21 Day Kindness Challenge

With the school year winding down and students winding up, I needed something quick and easy but still meaningful to help them stay on track and to continue to be kind to others.  So I implemented this 21 day challenge.  The best part?  All you need is a rubber band!  Which I already had in the classroom.  

When I was in college in one of my education classes I was assigned to read the book: A Complaint Free World by Will Bowen.  In the book Bowen talks all about how it takes 21 days to create a new habit.  He uses a wristband to help him form a habit of NOT complaining.  Every time he complains he switches his wristband to a new wrist.  The purpose of the wristband is to make himself more aware of when he complaining.  

I twisted it a little bit to make it more applicable to my student’s needs.  I gave each student a rubber band and challenged them to form the habit of always saying and thinking kind things.  Each time they say or do something unkind they move their rubber band to a different wrist.  It’s been really cool to watch them support each other this week!  

I keep a basket of extra rubber bands on my table….because 5th graders.  

So if you need an easy way to encourage your students try it out!  And if you haven’t read the book, I highly recommend it!  

Reading Through Multiple Lenses

Everyone has heard the saying to "walk in someone else's shoes".  This week, we read through multiple lenses!  This time of year it's always tough to keep students focused.  So why not spice things up a bit with some neon glasses?  

We are studying social issues in reading and many of the characters in the books we are reading do things that we don't necessarily agree with.  The lesson focused on seeing things from their point of view before reacting negatively to them.  The students worked with their reading partner and each student got a different color pair of glasses.  They discussed and answered the two questions: 

1. How would I feel if I were experiencing what the character is experiencing? 

2. What choices might I make in this situation?  

Then they switched glasses.  It was a quick and easy ways to get kids excited, talking, and laughing about books!  

Click the image to download the poster and glasses!