Back to School Pineapple Bulletin Board

Develop more CONFIDENT student leaders who build a POSITIVE community filled with respect by sharing these 3 POWERFUL LIFE LESSONS with your class!

Whether it's the beginning of the school year or the end of the year, using the Pineapple Poem as a metaphor is a great way to teach important life lessons to your students!  My advice is to chunk this up into digestible bites for your class.  Read on to find out more about the pineapple-themed life lessons I share with my class to help them develop into better leaders.

Pineapple Life Lesson #1: Good Vibes Only!

I'm a big believer in the power of STAYING POSITIVE!  Each school year, I love building class community and relationships off this idea of GOOD VIBES ONLY!  I say, life's too short to go through it as a grouch - lighten up and be aware of your energy!  Before my obsession with pineapples, I used the "smart cookie" metaphor, and I would frequently remind, "You can't be a smart cookie with a crumbly attitude."  Basically, you can't grow & get better at something if you choose to stay in your fixed mindset and just complain & groan.  Positive energy raises the vibe up and keeps your emotions happy and the stress level light.  Instead of freaking out, I teach my students to stay calm & focus on the positive.  This isn't just a school strategy, but an applicable lesson for life!

Pineapple Life Lesson #2: Stand Tall

It's a fact of life, not everyone is going to be your biggest fan in life.  In fact, you will run into your fair share of haters.  (The kids always giggle when I use this term, but it's the best word for me to get the message across.)  It is important to remain resilient and STAND TALL: not giving up or quitting when the going gets tough.  Don't let the haters bring you down to their level and turn it into a war of low-blows, but be the BIGGER person.  I remind them, you can't control other people's thoughts, feelings, or opinions - all you have control over are TWO things in this world: YOUR attitude and YOUR actions!  Don't let someone tear you down with their hurtful comments.  

Often, the best medicine you can show that person is to RISE UP and go on with your day minding your own business & staying HAPPY WITH YOURSELF (all while showing kindness and not being mean in retaliation because SECRETLY they are trying to STEAL your HAPPINESS. If your emotions show you're sad or mad, it means they won and you just lost.)  This is also a good time to briefly touch on bullying - this word is so overused and confused and misunderstood.  So, I find it's easier for me to clear up these misconceptions early on. Often times, kids overreact and think one act of unkindness means that someone is bullying them.  Repeated and intentional acts to pick on someone over a consistent basis is how bullying is different than a single, senseless act.

Pineapple Life Lesson #3: Be TOUGH on the outside, but SWEET on the INSIDE!  

This lesson is the perfect follow-up to the previous lesson on Stand Tall.  Having tough skin like the protective skin of a pineapple is important to protect your brain from believing the untrue comments your haters will tell you.  It truly helps you protect your happiness to realize that you are in control of your emotions and STOP giving that power to others.  Being sweet, like the tasty fruit found inside the pineapple, is just a way to remind you to show kindness to others.  We are in this world to make it a better place, and we do that by sharing love to each other.  Kids often connect this idea easily to the "Golden Rule" or "Do the Right Thing Even When No One is Watching." 

How do I keep these pineapple LIFE LESSONS on my students' mind?  

I post a Pineapple Welcome Board outside my classroom that students pass by each morning before they greet me at the door.  In addition to the kids delighting in seeing their very own name on the pineapple outside our door because it adds to a sense of belonging, I also keep the Pineapple Poem posted on this bulletin board as well.  Additionally, I typically ask an applicable question during read alouds or novel discussion about a character.  Was The BFG doing a good job of standing tall when his giant brothers picked on him for his small size?  Tell your partner 2 ways you know the BFG is someone who stays sweet on the inside.  This easy strategy can be used with any character traits program your school may follow, or the one you've chosen to be your own class theme!

 

This clipart by Prettygrafik had me at A-LO-HA!  When I saw it was on sale, it was an even SWEETER deal!  I knew it was the perfect way to give my best-selling Editable Pineapple Welcome Bulletin Board a makeover for the back to school season!  If you're curious to see what the original design looked like, click here.

