Brainstorm: Building Relational Capacity 5 by AVID101 AVID101 https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef Brainstorm strategies or activities you use to build and maintain relational capacity with students. List them in the appropriate column on the Padlet, one idea per post. en-us 2025-05-13 18:17:43 UTC 2025-07-09 16:37:58 UTC hello@padlet.com Movement with Conversations sbessette2 https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515034918 More 4 corners or “would you rather” activities to start off class.

Especially with MTL which is "Move to Learn"

]]> 2025-07-09 16:31:10 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515034918 Social Contract https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515034959 This helps to establish norms in the classroom.

]]> 2025-07-09 16:31:16 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515034959 Name games https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035221 2025-07-09 16:31:27 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035221 https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035283 Four Corner Activities to find commonality with new people

]]> 2025-07-09 16:31:36 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035283 https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035305 Name tents, name games in a circle

]]> 2025-07-09 16:31:38 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035305 https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035365 Socratic Seminars with "spicy" topics to encourage dialogue and differing opinions.

]]> 2025-07-09 16:31:44 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035365 Names https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035399 Make name tags or tents together and play name bingo. Spend time talking about each others likes and experiences.

]]> 2025-07-09 16:31:50 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035399 human bingo dietz21 https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035403 2025-07-09 16:31:51 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035403 https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035502 Team Building activities

]]> 2025-07-09 16:31:58 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035502 https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035505 Follow the curriculum for instructional pacing.


]]> 2025-07-09 16:31:58 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035505 Name Tents sbessette2 https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035528 Keeping the name tents up but giving the students opportunity to create new ones, with different answers in each corner.

]]> 2025-07-09 16:31:59 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035528 Stage 1 https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035555 Having students play four corners or classroom bingo to see what similarities they may have with each other

]]> 2025-07-09 16:32:01 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035555 Relational Capacity https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035636 Name games, team building games, create own group name using each other's names, class contract.

]]> 2025-07-09 16:32:06 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035636 https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035658 Student/Back to School Bingo- builds connections in low-stakes environment

]]> 2025-07-09 16:32:09 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035658 Here for the ideas! https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035758 I like four corners, student BINGO, Would you rather?, etc.


I am super curious for ideas for Stage 3 and Stage 4.


]]> 2025-07-09 16:32:24 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035758 https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035800 Giving feedback, celebrating the little things, humor, team building activities

]]> 2025-07-09 16:32:31 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035800 Move and Talk https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035834 Things like numbered heads, "Solemates", etc.

]]> 2025-07-09 16:32:34 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035834 https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035867 Stations that are a mix of class norms and getting to know you activities. Have them moving instead of me just talking to them directly

]]> 2025-07-09 16:32:35 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035867 student-teacher contracts dietz21 https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035870 2025-07-09 16:32:36 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035870 Class Goals https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035882 Create a goal to work towards with the students help. Post it and refer back to it for students to see!

]]> 2025-07-09 16:32:38 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035882 Philosophical Chairs https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035896 Have students be comfortable with sharing their own thoughts and develop their thinking.

]]> 2025-07-09 16:32:41 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035896 https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035925

  • Create predictable routines and rituals that build security

  • Establish clear expectations and boundaries before conversations

  • Use gradual exposure to help students

    adapt to change slowly

    • ]]>     2025-07-09 16:32:47 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035925     Explain Sovereignty sbessette2 https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035968 I think it is important to explain what this means, especially for middle school students.

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:32:52 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035968     https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035991 Cooperative learning groups

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:32:55 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035991     stage 2 https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035993 Start building collaborative groups by introducing STEM challenges and the concept of working with each other in a science classroom setting

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:32:56 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515035993     https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036021 Earning time to complete assignments for other classes.

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:32:59 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036021     Real Life TRFs https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036027 Let kids do a TRF on a problem (academic or personal) they are having and have them do a tutorial on how to fix it, deal with it, etc.

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:33:00 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036027     Collaboration https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036044 Purposeful grouping of desks to share collaboration. AVID Claps, shout outs, positive praise.

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:33:02 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036044     Historian Cards - Shared PPT File drewsk2 https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036055 A shared PowerPoint file that students in that class have access to. They each create their own slide to introduce themselves to me and each other. (Name, Hobbies, Favorite Historian Quote and how it resonates with them)


    I teach 11th grade so a lot of them know each other but we also have 2 Navy bases and get new kids often in such a big school! I use to have them do this on an index card but have LOVED doing the PPT!

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:33:03 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036055     https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036092 Socratic seminars, goal setting and reflection

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:33:09 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036092     https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036096 Group Projects that are "gameified"- creating a shared goal that encourages students to collaborate and win.


    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:33:10 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036096     https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036115 Establish classroom expectations and norms

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:33:13 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036115     Philosophical Chairs https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036223 Especially when they have been given sentence frames to use (elementary) to state their opinions and acknowledge others

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:33:22 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036223     "Who is Telling The Truth" https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036280 A riff on "Two Truths and a Lie" that I learned for summer institute. Students gather three interesting facts about themselves in their group (I do it every time there is a new seating chart), then change two of those facts slightly so they are no longer the truth. They then guess "who is telling the truth".

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:33:30 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036280     https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036307

  • Practice "productive discomfort" - intentional but supported risk-taking

  • Build resilience through small, recoverable failures

    • ]]>     2025-07-09 16:33:34 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036307     Real Conversations https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036422 Have them envision their goals and write letters to their future self. Have them create a vision of their own future and list the steps required to reach it.

