapt to different learning styles – Some children love to move, while others prefer to listen. Mix in songs with movement and calmer songs for balance.
• Celebrate special days – Add a special day song to celebrate birthdays, holidays, or classroom achievements.
• Use a morning message – Pair songs with a simple morning message with your morning meeting songs to introduce the day’s theme.
• Rotate themes – Keep things fresh by switching between welcome songs, weather songs, and gratitude songs.

Get Started With Morning Meeting Songs

Morning meeting is the perfect way to build community, teach social-emotional skills, and start the school day on a high note. Adding a morning meeting song is a great way to make this time even more engaging for young children. Whether it's a welcome song, a calendar song about the months of the year, or a mindfulness song, music is a fun way to create a warm and inviting classroom environment. With so many great morning meeting songs to choose from, there’s no shortage of ways to make the beginning of the day fun and meaningful!

Want songs that are ready to go? This social emotional learning song bundle includes videos lyric prompts and movements for a variety of SEL topics. And you can embed these right into your slides!

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The post The Best Morning Meeting Songs To Start Your Day appeared first on Love Grows Learning.

Read on for how to choose the best social emotional curriculum for elementary school!

Looking for an easy to use SEL curriculum? These lessons and activities are for you:

Click to jump to…

• The Importance Of Social Emotional Learning
• Picking The Right Social Emotional Curriculum For Elementary School
• Necessary Units to Include in Your SEL Curriculum
• Incorporating SEL Into Your Day
• Social Emotional Learning Curriculum For Elementary

The Importance of Social Emotional Learning

Social-emotional learning is the heart of education. It equips elementary students with essential life skills like responsible decision-making, interpersonal skills, and self-awareness. SEL fosters supportive relationships, encourages positive behaviors, and promotes educational equity by addressing the whole child.

SEL isn’t just an add-on; it’s an integral part of education that supports academic performance, emotional development, and student success. From early childhood to high school students, SEL programs make a lasting positive impact, creating a foundation for life success. By helping students understand their emotions, develop healthy identities, and set collective goals, SEL empowers them to navigate challenges with confidence and resilience.

In addition to improving emotional well-being, SEL lays the groundwork for academic achievement. When students feel supported and secure, they’re better able to focus on learning. This approach also cultivates a sense of belonging, which is crucial for nurturing a positive school culture and climate.

What Studies Have Shown About Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in Elementary School

Research proves that SEL is a game-changer. Evidence-based programs, like those outlined in the CASEL framework, improve academic achievement, emotional competencies, and social skills. Studies show that SEL skills directly boost academic success by creating safe spaces and supportive environments where students feel valued.

One comprehensive study revealed that students who participated in research-based SEL programs showed an 11% improvement in academic performance compared to their peers. Additionally, SEL instruction leads to long-term benefits, such as reduced rates of mental health challenges, improved interpersonal skills, and stronger emotional resilience.

School districts that implement a social emotional curriculum for elementary school see a significant uptick in positive behaviors and academic performance. These programs encourage students to take ownership of their actions, make responsible decisions, and build meaningful relationships. For elementary students, the early development of these skills sets the stage for lifelong success.

Picking the Right Social Emotional Curriculum for Elementary School

Finding the right SEL curriculum for your classroom is like choosing a favorite dessert—it depends on what works best for your students! Look for a social emotional curriculum for elementary school with clear goals, research-based activities, and age-appropriate lessons. It's also helpful to have a program that meets the needs of your classroom schedule – you don't want something that you don't ever use because you can't find the time.

When evaluating SEL programs, consider the following criteria:

• Alignment with the CASEL framework: It's helpful to keep in mind the five key SEL competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
• Grade-Level Appropriateness: The content should be engaging and developmentally suitable for the students in the grade you teach.
• Inclusivity: A good curriculum celebrates diversity and promotes educational equity by addressing the unique needs of all learners.
• Flexibility: Look for programs that can be seamlessly integrated into your daily routine. Activities you can pick and choose from based on how much time you have are better than strict, rigid lesson structures.
• Evidence-Based Results: You want to find programs that are built on research and that other teachers have found will yield positive outcomes in emotional development, social skills, and academic performance.

Choosing the right curriculum may take some time, but the payoff is immense. With the right tools, you’ll empower your students to build emotional resilience, form supportive relationships, and thrive both inside and outside the classroom.

Necessary Units to Include in Your SEL Curriculum

Having units to move through during the school year is a helpful way to organize your social emotional curriculum for elementary school. These units are a must when thinking about a social emotional curriculum for elementary school:

• Friendship: Teach students how to form and maintain positive relationships. Activities like role-playing and collaborative games can help build these critical relationship skills.

