Creating a Classroom Community that promotes kindness


Let's flash back to January of 2017, shall we? I was 7ish months pregnant with a high risk pregnancy that had left me drained emotionally. Then, I got the flu. The flu. That drained me physically. If you've never had the flu, I can only describe it as feeling like your body is shutting down. I remember laying in bed one afternoon, literally contemplating if I should just pee myself because getting up and walking the 10 feet the the bathroom seemed like an impossibly exhausting task. (TMI? That's my specialty.)

Here I was, broken tired. And while I was laying in my bed, believing that this was what death felt like, I got a few emails from parents informing me of events that had happened in my class. I can only describe them as "mean girl" issues. I couldn't deal. 

First, I cried (did I mention super pregnant, and super overwhelmed?) Next, I pulled out my computer and typed out the only thing I could think of, "Kindness: The only thing more contagious than the flu!" That was actually the first draft of this bulletin board, y'all! Probably not what people want outside their walls, so it quickly morphed into what you see here.
Encourage a classroom community built on kindness with this FREE interactive bulletin board!
When I came back from being sick, I reviewed our community expectations with my class. We discussed how we treat others, and how we respond when we see others being treated disrespectfully. We talked about being bold. A word we used all year long. We have discussed being bold as doing the right thing, even when it's hard, even when we know it won't be popular. We are a class that does the right thing, and by doing the right thing, we will make our classroom, our school, and our community better.

So I challenged my kids to be bold. Then I challenged them to look for others showing the character values that we spent so much time practicing all year. And not just to look for them, but to notice them. And when they noticed them, to write them down on these notes, and pin them to the bulletin board. On these notes, they got to highlight who they saw showing kindness, but they did not sign it. This was not meant to be a popularity contest. It was not meant to be friends lifting each other up. I wanted genuine, anonymous responses.
Encourage a classroom community built on kindness with this FREE interactive bulletin board!
My heart leapt for joy, when within the first few days, our board was already covered in the sweetest notes. My kids were asking if they could spend their recess writing notes of kindness that they witnessed. Kids from other classes started asking if they could write down things that they saw. It was beautiful. My kids were even shouting out teachers, cafeteria workers, and the custodian probably had more notes than anyone. I tried to keep tabs to make sure everyone was being noticed, but our board covered up so quickly that notes were getting pinned on top of each other.

Dummy me, I left for maternity leave without taking a picture of it all beautifully filled, but it's amazing what kids can notice when we provide them with the opportunity!

Want to do this activity in your class? It's a FREEBIE! :)
YOU CAN FIND IT HERE: 
Encourage a classroom community built on kindness with this FREE interactive bulletin board!
OR PIN IT FOR LATER:
Encourage a classroom community built on kindness with this FREE interactive bulletin board!

8 comments

  1. Love this! Do you have templates for notes?

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  2. I would LOVE to use this in my classroom! Do you have a document for the notes that you would be willing to share?
    Thanks!

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  3. Thank you for this free amazing resource!!

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  4. do you have a template that I could use

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  5. Do you have a template for these awesome notes I could use or do you have a Teachers Pay Teachers shop that we could purchase these templates from? Please let us know. Your bulletin board is my favorite and my class is having a hard time right now. Thank you.

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  6. I found the template. She's on Teachers Pay Teachers - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREEBIE-Kindness-is-Contagious-Bulletin-Board-2973309?st=239ef85d8130c446bd0d879e4ad4231f

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  7. Teacher should be need to read your post. They can get the best way for making the community with the students in classroom. It will be best for them. If you want to shift your house hold bags. you can get our Residential Movers in Atlanta GA. My professionals reached your luggage on time with safely.

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  8. Creating a Classroom Community That Promotes Kindness" is an invaluable resource for educators seeking to cultivate a positive and inclusive learning environment. The author provides a comprehensive and practical guide, offering a wealth of actionable strategies and activities to foster empathy, respect, and compassion among students. What sets this book apart is its emphasis on the power of kindness in not only improving the classroom dynamic but also positively impacting students' overall well-being and academic success. The author's approach is rooted in research-backed techniques and real-world examples, making it accessible and relevant for teachers of all grade levels. By prioritizing kindness, educators have the potential to create a classroom community that not only nurtures academic growth but also cultivates a sense of belonging and emotional well-being for every student. This book is an invaluable tool for any educator committed to shaping a positive and nurturing learning environment.
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