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PZ's Thinking Routines Toolbox | Project Zero

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The Toolbox organizes the Thinking Routines into categories that describe the types of thinking the routines help to facilitate. Some routines appear in more than one category, and some routines have different versions that offer modifications for specific age groups or more specific conceptual challenges.

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NEW POST: Visible Thinking Routines: Visualized The following Visible Thinking Routines are designs I created so I could understand VTRs in a more visual & direct way. The site I use is via Harvard's Project Zero:Visible Thinking Routines PZ. For the last four years, I have utilized Project Zero's Visible Thinking Routines in my practice of DEEP design thinking. I strongly believe the more visible we are as designers, thinkers, learners, and doers, the more visible we will be to our Users. There are "No Closed Doors" in design thinking. If there is a VTR poster that is not available, please ping me@scitechyeduand I will try get it to you as soon as I am able. Thank you

Visible Thinking Routines Visualized by MarySharpCantwell on Scribd

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Visible Thinking Routines - DEEP design thinking

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NEW POST: Visible Thinking Routines: Visualized The following Visible Thinking Routines are designs I created so I could understand VTRs in a more visual & direct way. The site I use is via Harvard's Project Zero:Visible Thinking Routines PZ . For the last four years, I have utilized Project Zero's Visible Thinking Routines in my practice of DEEP design thinking.

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High Quality Learning Experiences Framework

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Visible Thinking Routines_Interview with Ron Ritchhart

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Building Thinking Questions Liljedahl New Video

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Brain Interval Cards

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Regulation PD from 10/26 J. Brummer

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Drop box of resources from Joe Brummer

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DRAFT of 2019 family reunification plan

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Staff performance and student learning require a school environment that is orderly, safe, and supportive of student engagement (attendance, participation) and instruction (social, behavioral, academic). Policies, programs, practices, systems, and curriculum are aligned, proactive rather than reactive, and in place schoolwide as well as in the classroom. Students, educators, and parents work together to adopt, implement, and sustain a shared school vision and culture. Students have clear rules, expectations, and contingencies that support identified behavioral and educational goals. Teachers feel they are part of a professional community that is supportive and responsive to their needs and those of the students. Professional learning is ongoing, targeted, participatory, and an effective process utilizing feedback and coaching. External pressures and interruptions are reduced both inside and outside the classrooms to protect teacher time for teaching, learning, and problem solving. There are strong parent-school ties that facilitate communication, coordination, and cooperation between major stakeholders. The school physical environment is well maintained to support engagement and learning.

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Staff performance and student learning require a school environment that is orderly, safe, and supportive of student engagement (attendance, participation) and instruction (social, behavioral, academic). Policies, programs, practices, systems, and curriculum are aligned, proactive rather than reactive, and in place schoolwide as well as in the classroom.

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Does dreaming up novel ways to show staff and teacher appreciation have you stumped? Is the mere mention of Teacher Appreciation Week enough to cause full-on panic? If so, relax. Here's a collection of clever event themes, activities, and gift ideas from parent groups across the country that are sure to inspire.

And remember-simple or elaborate, traditional or off-the-wall, slightly pricey or for a bargain, gestures of teacher appreciation run the gamut. The most important part of any staff appreciation effort is the heartfelt sentiment behind it, so don't worry if your group hasn't yet planned its appreciation efforts-just grab an idea, run with it, and pay homage to the people who make a difference in your children's lives.

Tasty Treats

The Woot Woot Wagon makes the rounds at Breckenridge (Texas) Elementary each month, bringing staff members treats like granola bars and water with fruit-flavored powder packs, or school supplies to help teachers restock their classrooms.

Simple refreshments like lemonade can feel festive with a few decorations. The Roger Gehring Elementary PTA in Las Vegas, Nev., included iced tea and candy at its lemonade treat bar (left). In Arkansas, the Brookland Elementary PTO (right) provided fresh fruit that could be mixed into different varieties of lemonade.

Leaders of the Leesbury (Va.) Elementary PTO traveled the halls with a coffee, tea, and cupcake cart that also had numbered envelopes. Each envelope contained a gift card to a local store; teachers picked a number and received the corresponding gift card.

Bars of different types-trail mix, popcorn, hot chocolate, and the apple bar shown-have been making the rounds, and with good reason: They're inexpensive, pretty, easy to set up, and yummy!

For its Sharpies/Smarties bar, the Stratford Landing Elementary PTA in Alexandria, Va., arranged the simple gifts in an appealing display that's Instagram-ready.

Speaking of inexpensive and easy, it doesn't get much simpler or cheaper than purchasing mini pies and decorating them with a pretty ribbon. Even better, it's an idea that can be tailored to work for different times of year.