• Mindfulness: Help students stay present and manage stress. Simple mindfulness exercises like deep breathing or body scans can work wonders for focus and emotional regulation.

• Growth Mindset: Encourage perseverance and resilience in the face of challenges. Lessons on embracing mistakes as learning opportunities help students build confidence and grit.

• Gratitude: Foster a sense of appreciation and positive behaviors. Gratitude journals and thank-you notes can help students reflect on the good in their lives.

• Self-Love: Build healthy identities and boost confidence. Encourage students to celebrate their unique strengths and talents.

• Celebrating Diversity: Promote inclusivity and social awareness. Lessons on cultural traditions, stories about diverse heroes, and activities that highlight different perspectives can broaden students' horizons.

• Social Skills: Strengthen communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills. Teaching students to express themselves clearly and listen actively can enhance classroom harmony and cooperation.

Each of these units helps students develop the emotional competencies they need to navigate the complexities of life and relationships.

Incorporating SEL Into Your Day

Integrating SEL doesn’t have to disrupt your daily routine. Simple practices, like morning check-ins, mindfulness exercises, or guided discussions, weave SEL seamlessly into your schedule. Create a safe space where students feel heard, supported, and encouraged to grow emotionally and academically.

One effective approach is to tie SEL instruction into existing subjects. For example:

• Incorporate discussions about emotions and character development into literature lessons.
• Use math problems to teach persistence and problem-solving.
• Highlight teamwork and collective goals during group science projects.

Building SEL into your daily routine not only enhances emotional support but also reinforces the importance of social-emotional learning as an integral part of education.

Social Emotional Learning Activities to Include

Here are some specific activities to look for in the social emotional curriculum for elementary school that you pick:

• Journals: Giving students a daily or weekly journal check in can be great SEL activity to include.

• Classroom Visuals: Classroom bulletin boards can make a wonderful display and visual tool to keep social emotional learning strategies top of mind for students.

• Songs: Incorporate short songs and movements during transitions or morning meeting – these are a fun way to help students reset and refocus.

• Crafts: Crafts are a wonderful social emotional learning activity that is highly engaging for students and can be done as independent work.

• Group Activities: Use group activities like anchor charts to build collaboration and collective problem-solving.

These activities create engaging opportunities for students to practice and apply SEL strategies in a supportive environment.

Social Emotional Learning Tips for Teachers

1. Start Small: Incorporate SEL into one part of your routine, like morning meetings or closing circle time.
2. Model Positive Behaviors: Show empathy, gratitude, and responsible decision-making in your interactions. Students learn by example!
3. Make It Fun: Games, stories, and creative activities engage elementary students and make learning enjoyable.
4. Lean on Evidence-Based Programs: Use trusted tools like the CASEL guide to find best practices and reliable programs.
5. Be Consistent: Reinforce SEL skills throughout the school year to make them stick.
6. Focus on Educational Equity: Adapt your approach to meet the diverse needs of your classroom. Every child’s voice matters.
7. Collaborate: Work with fellow teachers, school counselors, and parents to create a consistent SEL experience for students.

Social Emotional Learning Curriculum For Elementary

Choosing the right social emotional curriculum for elementary school students can feel overwhelming, but it’s worth it. By focusing on SEL skills, teachers can foster emotional development, academic success, and supportive relationships that leave a lasting impression on young people.

With the right tools and strategies, you can create a positive impact that extends far beyond the classroom. SEL isn’t just about teaching soft skills; it’s about preparing students for life. And that, dear teachers, is the best gift you can give.

Ready to light the SEL fire in your classroom? Let’s make this school year the best one yet!

If you're ready to dive into SEL right now, this social emotional curriculum for elementary school ticks all the boxes. It's research-based, highly engaging, and easy to implement so you can do this important SEL work without adding more prep and planning to your plate.

Which social emotional learning activities are you going to try out? Let me know in the comments!
xoxo
Laura

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The post The Best Social Emotional Curriculum for Elementary School appeared first on Love Grows Learning.

Here, we’ll explore what makes Kindness Week so impactful and offer ideas on how to make it a memorable experience for your students. Whether it’s celebrating World Kindness Day or incorporating fun kindness activities, you’ll find plenty of inspiration to get started. From group activities to independent crafts to anchor charts to book recommendations to a kindness challenge – these week of kindness ideas for students are the best you'll find!

Read on for the very best kindness week ideas for students in elementary!

