Activities to Start the Year

Segue from the summer into the new school year by having students consider the summer's news, its impact on their communities, and what kind of impact they'd like to have in their communities.

In the wake of the El Paso and Dayton shootings, how can we foster a classroom climate where every student feels supported - and where we can talk about these upsetting issues? Here are some ideas.

The first few days of school are the perfect time to begin taking a restorative approach to discipline in your classroom. Step 1: Be in community with your students.

Register for our webinar to learn the basics of conflict resolution from a social and emotional learning standpoint (free & available on demand).

Register for this webinar to learn concrete SEL strategies to improve classroom climate (available for free and on demand)!  Included in AFT & Share my Lesson's Top Resources of 2017.

Begin by asking students, "What do you need to feel safe, comfortable, and excited to learn?"

The beginning of the school year is the ideal time to establish a caring community in your classroom.

Students think about how to create a kind, caring classroom using an interactive poem and a drawing activity. 

An introductory circle invites participants to consider values that are important to them and the group.  

This activity aims to help your class get the school year off to a good start. Students share their names and a high point of their summer; learn a little about their similarities and differences; and begin considering what kind of community they want to create in their classroom.