Spark Student Motivation: Personalized Stickers

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Now let the countdown to Christmas begin...
(28 days if you're counting!)



This is idea is added to my collection of simple ideas (my favorite ideas). I like to change things up to keep it fresh and new in my class, but not have to be super elaborate or expensive.

 

I got these circle labels on clearance a while back, but you could also use full sheet labels and a circle punch to make the same stickers. Or... the most common label (30 count) rectangular labels would work too-picture on the left and message on the right. Doesn't matter which sticker, as long as you make it your own!

Disclosure: When my husband saw these stickers he just shook his head...he thinks I'm crazy! :)

 

 

 

If you follow my blog you know I like to leave things on my desk or table for a few days before I use them to build excitement. So, of course my students wanted to know how they could "get" one of these "Mrs. Miller" stickers! Score! I didn't even have to sell it! :)

 

 

So excited for this math whiz! She's been trying so hard! Reading comes very easy for her, but math she has to work at. After triple checking her assignments and completing extra practice, she's got it!

 

 

Look at this student! This is her Reading Counts report! She now has 500 points for this school year! That definitely deserves a WHOOP WHOOP! She's incredible and is determined to keep her school lead!

 

I love recognizing students when their hard work pays off! This young man studies his vocabulary words every night and I'm so proud of him! (He goes by his middle name, but writes his first name on his papers-I didn't want you to think I wrote the wrong name. LOL)

There you go! A simple idea that's different from an ordinary sticker that will make your students smile! What do you think? I'd love to hear from you in the comments!

 

I hope you had a wonderful week! Please link up any lessons, ideas, tips, tricks, incentives, ANYTHING you do get your students motivated or excited!

Don't forget to grab my button and link back to this post!

Check out all the wonderful ideas from my friends who link up and don't forget to leave some love by commenting....we LOVE comments!
***Please include the topic in the link up with your blog name.

An InLinkz Link-up

Spark Student Motivation: Kind is the New Cool!

Kind is the New Cool!

 

This blog post is very special and motivational to my students and myself. Our hope is that if we spread more kindness, we will wipe out the meanness in the world! Please help us spread kindness by using some of the materials or ideas in your classroom/school and share, pin, and spread the word for us!

I've told by students they can make a difference and we're acting on it. My job isn't only to teach academics, but to create leaders and doers...and my kids are running with it!

I purchased these shirts for my class to wear while presenting. I wanted to look united and spread our message loud and clear! These shirts have gained much attention at our school! Everyone wants one! (We're working on getting every faculty member and student one for our school!)

We started our spread kindness campaign by presenting to our office staff and other classes. Each student selected or created a quote to share about kindness and what it meant to them.

 

 

 We've invited all the classes at our school to join us on our campaign and challenged them to spread kindness everywhere! Each class received a large poster reading "Don't Let Anyone Ever Dull Your Sparkle" as a reminder to stay strong and don't let others bring you down.

I was so proud of what my students wrote for their quote meanings/examples to present to other classes. They were from the heart and inspirational. All of the random acts of kindness we've done, books we've shared, and teaching I've done about being kind was shining through during these presentations!



With each presentation my students' presenting skills improved and they gained confidence and excitement in our mission! Each time they hear each others' words, they are further engrained. It's important to start in elementary while they're still so impressionable, so it carries with them to the upper grades.

We wanted to go bigger than just our school...so we invited Fox News to come out and help us get the word out about spreading kindness! This was also a great experience for my students.
(They just filmed yesterday and with the heartbreaking news in Paris (please pray for the victims and families) our story wasn't shown, but as soon as it is aired,  I will add the link.



We share all of these goodies with each class in hopes they will use them and be kind with one another.

This is our Random Acts of Kindness Bulletin Board-it's a great visual and reminder for us to complete these kind acts and to recognize each other when someone else completes one.

We give each class a poster and post-its to get started on their "kindness kick". I've received several emails and students coming to tell me how many post-its their class has used! It's so exciting to see we're already making a difference just at our own school!

Positive Tear Offs are also given to each class-these are kind compliments that are just SUPER FUN! Kids love ripping them off and kids love receiving them! A few classes have already run out! :)

These posters are our kindness quotes we selected for our presentations. They are the perfect visual to remind students of  how easy and important it is to be kind!

Pay it Forward! We've "Positive Pranked" over 20 classes now and my kids love this random act of kindness! They get to be sneaky, knock on doors, and RUN! In return, we've been positive pranked too!
This class wrote individual notes and attached candy to them for my class. My class loved it!

This class left a yummy goodie bag of Blow Pops for us! My students are starting to see how kindness pays off! These random acts on us are making them realize they ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE!

Here are some books we've shared in class that promote kindness, uniqueness, and compassion. I know there are dozens more titles for kindness, so please share them in the comments below. (these are just the titles I own and have read with my class). These books will definitely spark discussion and give your students a better understanding of the importance of kindness. (If  you don't have all of these titles, you can usually find the titles read aloud online).

I hope you are able to use some of these ideas to spread kindness in your classroom, school, or community. Please help this movement by sharing this link, we need everyone to help!

Want all of these goodies?

WE WANT YOU TO HAVE THEM! :)
They are free, just be KIND and leave feedback and have others come download too!

Click here. :)
 

I hope you had a wonderful week! Please link up any lessons, ideas, tips, tricks, incentives, ANYTHING you do get your students motivated or excited!

Don't forget to grab my button and link back to this post!

Check out all the wonderful ideas from my friends who link up and don't forget to leave some love by commenting....we LOVE comments!
***Please include the topic in the link up with your blog name.

An InLinkz Link-up

Organizing Work For Absent Students

I'm blogging over at the iTeach Fifth blog today!

 

Come check out my post about organizing work for absent students and grab a FREEBIE!

 

 

 



Spark Student Motivation: Glow in the Dark Dance Party

 

Want your students GLOWING with excitement?

 

 

Looks fun right?

 

All you need is 5 minutes and about $5!

 Materials:

• Black paper to cover windows if your classroom is still bright with the lights off.
• Glow sticks (bracelets, necklaces).
• Fun dance song!

Instructions:

1. Have your windows covered when your students enter the room to pique their curiosity.
2. Bring out the glow sticks, let your students select their favorite color, and crack it.
3. Cue music!
4. Let the fun begin!!

Prep Time:

• 5-10 minutes to set up room.
• 5 minute dance party!

Easy, fun, and memorable for your students!

 

 These glow sticks were from Dollar Tree and they were SUPER bright! You might be able to find some on clearance leftover from Halloween-be on the lookout!

 

 Before I cued the music, I did go over the expectations so it didn't get too wild! You can still be safe and have fun!

 

 

 I like the glow sticks better than the necklaces and bracelets because of their brightness and they can use them as props! (They make great microphones!)

 

 

They get to bring their glow stick souvenir home!
And, I promise...this five minutes will get your students motivated to talk about their school day at home too!

There you have it! A super easy idea that will get your students

GLOWING with excitement!!!

 

I hope you had a wonderful week! Please link up any lessons, ideas, tips, tricks, incentives, ANYTHING you do get your students motivated or excited!

Don't forget to grab my button and link back to this post!

Check out all the wonderful ideas from my friends who link up and don't forget to leave some love by commenting....we LOVE comments!
***Please include the topic in the link up with your blog name.

An InLinkz Link-up