Looking for kindness week plans and activities that are ready to go? This Kindness Week bundle is for you:

Click to jump to…

• What Is Kindness Week?
• Planning Your Kindness Week Activities
• 15 Kindness Week Ideas For Students
• Kindness Week Lesson Plans

What Is Kindness Week?

Kindness week is a week or several days devoted to promoting kind acts in your classroom. Some teachers take a bit of time every day, or their morning meeting time, and focus on different ways of being kind. This can be a great opportunity to encourage kind acts and build positivity in your school community.

During this time, it's helpful to explicitly teach students tools and strategies to be kind. Elementary students are still learning important ideas like good deeds, empathy, and spreading kind acts within their school community. Kindness a great way for teachers to promote values that help shape students into compassionate and considerate individuals. For elementary students, it’s not just about doing good deeds but also about learning how to build connections and make the world a better place, one small act at a time.

Incorporating Kindness Week into your lesson plans is the perfect opportunity to…

• Create a culture of kindness that permeates the school day and beyond.
• Develop interpersonal skills like empathy, cooperation, and active listening through kind gestures.
• Emphasize social-emotional learning skills and social skills like empathy and friendship
• Give students practical strategies to express kindness, from leaving positive messages for a family member to participating in a kindness challenge.
• Bring kind acts into your school community.

Planning Your Kindness Week Activities

I've found that a great way to organize your Kindness Week activities into your school day lesson plans is to have a theme for each day. I like to read a kindness book, do a group kindness activity, and then make a kindness craft for each day that all tie into the theme.

Here are the daily themes that I use in my Kindness Week lesson plans:

• Day 1: Being A Kind Friend
• Day 2: Using Kind Words
• Day 3: Kind Actions
• Day 4: Being a Bucket Filler
• Day 5: Celebrating Kindness

Next I'll share the Kindness Week ideas for students that I use for each day – these are tried and true activities that will get students to use kind acts in the classroom!

15 Kindness Ideas For Students

Day 1: Being A Good Friend

This anchor chart is a wonderful visual to help students understand actions that make them a good friend. Invite students to brainstorm how to be a good friend, and how not to be a good friend. Often times, including these negative traits can be helpful for students, who need things laid out explicitly.

(You can get the template for this activity in my TPT store right here.)

This is one of my favorite children's books for teaching students the importance of kind acts and inclusiveness. Each Kindness is a poignant story of a new student who isn't welcomed into the classroom. The main character in the story must then examine her own actions and reflect on how she didn't make a kind choice.

This next Kindness Week idea for students is a kind friend flipbook. This is a great way to help students remember ways to be a kind friend. It offers them specific strategies for being kind, which are concrete ways they can practice kindness in their school community.

(You can get the template for this activity in my TPT store right here.)

Day 2: Using Kind Words

Remembering to use kind words can be tricky for our students! Use this class anchor chart to help students brainstorm kind things they can say to their classmates. It's so helpful for students to have examples of phrases they can use to be kind – you'll definitely be hearing those words around your classroom in no time!

(You can get the template for this anchor chart in my TPT store right here.)

Writing kindness notes with positive messages is one of my favorite Kindness Week ideas for students. This kindness craft activity invites students to write kindness notes to their peers using these kindness note templates. There are lots of ways you can organize this:

You can have students write to whoever they want to in the class, or assign them a student to make a kind note for. You can make them anonymous, or let students sign who they're from. You can do this once, or make the notes available at a certain time of day for students to write again and again. (One recommendation: It's best if they turn them into you, and you deliver them – this way you can make sure everyone is receiving at least one, and you can preview them if you are worried students might abuse this work and include a not nice message.)

(You can get the template for this activity in my TPT store right here.)

The children's book The Smallest Girl In The Smallest Grade provides a good illustration of how powerful kind words can be. In this story, a girl stands up for other students aren't being treated kindly. She uses her kind words to help them – this is a great story for empowering students use their words to help their school community.

Day 3: Kind Actions

A kindness chain is one of the most fun Kindness Week ideas for students, and it gets the whole class involved! Observe your students and mentally note anytime you see a random act of kindness. Choose a time of day to recognize students and share what you saw. For each act of kindness you saw, add a paper link to your kindness chain. Your students will love watching your kindness chain grow! (You can also have students share any kind acts they witnessed!)

(You can get the template for this activity in my TPT store right here.)

This Sprinkle Kindness Like Confetti anchor chart is the perfect way to help your students brainstorm kind actions that they can do at school. Invite your students to share their ideas and fill it up with kind things they can do for their classmates and teachers.