Even if you lack volunteer power, funds, or time, there are still plenty of ways to show you care. The PTO at Westfield (Ind.) Intermediate and Middle schools makes small gestures throughout the year. Several times a year they host milk and cookie days. It's easy because they discovered that parents readily respond to requests to send in packages of store-bought cookies.

Teachers at Union Heights enjoyed an Australian Outback-theme luncheon that featured grilled shrimp and steak kabobs. "It's so much easier to break down the appreciation days so you don't feel overwhelmed. That way you get to honor a group each month and they feel special for the entire month," says Union Heights PTO president Jennifer Frazier.

The Westfield PTO also assembles Halloween grab bags for staff, and rather than simply pile them on a table in the lounge, they'll walk the halls and deliver them. "It's a little bit of face time when they can actually see us and hear us saying 'Have a great day. Thanks for all you do,'" says PTO president BethAnn Buehler.

Glen Hills Elementary in Cranston, R.I., likes the healthy message conveyed by " Bring your teacher a piece of fruit " day during Teacher Appreciation Week. The parent group supplies all teachers with baskets, making for a nice take-home gift.

The Robinson Middle School PTA in Plano, Texas, organizes a casserole night where parents bring in both homemade casseroles and upscale, store-bought frozen dinners to give teachers a night off from cooking.

When it comes to luncheon themes, simple elegance has a place at the table, too. In 2012, no one at Greenville (Ala.) Elementary could remember the last time teachers were shown any special recognition during Teacher Appreciation Week. The PTA set out to remedy the situation by hosting an elegant sit-down, catered lunch with colorful table linens, a nice punch bowl, and pretty floral arrangements. Parent volunteers kept watch on classrooms, and teachers said they felt like kings and queens dining uninterrupted among their peers. They each received personalized keepsakes-a booklet filled with letters of appreciation from students moved several teachers to tears.

Escape From the Everyday

Using the theme "A getaway, for when you can't get away," the West Elementary PTA in Grand Prairie, Texas, encouraged teachers to daydream about vacations. Teachers received an itinerary with a different destination for each day. At each event, teachers were greeted by parent volunteers wearing flight attendant pins.

The camping theme from the Eagle Academy Charter School PTO in Eagle River, Alaska, included sack lunches for staff. Volunteers hung signs around the school showing the reasons students would like to go camping with staff members. Students also brought in nature-theme painted rocks for teachers.

For its New England coastal-theme buffet, the Summer Street School PTO in Lynnfield, Mass., decorated a room in the style of a seaside cottage, including a mock window with a beautiful beach view.

At Union Heights Elementary in Morristown, Tenn., there's still buzz about the unique way the PTO honored the principal in the 2012-13 school year. It's the group's custom to lavish attention on a different staff department each month. When it was the principal's turn, the PTO adopted a medieval theme and arranged to have him knighted. A retired teacher dressed as Queen Elizabeth I performed the ceremony accompanied by period music. The principal was suitably attired and received a proclamation and a chart. Union Heights became UH Castle for the day and boasted medieval decor, including "shields of appreciation" and class crests made by students.

Teachers at Rosa Parks Elementary in Woodbridge, Va., relish the neck and back massages that their PTO arranges for them once a year. The PTO transforms the school's story room into a calming haven complete with soft music, dimmed lights, and liquid refreshments. The mini massages are provided by therapists from a local massage therapy school. A catered lunch is served another day, and drawings for donated gift cards are held throughout the week. "For me, Teacher Appreciation Week is like Christmas," says Rosa Parks PTO treasurer Tammy Luczak.

In May 2013 the PTO at Morgan Elementary in Shelby Township, Mich., had staff members running through the halls and combing the school for clues during Teacher Appreciation Week-and they loved every minute of it! The PTO devised a weeklong interactive challenge based on the television show The Amazing Race. On Monday, staff members received a small gift bag that included a passport complete with their picture, a cookie, a water bottle, and a bandana, as well as directions on how to play the game. Teachers and staff were grouped into teams representing 10 different countries. The halls were decorated to correspond to the countries, and the staff room was transformed into an airport lounge, featuring an arrival and departure board. Teams had to solve clues to find specific objects and emailed a photo of each object to the Morgan Volunteers parent group. Teachers were so eager to play that they arrived early to complete each day's clues. The Amazing Race-theme food was a highlight, including candy from each of the 10 countries. The week was capped off by an Italian feast, during which prizes were awarded.

Teachers Are Superheroes

If you choose a superhero theme, set up a photo booth where staff members can strike a pose as a famous do-gooder. At Walter S. Yates Elementary in Brandon, Fla., the PTA also provided teachers with special meals and snacks, as well as a lunch cooler or tote bag.