Stay Sweet & Stand Tall🍍 this School Year!

Growth Mindset Bulletin Board Kit (Meet the Teacher FREEBIE)

I am going to start implementing Growth Mindset into my classroom this year and can't wait to see the benefit on my students' motivation levels.  Aside from my basic understanding that the brain is plastic and we want to teach students to move from a FIXED mindset to a GROWTH mindset, I really wanted to learn more so I signed up for a free webinar by Create-abilities!  I can't wait to put what I learn into practice with my new class this year!  Black & gold / all things bling are totally my style so that's what you'll see represented in the look of these posters!

In my excitement to get this going, I decided to make some festive posters to create a Growth Mindset Bulletin Board.  The great thing about the placement of this bulletin board, is that everyday when the kids walk in, it's in their direct line of sight.  Also, when I am standing at the SMARTboard or WHITEboard giving direct instruction, it's in my direct line of sight.  That way, it reminds me to make these important connections for the students as they are learning!

As promised, I have made a special freebie available for download on TpT for you to set a GREAT first impression on Meet the Teacher Night.  Grab the FREE PRINTABLE by clicking the image below!

This CLASS is ONE in a MELON! (1st Week of School Bulletin Board)

So I have this GREAT idea for a first week of school bulletin board!  It's going to say "This CLASS is ONE in a MELON!"  All the kids will have taken a picture with my yet to be made soon-to-be-made watermelon paper plate prop or EASY print & go prop available HERE. 

The picture will accompany a paragraph of writing that tells what makes each kiddo, "ONE in a MELON!"  I've included an exemplar to help all my students be successful.  And, let's be honest, most kids need all the help they can get in those first couple of days back from summer break!  To help get ideas flowing, there's also a writing frame included which is perfect for younger grades and I know it is just what my struggling writers & ELL students need.  The final copy provides room for the student picture & it's even EDITABLE, so you can insert the image & type their name in ALL AT ONCE!

 Did I mention that I'm SO proud of myself because I actually designed the watermelon props myself using PowerPoint shapes?  Obviously, I am not going to become a clipart designer anytime soon, I would most likely need PhotoShop, but I thought the heart-shaped seeds were a cute touch to the #uplift theme I want to implement in my class this year!

I also had fun putting my title for my Watermelon Bulletin Board together.  I just printed out the pages I needed, cut & glued onto a black poster board I had at home.  When teachers report back to my school in just 5 days, I'll have the secretary laminate it for me.  That way I can use it again next year! (If that's not your style, there are OTHER title options, including banners - 2 images below) 

There aren't any pics with student work yet because I haven't started the school year with students. It will be done either the 2nd or 3rd day of school since I PLAN to have it on display for parents to admire for Curriculum Night which is now oh-so-easily called, "Parent Teacher Connect Night" at my school!🤣  

Click the pic below to follow my INSTA so you'll be the first to see how my bulletin board comes to FRUITION with ACTUAL student work!

Also, I just finished reading Part III of Ron Clark's "The End of Molasses Classes" and he gave a good tip on how to improve students' abilities to speak in public settings which included giving them a LEAD role as they guide/give their parents a tour during Curriculum Night.

 I WANT to implement this, but not sure if it's too much of an undertaking to prep the students beforehand... we shall see!

Be a Pineapple! (Welcome Bulletin Board)

I have always had a LOVE for all things PINEAPPLE!  So, as I was preparing for back-to-school last year, I whipped up some pineapple name tags to become my welcome display board.  This board is located next to the entrance door out in the hall and stays up all year with the names of all the students in my class! 
I UPDATED the clipart & font style used on 7-10-19 (pineapples now look like those in the bottom image)!

Growing up in the 90s, I fondly remember my sister and I getting these adorable Dole pineapple stuffed toys.  I had a surfer boy pineapple wearing shades & holding a surfboard.  My sister had the beach girl pineapple accessorized with a purse and hula skirt. I was able to find some pics of these Piney Pals on ebay.  Did anyone else have these?  So, basically these cuties were my inspiration!