(You can get the template for this anchor chart in my TPT store right here.)

I love the children's book When We Are Kind for illustrating random acts of kindness and their effects. This book shows simple acts of kindness that we can carry out in our classroom and home communities.

Day 4: Being A Bucket Filler

If you've never read Have You Filled A Bucket Today? then this is your sign to do it now! The bucket filler books are one of my favorite kindness week ideas for students – they have such a wonderful metaphor for kind deeds and unkind deeds and how they affect one another. It's a great illustration that students can really relate to and understand when it comes to talking about kindness.

This Bucket Filler anchor chart is another kindness week ideas for students that encourages students to think of ways they can fill people's buckets throughout the day.

(You can get the template for this anchor chart in my TPT store right here.)

Then students can make their own Bucket Filler craft – filled with the ways they want to spread kindness in their school community!

(You can get the template for this craft in my TPT store right here.)

Day 5: Celebrating Kindness

I absolutely LOVE catching students being kind, so this is something I actually do all year long, but it's also perfect for Kindness Week ideas for students. This anchor chart is filled with positive traits of kindness. Throughout the day, make a mental note when you notice a student acting out one of these positive traits. Then pick a time of day to share what you noticed, and invite the students to place a sticker under the word that they showcased. Students will love being recognized for their kind acts!

(You can get the template for this anchor chart in my TPT store right here.)

Turn Kindness Week into a party with these adorable kindness crowns! These crowns are one of the best Kindness Week ideas for students to celebrate all the kindness your class has spread throughout the school this week.

(You can get the template for this craft in my TPT store right here.)

This book, Tomorrow I'll Be Kind, explores different positive traits and how we can live them. It's a perfect companion book to the anchor chart celebrating the kind traits you see your students showing in the classroom.

Kindness Challenge

One of the best Kindness Week ideas for students is a kindness challenge! This increases the fun to a whole new level and really gets students excited about spreading kindness.

(You can get the template FREE right here.)

This kindness bingo challenge provides different acts of kindness that students can do in their classroom community. Challenge your class to see how many bingos they can get!

(You can get the template for this bulletin board in my TPT store right here.)

This is another kindness challenge that becomes a kindness bulletin board for your classroom. Each day, students choose a random act of kindness from a paper heart. Once they've completed their random act of kindness, they put it up on the bulletin board. At the end of the week, your bulletin board will be full of different acts of kindness!

Tips For Getting Students Involved

Involving students in planning and executing Kindness Week activities is the best way to ensure engagement. Here’s how:

Invite Students to Lead

Give students leadership roles by assigning them to plan specific activities or projects. For example:

• A group could organize a “Kindness Bingo Challenge” with tasks like helping a peer, sharing a toy, or writing a letter to a family member.
• Another could design a “Day of Kindness” schedule to implement small kindness projects throughout the school day.

Use Small Groups

Divide the class into small groups to work on different kindness projects, such as creating thank-you cards for school staff or collecting donations for an animal shelter. This approach helps students develop teamwork and encourages collaboration.

Incorporate SEL Lessons

Design an SEL-themed lesson plan that focuses on empathy and the “ripple effect” of kindness. Discuss how one random act of kindness can inspire others and create a chain reaction of positivity. Role-playing scenarios where students practice responding to various situations with kindness can be a better way to teach these concepts.

More Tips for Teachers

1. Plan Ahead: Use detailed lesson plans to organize activities effectively.
2. Start Small: Even a little bit of kindness can have a big impact.
3. Celebrate Efforts: Acknowledge students’ contributions with rewards or shout-outs during the week.
4. Make It Relatable: Share stories or examples from your own life to connect with students on a personal level.

The Broader Impact of Kindness Week

Kindness Week is more than just a series of activities; it’s an opportunity to instill values that shape students’ character. By focusing on kindness, you’re helping to create a classroom community where everyone feels valued and supported. The lessons learned during this week extend beyond the school year and into the students’ lives as they grow into empathetic, responsible individuals.

So, whether you’re organizing a week of kindness or simply integrating more kindness week activities into your teaching, remember that your efforts make a difference. You’re not just teaching—you’re shaping the future, one act of kindness at a time.

More Kindness Inspiration

Need more kindness activities ideas? These blog posts would be perfect for you to check out!

Crafts About Kindness You Need To Try In Your Classroom

11 Fantastic Week of Kindness Ideas To Try In Your Classroom

15 Friendship Picture Books Your Students Will Love

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The post How To Plan Kindness Week Ideas For Students In Elementary appeared first on Love Grows Learning.