PBIS Class Activities: Building Community and Belonging at HMS by Melissa Thompson

Kindness Chain Challenge

melissa_thompson9 — 2025-03-11 20:48:44 UTC

Students create a physical paper chain where each link represents an act of kindness they've witnessed or performed at school. Each week, students add new links, and the chain grows across the classroom or hallway. Set a class goal for chain length and celebrate when reached. This visual representation helps students recognize and value positive behaviors.

Materials needed: Colored paper strips, stapler, markers

Student Spotlight Sessions

melissa_thompson9 — 2025-03-11 20:48:44 UTC

Create a weekly rotation where 2-3 students get to share something special about themselves. Students can bring in meaningful objects, share a talent, or present their cultural traditions. Peers write one positive comment or question for each presenter. This builds mutual understanding and appreciation for diversity within the school community.

Community Circle Discussions

melissa_thompson9 — 2025-03-11 20:48:44 UTC

Hold weekly community circles where students sit in a circle and discuss prompted topics like:
- What makes you feel welcome at school?
- Share a time when someone helped you
- What's one thing you'd like to see more of at HMS?

Use a talking piece to ensure everyone gets a chance to speak and be heard.

HMS Heroes Wall

melissa_thompson9 — 2025-03-11 20:48:44 UTC

Create a dedicated wall space where students can post short notes about peers who have demonstrated the school's core values or helped create a positive environment. Include photos (with permission) and specific examples. Refresh monthly to ensure many students get recognized.

Materials: Bulletin board, colorful paper, markers, photos

Cross-Grade Buddy System

melissa_thompson9 — 2025-03-11 20:48:44 UTC

Partner 7th graders with students from other grades for monthly activities. Activities could include reading together, working on school improvement projects, or sharing advice about middle school life. This creates connections across grade levels and gives 7th graders leadership opportunities.

School Spirit Solution Squad

melissa_thompson9 — 2025-03-11 20:48:44 UTC

Form small groups of students who work together to identify ways to improve school spirit and belonging. Each group creates and implements one initiative per quarter (e.g., organizing themed days, creating welcome packages for new students, designing positive message posters). Groups present their projects to the class.

Cultural Celebration Festival

melissa_thompson9 — 2025-03-11 20:48:44 UTC

Students organize a mini cultural celebration where they can share aspects of their heritage through food, music, art, or presentations. This helps celebrate diversity and creates understanding of different backgrounds within the school community. Include a collaborative art project that represents the school's unity through diversity.

Anonymous Appreciation Box

melissa_thompson9 — 2025-03-11 20:48:44 UTC

Set up a decorated box where students can submit anonymous notes of appreciation for classmates or staff members. Read selected notes during class or morning announcements. This encourages students to notice and acknowledge positive actions while building a culture of gratitude.

Materials: Decorated box, note paper, weekly schedule for reading notes

HMS Photo Story Project

melissa_thompson9 — 2025-03-11 20:48:44 UTC

Students work in teams to create photo essays or slideshows that showcase what makes HMS special. Topics might include 'A Day in the Life at HMS,' 'What Community Means to Us,' or 'HMS Through Our Eyes.' Display projects in common areas or share during school assemblies.

Community Building Challenges

melissa_thompson9 — 2025-03-11 20:48:44 UTC

Create weekly challenges that promote positive behavior and community building:
- Say hello to 5 new people
- Eat lunch with someone new
- Help someone without being asked
- Learn something new about a staff member

Students track their progress and share experiences in class discussions.

Belonging Brainstrorm Board

melissa_thompson9 — 2025-03-11 20:48:44 UTC

Create an interactive display where students post sticky notes with ideas about what makes them feel like they belong at school. Organize ideas into categories and have students vote on top suggestions to implement. Use different colors for different types of suggestions (activities, physical spaces, relationships, etc.).

Materials: Large poster board, sticky notes, markers

reward days more frequently

2025-03-12 19:03:08 UTC

Things that stuck out

2025-03-14 15:01:30 UTC

3000 students in high school

Students who struggled to find a group were often transfer students.

The kid quit football for the club.

How to make it work in HMS

Team competions like door decorating and everyone working together for one common goal.

Monthly Goals

2025-03-14 15:04:03 UTC

Set a goal for students and provide them with a reward for example :

the entire 7th grade will be on time to class in order to earn extra recess

Pep rally

2025-03-14 15:06:12 UTC

each grade level gathers in the gym for an assembly to learn about school values and up lift student achievement

2025-03-14 15:06:20 UTC

8th gr (Kingren) Make a club like we saw on the video

In the classroom if you see someone without a partner, volunteer to partner with them.

Make a table for new students and HMS veterans can rotate in and out to join them based off the day of the week.

Buddy Bench

Opportunities for prizes

2025-03-14 15:08:22 UTC

Fun run

Games

Trivia

Bingo

Culp/Smallenbroek

2025-03-14 15:09:39 UTC

-Random Acts of Kindness

-Including others in class projects

-Heart shout outs

Suggestions from period 4 KJennifer

2025-03-14 15:23:12 UTC

"Tech-together" group

Rotating lunch seating

After-school book club

Bake Sale for more equipment

After-school social club

Kindness Club

Extended recess time to socialize

Multi-cultural night

No assigned seating

8th grade mentors (mentoring new and 6th grade students)