Take the superhero theme a step further by calling back to superheroes' comic book beginnings. The White Point Elementary School PFO in San Pedro, Calif., used this graphic to promote teacher appreciation week activities.

Great Gifts

Everyone loves fuzzy socks! The Clark Mills PTO in Manalapan, N.J., created a sock bar by rolling each pair of socks and placing it in an ice cream cup. Each gift was wrapped in cellophane and had a gift tag saying "You knock our socks off!" The PTO stuck with the theme for its Happy Feet raffle, in which it gave away a massage gift certificate.

A few flower bulbs are a nice gesture when placed in a gift bag with a thoughtful message. The Sherman Elementary PTO in Warwick, R.I., made these bags for its teachers.

For Teacher Appreciation Week, the Kay Franklin Elementary PTA in San Antonio, Texas, set up what it called the "ultimate gift buffet": All 90 staff members were invited to choose 14 items from the choices displayed, which included school supplies, disinfecting wipes, gift cards, and houseplants, among other things.

These bouquets are made from dry erase markers and foam stickers. The Booster Club at South Brunswick Charter School in Bolivia, N.C., made the gifts. The "flowers" are held in place by pool noodle pieces in the base of the planters.

A lunch bag from the Parent Teacher Co-op in Riverview, Fla., was filled with snacks and items to help teachers relax, including an adult coloring book, colored pencils, and a stress reliever toy shaped like a pencil.

Useful gifts with the school name are always appreciated. The PTO at Prospect Elementary School in Elyria, Ohio, gave teachers keychains with a paper key bearing the message "Thank you for being a 'key' to Prospect's success!"

Small Breaks

Teachers at Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary in Waldorf, Md., enjoyed a group painting class together, courtesy of the PTO.

The Parent Teacher Council at Rescue (Calif.) Elementary found an easy way to give teachers a good laugh. Throughout the year, the PTC posted funny memes on the break room refrigerator showing the humor in the teaching experience.

Downtime is a little more relaxing for teachers at Gardner Road Elementary in Horseheads, N.Y., since the PTO arranged for the donation of a massage chair from a local store.

In Cheektowaga, N.Y., the Union East Elementary PTA made stress relief kits for teachers consisting of small pieces of bubble wrap and simple instructions.

Personal Shout-Outs

To celebrate custodians, students at Breitling Elementary in Grand Bay, Ala., drew pictures of them and signed posters that said "We (heart) our custodians!" Students also made banners for a parade that thanked specific employees, like this one for Mr. Frank.

The Roberts Elementary PTO in Shelby Township, Mich., asked students to write why they love their teachers on adhesive notes, which were added to a public display.

Public recognition is always appreciated. At Oak Grove Elementary in Lewisburg, Tenn., the PTO supplied sidewalk chalk, which students used to write their favorite things about their teachers on the school entryway.

At Roxboro Ridge Middle School in Syracuse, N.Y., the PTO set up an appreciation station and encouraged students and families to write personal thank-you notes to teachers.

Other Ways To Show the Love

Taking profits in the form of books instead of cash prompted the construction of a creative holiday gift. The Rosa Parks PTO took all the books they'd amassed-more than $800 worth-and built a Christmas "tree" out of them. Draped with ribbon, it looked quite festive when presented to teachers for their classrooms. Teachers also received bookcases donated by a local company.

Another book-related idea is to enter your school in the List it for a Library Sweepstakes by our sister site TeacherLists. Ten winners will receive a classroom library from Scholastic. Entries must be submitted by June 30, 2020.

To help their teachers through cold and flu season, the PTA at Seabreeze Elementary in Jacksonville Beach, Fla., put together a cleaning supplies buffet that included a cute and cheeky sign reading "Roses are red, kids are gross, which PTA loves you the most?"

Just in time for the holidays, the PTO at Eileen Conners Elementary in Las Vegas, Nev., hangs these "You've Been Elfed!" hangers on teachers' doors and fills orders over the break.

In addition to their principal "knighting," Union Heights staged a Mad Hatter tea party for the cafeteria staff. The women received new aprons with the school's UH logo, headbands with little hats attached, and a gift card. Students showed their appreciation by wearing crazy hats to school. And during another monthly event, UH office staff received movie star treatment when they were chauffeured to lunch off campus. In true Hollywood style, they walked a star-studded red carpet to waiting vehicles while fans-their students-screamed. Later they received a movie-theme gift basket.

