The start of the new school year is around the corner. While I’m no longer a classroom teacher, I am still working at my same school site as a Project Specialist. I want to take a moment and apologize for the long hiatus. I’m looking forward to sharing more nuggets of goodness this year.

For those of you who are struggling with what to do during your first week of school, here are some ideas I began with at the start of this year. Instead of a classroom of students, I led these activities with our staff.

1. Share a high and a low from this summer. The more we know, the more we understand one another and can build empathy.

2. Write down on a piece of paper something “Your mama always said.” Share the meaning and significance of this life lesson and compile them for all to see. A school where teachers and students practice good manners is definitely a place you’d want to be.

3. Play strengths pictionary. Have students draw a self-portrait of their face and pass their photo around in their groups. Each student is required to add a strength of that student. We all need more positive reinforcements and who doesn’t need a good laugh?

4. Have students share their favorite moment as a student. What did their teacher do to make them feel so special? We could all use more examples and ideas on how we can connect to our students on a daily basis.

Just remember…

Change your thoughts and change the world