Birthday Buckets

How do you celebrate birthdays in the classroom? Over the years, I've tried different things. The thing that didn't work well was big celebrations with sticky cupcakes and messy frosting. Sure, the kids loved it, but it was crazy. Awhile back, I blogged about birthday books in the classroom. About a week before their birthday, send home a blank book. The child works with their parents to create a simple 'scrapbook' with photos, drawings, stickers, etc.

Target has blank books in the Dollar Spot that would work great for birthday books. You could also just staple some construction paper together. 😉

Another idea is to celebrate students' birthdays with a BIRTHDAY BUCKET! On a student's birthday, put the birthday bucket on their desk when he/she comes into the classroom. The student gets to use the special items in the bucket all day, and then gives the bucket back at the end of the day. The bucket should be filled with mostly reusable items that stay in the bucket. For example. smelly markers, Flair pens, a laser light, magnifying glass, pointer, finger puppets, a fidget toy, magnetic wand, a sand timer, sunglasses, etc. The student will feel like a VIP getting to use these fun things throughout the day. You can also add in some fun things like stickers, stamps, post-it notes, highlighter tape, and bookmarks. These items should last awhile, and they are inexpensive to refill. A few items for the birthday child to KEEP would be a nice touch (i.e., lollipop, Pixy Stix, homework pass, new pencil, reward bracelet).

Keep a bucket of goodies handy so you can refresh the birthday bucket as needed. It's unlikely that two students share the same birthday, but you may want to prepare two buckets just incase. The birthday bucket is more or less the same all year, but you can switch things out to keep it exciting for kiddos who celebrate their birthdays late in the year. What might you add to your birthday bucket? What are other ideas do you have for celebrating birthdays in the classroom?

Name Posters- First Day of School Art

For years, I've done Rainbow Names with students on the first day of school. It's a simple art activity that allows me to discuss my expectations for using school supplies. It also keeps students busy for a chunk of time. The first week of school is crazy, and there are lots of random things that need to be attended to. Having a few projects for students to work on while the teacher gets situated is key. I was surfing Pinterest yesterday, and I stumbled upon these adorable name posters from Middle School Frolics (formerly 4th Grade Frolics). 

Similar to the Rainbow Names idea, students get a chance to use their brand new school supplies and the teacher can review supply expectations with students. These name posters are so easy to prep, and you can have a class set printed out in no time! I created a step-by-step tutorial for anyone who wants to make a set for their own classroom. The font that Tara from Middle School Frolics suggested in her original post was GROBOLD, and I love it! 

Look how pretty!! Students get a chance to create on the first day of school, and you can use them to label cubbies, decorate your classroom door, or add to a bulletin board. Here's how to make them...

Primary Teachers- This font uses the "fancy a," so if you want a traditional "a," you may want to try a different chunky font, such as KG What the Teacher Wants. Thanks, Tara, for sharing this darling idea! If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment or e-mail me at TheHappyTeacherTPT@gmail.com

If you get a chance, check out my Back to School trifold brochure. Ditch those packets and give parents all the information they need on ONE page.. 😍

12 Books to Build Classroom Community

Creating a warm classroom environment where students show empathy, kindness, respect, and acceptance for one another can be an overwhelming task. Teachers get a new group of 20-30 kids every fall; it's a mixture of personalities and temperaments, all sharing a new classroom. My best advice for building classroom community is to share picture books with messages of kindness, friendship, and inclusion. Read the books. Talk about the books. Create anchor charts with kids. Feature these social-emotional books in your classroom library and revisit them throughout the year. Today I'm sharing 12 must-have picture books for building classroom community. If your school library doesn't have these books, I'm linking to Amazon (affiliate links included) so you can ask your librarian or admin to add them to the school wish list!

1. Alan's Big, Scary Teeth by Jarvis

You and your kids will love this hilarious alligator story that makes you consider the way you make other people feel. The tale has powerful messages about identity, being yourself, and not worrying about what others think. 

2. The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld

Published in 2018, this new book will soon be a cult classic. The charming illustrations and straight-to-the-point text teach lessons in sympathy and empathy. Readers will understand what it means to be there for a friend and why taking the time to listen is key.

3. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

This classic friendship tale from Silverstein gets better with age. It was one of my favorites as a child, but now that I'm a grown-up, I love it even more. The Giving Tree inspires kindness, generosity, unconditional love, and unselfishness.

4. Peanut Butter & Cupcake by Terry Border

I've been singing praise for this witty friendship book for years! After reading this post, be sure to check out my freebies and anchor chart ideas for this darling book. The photographic illustrations and sing-song words are perfect for talking to kids about the characteristics of good friends and how to make others feel welcome. 

5. Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller

Hands down, this is a must-have picture book for every classroom and school! The illustrations are dynamite, and the message of kindness is powerful and clear. I love this book so much that I wrote an entire blog post on it.

6. Elmer by David McKee

Elmer is a funny tale about celebrating differences as extraordinary rather than weird or strange. I love McKee's celebration of individuality and uniqueness. Your students will love this classic book about Elmer the Elephant.

7. The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates & Juniper Bates

I love that this book was written by a mother-daughter team! The principle of the big umbrella is that there is room for everyone. It's a simple story that applies to the classroom or world in general. It's a beautiful picture book for inspiring inclusion, kindness, and a welcoming spirit.

8. Penguin and Pinecone by Salina Yoon

I discovered Salina Yoon's irresistible books a few years ago when Kohl's was featuring them in their Kohl's Cares promotion. Penguin and Pinecone is a sweet story of friendship, kindness, and love.

9. What Should Danny Do? by Ganit & Adir Levy

This interactive book is unlike any other book I've ever seen, and it is one of my kids' all-time favorites! Students will learn how their choices directly affect others. Danny teaches character, responsibility, sharing, empathy, and patience. You must check out this social-emotional book!

10. Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes

Chrysanthemum has been popular with primary teachers for years because of the lessons about teasing, self-esteem, and acceptance. 

11. Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry

Stick and Stone is a warm tale of the power of friendship. Kids of all ages will be enthralled with the illustrations and message about sticking up for your friends.

12. The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig

I love this book because it demonstrates how a small act of kindness can have a transformative impact. This book is so relatable for students because it is set in a school environment. 

Thanks for checking out my faves! Which book is your favorite for building community in the classroom?

Hand Signals {Watercolor Classroom Decor}

Hand signals are an effective classroom management tool and an easy way to cut down on blurting out. Hang these posters at the front of your classroom to remind students to SHOW you what they need using nonverbal hand signals. These bright, whimsical posters will fit with any classroom decor theme.

These colorful posters are EDITABLE so you can easily customize the hand signals for your classroom. Check them out in my TpT store.

BE KIND: Promoting Kindness in the Classroom

As educators and parents, we tell kids all the time to “be kind” or “use kind words.” I find myself asking my boys “was that kind?” and reminding them to be kind to one another. But what does that really mean? How can I expect them to truly understand kindness unless I teach them with real-life, concrete examples? I discovered Pat Zietlow Miller’s book, “Be Kind,” a few weeks ago and fell in love the first time I read it.

 Her message is powerful and clear. The illustrations are dynamite, and it’s the perfect read-aloud book for kicking off a lesson on kindness for elementary students. Since I love this book so much, I wanted to create some activities and printables that teachers can use to teach students about kindness.

Have students look through picture books in the classroom and find examples of kindness in the text.

I’ve included discussion topics, writing prompts, kindness scenarios, and a meaningful homework assignment to get parents involved. Homework: Take a picture of someone being kind. Bring the photo to school (or e-mail it to your teacher). After collecting all of the photos, create a kindness bulletin board.

I’ve also included some of my favorite read-alouds to promote kindness in the classroom. The best part is all of these printables are FREE in my TpT store. After reading Be Kind and a few other books on kindness, create kindness anchor charts with students to display in your classroom or hallway.

Want to create a kindness inspired bulletin board or decorate your classroom door with inspirational quotes? Check out these bright posters to encourage kindness all year long.

Print in color or print in black/white and have students color posters to create bulletin board.

So bright and cheerful! This pool noodle rainbow makes me so happy!