A lot of parent groups still like to go all out during Teacher Appreciation Week, the first full week in May. Linda Vista Elementary in Mission Viejo, Calif., converts its multipurpose room into an outlandish environment -something totally unexpected designed to surprise, says PTA president Bruce Wood. One year the PTA turned it into a pirate ship. Then for a couple of years they did a beach party theme complete with sand and surfboards. The teachers sat on beach chairs under umbrellas while eating lunch.

As well, Linda Vista PTA used a roadhouse theme that they plan to repeat because it was so popular with teachers. A parent who is a professional musician performed with a colleague on a stage set up in the multipurpose room. The room was transformed to feature a dropped dark ceiling and resulting dimmed atmosphere. Tea lights glowed from tables, old license plates dotted the walls, and a collection of musical instruments lay about. Staff entered through a specially constructed portico entrance, but first a bouncer had to check them in. In addition to the music, staff members enjoyed food and received goody bags. "The roadhouse is a hit because they get out of their element and they can request songs and sing along and just have a great time," Wood says.

Teacher Appreciation Dos and Don'ts

DO extend recognition efforts to support staff. Glen Hills Elementary took time to honor its longtime custodian Ray Casale, staging a "Mr. Ray Day." Children dressed in blue as Mr. Ray does and gave him drawings or letters. During the lunch period, he lounged in a lawn chair and ate a special meal while 6th graders cleaned the cafeteria. If you can, take a page from the Union Heights Elementary playbook, the school that honors a different department each month.

DO share teacher wish lists with parents. At Linda Vista Elementary, parents can pull paper apples off a tree and fulfill a classroom need listed on it. Schools can also use TeacherLists.com to create wish lists that can be viewed online or on mobile devices.

DO provide little pick-me-ups throughout the year. Morgan Elementary welcomes teachers back in the fall with "supply cakes"-essentially a creative assemblage of necessary school supplies. Westfield Intermediate and Middle schools never fail to organize their much-loved holiday cookie exchange in December.

DON'T feel like you have to knock yourself out coming up with an event to top all others. You could end up pushing your volunteers too hard and risk losing them. Instead, keep in mind that teachers really are happy with simple expressions of appreciation.
Originally posted in 2013 and updated regularly. June Allan Corrigan contributed to this article.
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41 Teacher Appreciation Ideas They'll Love - PTO Today

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Does dreaming up novel ways to show staff and teacher appreciation have you stumped? Is the mere mention of Teacher Appreciation Week enough to cause full-on panic? If so, relax. Here's a collection of clever event themes, activities, and gift ideas from parent groups across the country that are sure to inspire.

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One of the most critical components of building a positive school culture is fostering relationships among the teachers. Creating relationships among teachers will lead to increased collaboration, more trust, better communication, and much success. To assist you with building an effective team and more positive school culture, we are providing you with 27 team-building activities.

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27 Games for Teachers to Build Better Teams - Teaching Expertise

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One of the most critical components of building a positive school culture is fostering relationships among the teachers. Creating relationships among teachers will lead to increased collaboration, more trust, better communication, and much success. To assist you with building an effective team and more positive school culture, we are providing you with 27 team-building activities.

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Teachers are some of the most creative people in the world. When it comes to motivating students to do their best and celebrating their achievements, educators think outside the box to keep learning exciting, rewarding, and fun.

Here are some of our favorite examples of teachers going above and beyond to motivate student achievement. We hope these five ideas inspire you to try something new at your school!

1. Jello Challenge

The Jello Challenge is a clever and colorful twist on the classic pie in the face. At McDonough Middle School in Hartford, Connecticut, the math department staff celebrated their students' increased usage of MATHia by letting themselves get smashed in the face with pie tins full of jello!

Math Dept and Ms. Martinez taking the jello challenge because our bears have increased Mathia and Zearn usage!
Math Dept y la Sra. Martinez tomando el desafío de gelatina porque nuestros osos han aumentado el uso de Mathia y Zearn! ��➕@Hartford_Public @MrRichT1P @theHARTofMATH pic.twitter.com/SPHDYRml9X
- McDonough Middle School (@McdonoughmsB) March 15, 2021

Activity variations:

The goal students are aiming for could be usage, completion, or proficiency.

Depending on how many staff members are participating, decide how many students or fellow staff will get to smash the food into faces.

Try different foods, such as pudding, yogurt, or the original version of this activity-whipped cream.

2. Rap about It

Thomas Mayfield, Jr. is a nationally recognized culturally responsive educator at Fort Worth Independent School District in Texas whose rap-infused lessons have been featured on Good Morning America, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, USA Today, and more. His raps have ranged from teaching his students decimals to encouraging them to attend college.

