Community+Buiding

=**Creative, Innovative, and Interesting Ideas and Activities to Build Communi**ty=


 * 1) ====The whole school participates in a Walk-A-Thon - This creates community throughout the entire school, students and staff, and is age appropriate for every grade level====
 * 2) ====Having the 5th Graders come and read to Kindergarten, 1st Grade, and 2nd Grade throughout the year====
 * 3) ====[[image:http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N0qTxNnfidk/TlhlxBKIwnI/AAAAAAAABEo/Va8da1-zuWI/s1600/IMG_1496.JPG width="623" height="827"]]Have a different question each day to get students thinking about their role in the classroom.====
 * 4) [[image:http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NUv6KN0v4iE/UfXYuFVdc8I/AAAAAAAAAu4/CHjH_0Y1By0/s1600/IMG_1375.jpg width="248" height="319"]]"Students work in groups to squeeze an entire tube of toothpaste out as fast as they can on to the paper plate. Then, the next task is to take the toothpicks and try to get as much toothpaste as possible back in. I maybe give them 10-15 minutes before they realize that they aren't getting it back in. That's when we have a discussion about words. I let them have an open discussion about words or phrases that have been said to them that have hurt them. I write all of the acceptable words and phrases on the board (and if an inappropriate one comes up, I don't freak out, I just tell them that the word is so hurtful that I can't even write it on the board). Then I take a step away from the board and say, "Students, these are toothpaste words. When I asked you to squeeze the toothpaste, it was like the words that sometimes come out of your mouth, some of which are hurtful. Then I asked you to put those words back in and what happened?" Students will recognize that they can't take the words back and a discussion begins about how carefully we should choose our words, even when we are angry." (Mrs. O "knows") http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?post=1458731125&group=0&frame_type=b&blog=3770934 link=aHR0cDovL3d3dy50ZWFjaGluZ3N1cGVycG93ZXIuY29tLzIwMTMvMDgvY2xhc3Nyb29tLWNvbW11bml0eS1idWlsZGluZy5odG1s&frame=1&click=0&user=0
 * 5) [[image:http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/82/64/54/826454cd738837a7bf4238f1f46eb5d6.jpg width="185" height="242"]]We did this activity in my Second Grade classroom and had all of the students sign their name on the heart as their pledge to think before they speak. It hangs above the board all year to continuously remind them.
 * 6) On the first day of class have students get in pairs and create a Venn Diagram. " Students compare and contrast themselves with a new friend by recording personal facts in each section of the chart. I especially like this activity because students often have to dig a little to find things they have in common. After they complete their charts, they flip the papers over and write a paragraph about their new friend. Again, this has students practicing so many important skills (listening, writing, turn-taking). It also allows me to informally assess their writing ability" (Ms. Fultz's Corner)
 * 7) A fun and active first day of school activity is the Human Knot game. Students grab each others hands to form a knot and then must untangle themselves without letting go. This makes students work together and lets them get to know each other better.
 * 8) ==== [[image:http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/46/15/7c/46157c9b1a1e511dc3561dede1eaa7d7.jpg width="175" height="175"]] Students must listen and work together. This can also be done with numbers and math problems.====
 * 9) ====Students have a chart that has different things in each box that they must find one person who fits the box to sign, no person can sign more than once. Boxes in the chart included things like "can play an instrument" "has flew on a plane" and "has an older brother".====
 * 10) ====Balloon-Pop Game is where strips of paper with questions on them are put inside balloons, the students get to pick a balloon and answer the question about themselves for everyone to hear====
 * 11) ====[[image:http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ef/2d/77/ef2d7718ce7518424eab5f89c5e984fb.jpg]]This a great activity to get to know the kids and get them to know each other while having fun.====