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:33:48 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036422     https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036444 Asking each other questions before asking the teacher, peer feedback

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:33:52 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036444     Shared Praise https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036462 Team or partner binder checks with interview questions and feedback options. Give one get one compliments, leadership opportunities and community service with each other.

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:33:56 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036462     https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036478 Fun Friday: Different SEL Activities. Accept mess and loudness.

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:33:58 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036478     Hot Seat sbessette2 https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036595 The Hot Seat was one of my favorite activities we did this past year. The students were not afraid to ask each other those hard topic questions and there were great conversations that came out of it. I had a boy from Europe and an American student asked "What is one thing you would change about America" and the boy from Europe was comfortable in responding. All of my American students listened and even asked follow up questions to his answer.

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:34:13 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036595     Tracking progress https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036650 Students track progress and set goals... discuss with group/team. Cheer each other on when success is achieved or when goal is met.

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:34:16 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036650     Automatic Affirmations https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036704 Snapping Fingers as a way to show agreement!

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:34:19 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036704     Science Groups with Roles mclaren_g https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036716 Each student is assigned a role, responsible for their individual task, same groups over the course of a unit. Everyone depends on each other to get the job done, facilitated for structured sharing / note taking. Builds trust and collaboration skills while reducing conflict through assigned roles (fewer power struggles).

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:34:21 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036716     Answer Garden drewsk2 https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036719 Answer Garden! This could be used at any level really!

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:34:21 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036719     https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036767 Tracking individual student reading goals.

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:34:27 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036767     Read different versions of stories https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036813 Read different versions of the same story and discuss what was the same and what was different. Ask students to express their opinions on what they think and feel. Ask the open ended questions that don't have a right or wrong question.

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:34:35 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036813     https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036814

  • Define relationship boundaries clearly - what's included and excluded

  • Build capacity to influence without controlling

    • ]]>     2025-07-09 16:34:35 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036814     Stage 1 https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036847 Meet and greet students at the door, allow them to create a handshake, high five etc., and say their name, practice this in different ways

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:34:41 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036847     Collaborative Study Groups drewsk2 https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036881 Tutorials for the content classroom!

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:34:44 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036881     https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036911 Personal Reflection Questions to understand each other in a deeper capacity

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:34:50 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036911     Gallery walks/Padlet https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036956 Acknowledging differences and similarities within our thinking by having them look at others work and or sharing the driving questions we have via online formats/in classroom setting .

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:34:55 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036956     The Line Game https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036973 2025-07-09 16:34:58 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515036973 Safe/ Quiet spot https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515037019 Have a quiet spot in the classroom for those moments.

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:35:04 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515037019     World Cafe drewsk2 https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515037047 A different type of jigsaw :)

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:35:08 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515037047     Stage 1 https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515037103 Stage 1 Relational Capacity Activities:

    Would you Rather?

    I love my neighbor...

    Mystery Student

    Mingle Bingo


    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:35:17 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515037103     https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515037215 Give students the responsibility of running their own tutorials with minimal teacher/ tutor input

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:35:33 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515037215     https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515037233 Different team challenges- like a marble run, tallest tower, etc. Something meant to be fun but to push their problem solving and collaboration.

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:35:37 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515037233     Creative problem solving https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515037250 Have a physical problem the kids need to solve and work together to come up with the answer either in groups or whole class.

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:35:42 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515037250     The Maze Activity https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515037281 A floor maze that students work through collaboratively. It can be found in the WAGS for the 9th Grade Elective, and is a common collaborative/relationship-building activity.


    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:35:48 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515037281     Restorative Circles https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515037283 When conflict occurs or when the class has an "issue" creating a restorative circle works great.

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:35:48 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515037283     Student Voice https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515037284 Philosophical chairs, Socratic Seminars (their choice of topic), current event warm up questions, warm up questions on "hot topics" that they are interested in. Group "we" mentality from the beginning- we are AVID Family- constantly said and modeled by me and each other.

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:35:49 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515037284     Would you rather https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515037308 start with non academic topics

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:35:52 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515037308     Student as Teacher mclaren_g https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515037311 Teacher takes a supporting role while a student leads a familiar routine / exercise / lesson. Students lead the discussion, only moderated by the teacher when necessary. 75%+ student talk time / voice.

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:35:53 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515037311     Competition https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515037568 Minute to win it games are great for this. Creates a positive environment and collaboration.

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:36:38 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515037568     Rubrics for Socratic Seminars https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515037675 Involve students in creating the rubrics for Socratic Seminars


    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:36:52 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515037675     Math Monitors https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515037832 Provide assistance

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:37:15 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515037832     Let students take charge https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515037838 2025-07-09 16:37:17 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515037838 Socratic Seminars/One pagers as a group project https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515038095 Having students participate in Socratic seminars to engage with each others ideas or having students do group work using a one pager

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:37:57 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515038095     Stage 2: Building "Controlled Chaos" with Collaborative Structures https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515038117 Some Collaborative Structures:

    Defining Group Roles

    Numbered Heads

    Team Huddle

    Pair Share

    Team Building

    ]]>     2025-07-09 16:38:02 UTC https://padlet.com/avid101/cvglenlp1l8kklef/wish/3515038117