Congratulations @MayfieldMath @LAComoFWISD on having your incredible work with students featured on @GMA! �� We are so proud to work with you. https://t.co/YjV0SMNK36
- Carnegie Learning (@carnegielearn) July 16, 2021

Activity variations:

Help your students learn through other genres! Pick the melody of your favorite pop or country song and write new lyrics to sing as a class. You could also choose a familiar nursery rhyme, cheer, or video game theme song.

Have students write their own rap or poem to teach each other a new principle or skill.

3. Mummy Contest

Halloween is around the corner, and a mummy contest would be a perfectly spooky way to motivate students to work their hardest until then! Students who made the most growth in Fast ForWord at Walnut Grove School in Madison County, Alabama, were selected to participate in a mummy contest where they got to wrap their teachers in toilet paper.

The Mummy Contest is a wrap! Mrs. Young's team took home the top prize. Congratulations to the students who were selected to participate for top Fast ForWord growth in their grade! pic.twitter.com/XCMmk0YWFN
- Walnut Grove (@WGBulldogs) October 31, 2019

Activity variations:

When mummies are no longer in season, you can hold other contests that select students can compete in:

4. Feed Them-and Make It Rhyme

To celebrate their students' MATHia scores being the greatest of all time-the GOAT-teachers at Troy Buchanan High School in Troy, Missouri, organized a root beer float party. The rhyme was the cherry on top!

����Your Mathia score is the GOAT, come have a root beer float!���� Yesterday we had our Mathia reward day and it was a hit! #tmstribe @PaigeEdmunds11 @carnegielearn pic.twitter.com/eNyWomnHaA
- Briley Browning (@Briley_Browning) May 27, 2021

Activity variations:

No matter what food or drink you prepare for your milestone party, your students will have a great time! Celebrate student success with any of these food ideas that are proven hits:

5. Taped to the Wall

At Goochland Middle School in Goochland County, Virginia, students worked hard all year on their reading to be able to tape up their school leaders to the wall. Their literacy skills aren't the only thing that stuck!

Tape the admin to the wall #readingforareason @GMSPotter @JSRucker pic.twitter.com/DcKf1QPxgd
- Cindy Matejka (@cindymatejka) May 25, 2018

Activity variations:

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5 Creative Ways to Motivate Student Achievement

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Teachers are some of the most creative people in the world. When it comes to motivating students to do their best and celebrating their achievements, educators think outside the box to keep learning exciting, rewarding, and fun. Here are some of our favorite examples of teachers going above and beyond to motivate student achievement.

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An activity that encourages high school students to honor their peers can help build a strong classroom community.

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Celebrating Student Success in the Classroom

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Celebrating Student Success in the Classroom

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Written by Alison Smith

It might be one of the best parts of being a teacher - getting the chance to celebrate student success and provide them with positive feedback for a job well done.
Make your classroom buzz! Subscribe to Teach Starter and access thousands of curriculum-aligned resources and digital learning tools. Get Started
Why is it important to give students positive feedback and celebrate their successes?

The researchers tell us that celebrating student success in the classroom doesn't just make our kids feel good. It significantly impacts their memory, learning, motivation, and other cognitive functions. When students receive positive feedback for something that they have done, it is essentially a signal to their brain saying 'do it again'.

Celebrating success is an essential element of every classroom. It is the driver behind student motivation, self-esteem, and creating a positive classroom culture. There are many ways that teachers and principals can motivate students by celebrating their achievements and providing positive reinforcement.

How to Celebrate Student Success

Read on to find out how you can celebrate student success in your classroom ... and a few watch-outs to keep in mind.

Celebrate With a Class High-Five

Celebrating student success and building relationships go hand in hand.

A quick way to encourage class morale and to raise the profile of even the quietest member of your class is to encourage class high-fives to celebrate student success - or class elbow bumps, air high fives, etc. in these times of social distancing.

Encourage every student in the class to acknowledge the success of an individual by giving him or her a well-deserved high-five. For as little disruption as possible, this works most effectively at the end of the lesson or at the end of the day as students leave the room.

Be mindful of students with additional needs who may not enjoy this experience.

Call Home

There are all too many times when we have to draw a deep breath and pick up the phone to call a parent about a problem in the classroom. But calling home to tell parents something good about their child? We don't get to do that nearly as much ... and yet it's much, much more fun.

Just a tip: Grab some tissues.

If there's one way to make parents tear up, it's to give them a call to tell them how well their child is doing. It makes parents feel proud. But most importantly it makes students feel proud of themselves and of each other.

Don't forget to be mindful of cultural differences and sensitive family dynamics. You may also need to give busy working parents a heads-up via email before you make the call.

Celebration Tunnels

Is there anything more uplifting than running through a human tunnel? Celebration tunnels have to be my all-time favorite way to celebrate student success - no teaching resources required.

