Are you looking forward to having a great school year? Setting up success throughout the year can take extra time at the beginning of the year but can have great results. Mobile Ed has put together a few ways you can build your classroom culture and encourage a positive attitude toward learning through new and old traditions.

The beginning of the school year is an exciting time for both students and educators. Students are reuniting with old friends and meeting new ones. We as educators are excited to get into the curriculum, beginning the year-long journey into our courses and establishing that baseline to show growth. You may be anxious to get started. However, it is worth the time to establish these classroom traditions for success throughout the year.

Not only are traditions fun for students and build community in our classrooms, but they can also help us later on in the year by establishing trust, encouraging positive attitudes, and providing structure in our classrooms. As the school year progresses, the classroom relies more on the routines established, and the teacher’s focus has to shift to getting through the entire curriculum with vibrant lesson planning for engaging lessons. And did we mention they are just plain fun? As Abraham Lincoln said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the ax” Let’s spend the first weeks sharpening that ax.

8 Traditions to Start in Your Classroom

Here are just eight engaging traditions to start your school year off right and build that essential classroom community. 

• • • Classroom Scavenger Hunt. Create a scavenger hunt that helps students get to know the classroom, school, and each other. Provide a list of items or locations they need to find and tasks to complete, such as finding a particular book in the library, learning three new things about a classmate, or locating important areas like the nurse's office. This activity can help students feel more comfortable in their new environment and foster teamwork.

• • • All About Me Posters. Ask students to create posters that showcase their interests, hobbies, family, and favorite things. Provide art supplies and encourage creativity. Once completed, have each student present their poster to the class. You can even display the posters around the classroom to create a welcoming and personalized space.

• • • Time Capsule. Have students bring in or create items that represent their current interests, goals, and predictions for the school year. Place these items in a box and seal it as a time capsule to be opened at the end of the year. This activity can help students reflect on their growth and changes over the school year.

• • • Classroom Agreements or Constitution. Work with students to create a set of classroom rules and agreements. Discuss what kind of environment they want and how they can achieve it. Write down these agreements on a large poster and have each student sign it. This promotes a sense of community and shared responsibility.

• • • Goal Setting and Vision Boards. Encourage students to set personal and academic goals for the year. Provide materials for them to create vision boards that visually represent their goals and aspirations. Display these boards in the classroom and revisit them periodically to track progress and celebrate achievements.

• • • Getting-to-Know-You Bingo. Create bingo cards with different fun facts or experiences (e.g., "Has a pet," "Has traveled to another country," "Loves to read"). Students must find classmates who match each square and have them sign it. This interactive game helps students learn about each other in a fun and engaging way.

• • • Mystery Reader. Invite a mystery guest (e.g., a parent, community member, or another teacher) to read a story to the class. Provide clues about the reader's identity leading up to the visit to build excitement. This activity fosters a love of reading and brings a sense of surprise and curiosity to the classroom.

• • • Class Mascot or Stuffed Animal. Introduce a class mascot or stuffed animal that will accompany the class throughout the year. Allow students to take turns bringing the mascot home for the weekend and documenting their adventures in a journal. This tradition promotes responsibility, creativity, and a sense of belonging.

These traditions can create a positive and engaging classroom environment, helping students feel excited and connected from the start of the school year.

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