Classroom Connections by Jody Lickhart

Clubs/sports

2024-08-16 18:33:03 UTC

I make a point to learn which clubs and sports my students are in, and I put a "Go Volleyball! Beat Southeast Polk!" with student names on the board when they have games. I get a calendar from the Dollar Tree and have students fill in all their games during WIN so I know when competitions are. I also do the same thing for clubs and performances.

compliments cards--each student gets a class list and a pile of index cards. They write a unique and personal message for each classmate. Then teacher collects all of "Laura's" compliments and puts a hole punch and ring on the set. Laura has a take home with 22+ kind things her classmates have said about her

2024-08-16 18:33:44 UTC

Special Shares

2024-08-16 18:34:23 UTC

I often just ask students what awesome, incredible, wonderful, exciting, plain, fine, dandy, boring, regular, original things they have going on in their lives so they have an opportunity to share what they are doing. They tell me about their weekends, which includes tournaments, walks to the park, library visits, hunting, etc. and I can learn more about them and follow-up later.

Exit High Fives

2024-08-16 18:34:38 UTC

Each student chooses how they are going to say bye each day.

Present at school events

jody_lickhart — 2024-08-16 18:35:11 UTC

It helps because I am also a parent at the school but even before that, I tried to make an appearance at a few PTO events. Kids love to see their teachers outside of class!

Morning Check Ins

2024-08-16 18:35:19 UTC

I check in individually to see how students are doing first thing in the morning. Check Ins throughout the day too

Star Student

2024-08-16 18:35:34 UTC

Each day one student gets to be the star...they pick the greeting, activity, lead the lines, hand out the papers, take things to the office.

Passing Period

2024-08-16 18:35:46 UTC

Being in the hallway saying "hi" to students by name. There are certain students I bet I say "hi" to like 5+ times a day in the hallway. I also say hi to students I don't know, and then as they continue to say hi back I will ask them their name and then refer to them by name as well.

Thanksgiving

2024-08-16 18:35:47 UTC

I help the students to make a "Thanks" mural out of specific thank you notes for teachers on the last day before break.

I noticed notes

2024-08-16 18:36:25 UTC

Little notes to each student that compliment something they have done that you have noticed.

Morning Meeting Differentiation

2024-08-16 18:36:32 UTC

I have one day of a game, one of art, one of a musical/dance, one of a low key talking type activity and a ticket choice day so I include more than just those that like games into that time.

Food

2024-08-16 18:36:33 UTC

Make Breakfast(waffle/pancakes/hot chocolate), organize lunch together( student bring dishe from home for class potluck or we collect money to have pizza, I do drinks and desert). Be extra, extra patient.

Compliment Sharing

2024-08-16 18:36:38 UTC

During sharing time, each student compliments the person next to them about something they notice about that person. I notice "John" is always very friendly to everyone in the class each day."

Emails home

2024-08-16 18:37:05 UTC

I like to send emails home to parents to let them know the amazing and kind things their students are doing in class.

Post cards home

2024-08-16 18:39:07 UTC

Send a personalized card home praising the student for a job well done and working hard.