Kids love it, and let's face it, adults love it too. Check out how much fun we had celebrating in the Teach Starter office!

Celebrate Life Skills

As teachers, it can be easy to fall into the trap of celebrating student achievement based solely on academics. But not only can that create a fixed mindset, it often leaves students who don't make the honor roll left out.

Watching out for ways to ensure you celebrate all kinds of success is an important part of building a positive classroom culture. One perfect place to celebrate student success that's not about the letter or number at the top of the paper is in the areas of personal and social capability.

I'm a big fan of hanging this using little clothespins along with badges that show off successes in communicating, working collaboratively, and more. Hanging displays help to keep surfaces free, are effective eye-catchers, and they also act as daily reminders for you and your class.

Here's how...

1. Create a name tag for each student..

2. Attach a length of string (one for each student) to the wall using mounting putty.

3. Provide a container of mini clothespins.

4. Help your students to hang up their badges (we printed these personal and social capability badges) on their string when they are awarded.

Send Postcards and Letters Home

Kids love mail. Heck, WE love mail (except bills ... sigh). Sending home letters or even just a postcard in the mail is a great way to make students feel good and also incorporate their family members into celebrating their classroom successes.

Why is receiving a postcard or letter in the mail so magical? Letter writing takes time, shows a deep level of care, and makes the receiver feel valued. The extra effort of writing a letter goes a long way in making your students feel special, appreciated, and proud of themselves. Letters are timeless treasures that make memories.

It's easy to make postcards on your own - to create a personalized design, why not layer up images of your student's artwork? For a next-level surprise, why not send the postcards before a break so that they are received while your all out of the classroom?

For quick and easy letter templates, take a look at our growing collection of Positive Parent Notes that can be adapted to meet your needs. If you want to keep things simple, you could use an award from our Certificates and Awards collection and send that home too.

Buddy Awards

Students tend to look up to their buddies and see them as role models. So, it makes perfect sense to ask buddies to help celebrate student success by presenting student awards.

We are all familiar with buddy systems. A buddy system is where a child gets paired with another child, usually one that is older. A buddy system can help students to feel valued and supported, teach important social skills and create a caring culture in the school.

You'll find that awards and certificates given by class buddies have a whole new meaning and value. So, simply choose one or two students each week to receive a buddy award.

Pick your favorite design and theme from our huge range of Certificates and Awards. I love our bright and bold Let's Celebrate - Award Certificate and Let's Celebrate - Student Badges.

Celebration Envelopes

Celebration Envelopes are a great way to recognize student success and to develop peer relationships. This fun activity is particularly suitable for the upper elementary grades and encourages students to think about the strengths of others.

This activity works well in small groups as well as a whole class activity. Here's how it works:

1. Provide each student with an envelope and a blank piece of paper inside.

2. Ask your students to write their name on the envelope and to gather in a circle.

3. Instruct your students to pass their envelope to the person on their right.

4. Ask your students to read the name on the envelope and to think of a strength that they recognize in this person.

5. Encourage students to write this strength on the piece of paper.

6. Students continue to pass the envelopes around the circle and to record the strengths of their peers.

7. The process is complete when all envelopes have been returned to their owner.

Plan a Principal Class Visit

There is huge power in asking your school principal to visit your classroom to celebrate student success. Book in some time in their schedule and ask your school principal to drop by.

During your principal's visit, be sure to give him or her a tour of your wonderful classroom. Showcase the amazing achievements that your students are making. Most importantly, don't forget to share how you have been celebrating student success in your classroom.

You might even provide him or her with one or two individual awards to present. I like to make sure that there is a badge for everyone so that no one goes home empty-handed.

Find a badge that your students will love in our huge collection of Star Student Badges.

Set up a Student Success Wow Wall

A great way to celebrate student success is to create a "Wow Work" wall where students can proudly put their work on display. What's more, you can encourage classroom visitors to check it out!

Check out this eye-catching example of a Wow Work Wall by @the.colourful.teacher.

How often do you provide students with an opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments?

I hope that this blog inspires you to create more time and space to celebrate students' success. Which idea are you going to try first?

Share your celebrations on Instagram #teachstarterus

Banner image via shutterstock/comeback media
Make your classroom buzz! Subscribe to Teach Starter and access thousands of curriculum-aligned resources and digital learning tools. Get Started

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9 Creative Ways to Celebrate Student Success in Your Classroom | Teach Starter

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Written by Alison Smith It might be one of the best parts of being a teacher - getting the chance to celebrate student success and provide them with positive feedback for a job well done. Make your classroom buzz! Subscribe to Teach Starter and access thousands of curriculum-aligned resources and digital learning tools.

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Teaching is one of the most taxing professions because educators give so much of their time and energy to their work. Frequently used terms like "burnout" can imply that teachers simply can't handle their workload or aren't measuring up to expectations. Doris Santoro of Bowdoin College and author of Demoralized: Why Teachers Leave the Profession They Love and How They Can Stay, says it isn't that educators are just overworked. Teachers are " demoralized " by a profession that doesn't value their contributions or hard work, and by a system that focuses on test scores instead of the real work of teaching.

In a study published in the Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, Keith Herman and Wendy Reinke, of the University of Missouri College of Education, found that:

93% of elementary school teachers say they experience a high level of stress in their job

46% of teachers overall report high everyday stress

This impacts "their health, sleep, quality of life, and teaching performance," according to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

What can we do? One movement is tackling teacher self-care at the school level and leveraging teacher relationships and support networks to collectively improve the mental health of educators.
Read more about Quick Classroom Stress Relievers for Teachers
A Happy Teacher Revolution

Happy Teacher Revolution was started by Baltimore public school educator Danna Thomas with a mission to create a network to support the mental health and wellness of teachers. "I've had the opportunity to connect with educators from around the world who believe in the power of social support networks like Happy Teacher Revolution to foster resilience by providing an opportunity for teachers to explore topics like vicarious trauma, caregiver burnout, compassion fatigue, toxic stress, and the demoralization of teaching," Thomas says.

The network began in the form of a support group in her school and has since grown to hundreds of educators across the country. "We believe that teachers should not feel obligated to sacrifice their wholeness or well-being in order to perform well professionally. We hope to empower teachers to feel that living a complete, happy life runs alongside their ability to form authentic relationships with students. Thus, teachers feel empowered to stay in the classroom because they feel emotionally supported and fulfilled."

How Happy Teacher Revolution works

In HTR groups, teachers come together, sit in a circle, and reflect upon their experiences and the HTR list of 12 Choices. This includes things like: "I choose to make time for sleep" and "No matter how the school year started, I choose to finish well." Says Thomas, "Self-care isn't selfish. Self-care is survival." Meetings may also include mindfulness, meditation, or yoga.
Read more about Health Tips for Teachers
Thomas now offers a training course for those who would like to bring the HTR model to their school. The course costs $300 (often payable by a teacher's school or district) and can count toward professional development hours or credit. "Through the power of community, educators have the space to empathize with one another and participate in a social support network proven to alleviate the stress associated with teaching," Thomas says.

Social-emotional learning - for teachers

With the push for SEL in the classroom, teachers' responsibilities have continued to increase outside of academic content. While teacher preparation programs are beginning to include the study of stress management and SEL into their coursework, the need for school-based SEL support for educators remains great. Much of the content available in SEL lessons for students can be used by adults, and creating an SEL teacher network can make a huge difference in your learning community's culture.

"Social and emotional competencies influence everything from teacher-student relationships to classroom management to effective instruction to teacher burnout," according to Stephanie M. Jones, Suzanne M. Bouffard, and Richard Weissbourd, authors of " Educators' Social and Emotional Skills Vital to Learning." They note that consistent SEL practice by teachers positively impacts teacher and student relationships and experiences. "Like students, educators can benefit from structures and routines that continually remind and guide them in using SEL skills. Used in ongoing ways throughout the school day, routines can take the form of structured activities (e.g., techniques for calming down) or specific language (e.g., "I messages" for stating feelings)."

How to start
Educator Wellness: Self-Care in a Selfless Field Mindfulness Training Tips for Teachers Self-Care for Teachers of Traumatized Students The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning
Take a lesson from Happy Teacher Revolution and start your own school-based group, or incorporate social-emotional learning for adults into professional development time. "Teachers who have limited emotional regulation skills may have trouble coping with stress and struggle to model effective stress management for students," the authors say. "Teachers with stronger SEL competencies have more positive relationships with students and manage their classrooms more effectively." And who doesn't want that? Get proactive about self-care with your fellow educators. After all, we're all in this together.

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Tags: Mid-Career Teacher, New Teacher, Teacher Leadership, Teacher Self-Care, Toolkit: Community Leadership, Veteran Teacher, Work-Life Balance

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Happy Teacher Revolution: Create A Community for Teacher Wellness | Resilient Educator

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Teaching is one of the most taxing professions because educators give so much of their time and energy to their work. Frequently used terms like "burnout" can imply that teachers simply can't handle their workload or aren't measuring up to expectations.

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Link to our active shooter drill in the spring

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contributed by Anne Davis

It's unfortunate that teachers often take the brunt of the backlash when students and school systems don't succeed.

Though it is the role of a teacher to educate, this role cannot be completed efficiently if not provided the right tools. Educators must be provided with the appropriate environment, time, finances, and educational resources to teach students in this ever-changing society.

Generally, what teachers need to be effective in the classroom is thought of in terms of content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge, classroom management skills, and related soft skills like time management and organization. This post offers a brief overview of some of the 'other' things beyond pedagogy and content knowledge that teachers need to be effective.

See also 10 Simple Ways To Engage In Lifelong Learning
Beyond Pedagogy: 8 Other Things A Teacher Needs To Be Effective In The Classroom 1. Manageable expectations
While we could discuss the 'expectations' of education at large, for now, let's simply focus on class size and available space and technology.

Students cannot learn efficiently if they don't have enough space. Overcrowding is not only uncomfortable but can be a distraction and present problems. As class sizes increase each year, it is imperative that teachers are provided with classrooms that can accommodate all of their students comfortably.
2. Support from 'home'
Regardless of what the student's home circumstance is, teachers can always benefit from support at home in the form of literacy and skill improvement, as well as organization and mindset/moral support.
3. Time
Beyond reasonable expectations, teachers having enough time to do their jobs is one of the most crucial factors for their success. (Here are some ways teachers can save time in the classroom). Part of that time is enough time with students. Learning new concepts isn't something that tends to happen overnight.

If students are to truly grasp the curriculum taught to them, educators must be given an appropriate amount of time to work the lessons. Oftentimes, however, teachers are on such a tight schedule to meet deadlines and get students to pass standardized tests that they don't have the adequate time to work on student comprehension and academic retention.

4. Adequate funding for curriculum, training, and other teaching and learning resources.
Whether public or private, education isn't cheap. After using allotted funds for salaries and operational costs, however, teachers often don't have much to work with.

Students, therefore, suffer because they are not provided with enough funds to obtain the resources needed to enhance their learning experience. It is important for teachers to work with the school administrators and/or parents and the community to find solutions to raise funds for their students.
5. Technology that helps students learn.
Gone are the days where paper and hard copy textbooks are used in the classrooms.

Today's digitally-inclined world has transformed the way students learn. To keep up with modern times, it is necessary for teachers to have the right educational resources. From computers and tablets to software and online tools like animation drawing videos, these sources are vital to being an effective teacher. Though many of these tools and applications can be accessed for free, teachers must look to school administrators to supply them with the basics (i.e. computer, internet connection, etc)
6. For things to work.
Teachers cannot effectively do their jobs if they work in a facility where the technology and related equipment is unreliable.

Trying to make copies on a printer that keeps jamming or breaking down, or even trying to do online research or submit grades on an outdated computer isn't going to cut it. That's why it is important for schools to allocate funds in the budget to provide their staff with reliable and up to date equipment.
7. A positive work environment
If teachers are dissatisfied with the conditions they're forced to work in, this translates to their ability to educate students. School administrators need to ensure that teachers are given more than just fair salaries. Teachers want to work in an educational system that provides the best work-life balance.

This can include things like health benefits, paid time off, personal development, training, advancement opportunities, and creature comforts like a teacher's lounge. Yet, when educators feel supported by their employers, they tend to be a lot more effective in the classroom.
8. Community and cultural championing and support
Again, teachers catch a lot of flack for the success or failure of a student's education, but the weight is not all on their shoulders.

It is also the responsibility of other staff within the facility as well as parents. When parents, other teachers, school administration, and the community all work together, children reap the benefits in a positive way. Teachers should participate in PTO and PTA programs, get involved in school events, and most importantly, speak up to administration, parents, and others when they need assistance.

There's more scrutiny about teachers and the educational system now than there has ever been before. Teachers are often evaluated on their performance in the classroom and are quickly blamed when students don't perform as they should. Yet, the truth is that if educators aren't provided with the tools, resources, and creature comforts such as those described above, they cannot be expected to be as effective in the classrooms.

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8 Things A Teacher Needs To Be Effective In The Classroom

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contributed by Anne Davis It's unfortunate that teachers often take the brunt of the backlash when students and school systems don't succeed. Though it is the role of a teacher to educate, this role cannot be completed efficiently if not provided the right tools.

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Brené Brown | Daring Classrooms | SXSWedu 2017

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Pretty cool link with ideas for showing our teachers some appreciation.

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12 Foolproof Teacher Morale Boosters - The Counseling Teacher

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Like a beautiful campfire, staff morale needs to be monitored and stoked to keep the happy fires burning. It's no secret that teachers are over worked and sometimes under appreciated. For most teachers, it's the little things that keep them going.