After typing in the student names, I just cut with my paper cutter (I guess you could cut out the shape of the pineapple, but let's be real - ain't nobody got time for that!), and then laminated before posting.

If you'd like to use the same clothespins as me for your bulletin board, I found some miniature white clips at Michael's.  You should be able to find it with their scrapbooking brand, Recollections.  After securing enough rows of twine (or ribbon) to your board, these name tags clip on easily to complete the display!

What I love about these pineapples is they're so happy, not to mention the kiddoz loved them too! Bring the joy and kindness of these pineapples into your classroom by clicking the image below:

 P.S. I'm linking up with Tara at 4th Grade Frolics for her #MadeItMonday posts - she's got the tropical vibe going on too - go check it out!! :) ... AND...
Happy Summer!

My Dream (A Martin Luther King Inspired Bulletin Board)

We our blessed to enjoy a 3-day weekend in honor of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Some people end up commemorating this day as day to complete acts of community service.  Many cities throw parades.  I am grateful for the people who worked so diligently to open the future to a better society for us through the Civil Rights Movement!

This year, I taught my class about Martin Luther King, Jr. with the following videos:
*Kid President
*Flocabulary
*BrainPop
To teach the concepts of current global injustices the students may not be aware of, I discussed & showed this video on 62 Million Girls aimed at making sure girls without access to education are given the ability to get an education.  Michelle Obama has a program called "Let Girls Learn" and Malala's efforts are called "Girl Rising."

"The time is always right to do what is right." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

After building enough background on this important leader, I used this great & FREE template by Jodi at Fun-in-First for my bulletin board.

 

I teach at a Leader in Me school so I assigned the students a homework assignment in which they were required to teach a parent/guardian about Habit 8 (Find Your Voice and Inspire Others to Find Theirs).  Then, they were to dig deeper and discover a time when their parent/guardian took a stand or stood up for an injustice by using Habit 8.  Finally, the student wrote their own "Dream" to solve an injustice in the world.  I collected the papers and revised/edited before they published onto the free cloud template from Fun-in-First.

After writing their final copies neatly on the reduced size clouds (75% of the original size), they cut it out and glued down on the top left corner of their turquoise signed name background papers.  If you'd like to use this template, click the image above.  Also, make sure you have the font: KG Eyes Wide Open installed.  Lastly, the students cut & glue a picture of themselves to the bottom right corner.

  If you need something to post beside your bulletin board, you may use the photo above if  you are a Habits or Leader in Me school!

Wayne Ford has created an infographic focusing on Martin Luther King Jr and some of his famous quotes.  This is another great visual to share with your students as you help to build background!

Writing ONE WORD Visions to INSPIRE in the New Year!

Keep a simple resolution by choosing a one-word focus for the year!  It's a pretty simple concept really, just pick a word that helps you to achieve a certain goal (i.e. relax, family-time, fitness, unplugged, etc.)  For personal use, just write it out on a square sticky note and place it on your laptop or somewhere you'll see in your office.  Make it look nice by adding some artistic detail and relevant illustrations and/or doodles.

If you're a techie, type it up in a handwritten font and add images of your choice.  Why not set it as your desktop wallpaper?  Throughout the year, just silently visualizing or saying the word to yourself will help put it at the forefront of your mind, and I'm positive you'll be more motivated to achieve your goal!  Scroll down to see how my students were able to write one word visions for their New Year Resolutions!

 Here's a look at how a student vision square turned out:

To introduce this activity, we talked about how the beginning of each year is a time a lot of people think about what they want to do during the upcoming year.  Perhaps, they have goals they want to achieve.

Maybe, there's a certain action or hobby they want to improve at during the new year.
Or, like vision boards, maybe there's a desired travel destination to go during the new year!

After brainstorming a list of ideas together as a class and giving examples of how to narrow down a typical kid resolution.  For example, we determined that, "being nicer to my brother or sister" turned into a one word vision would be, "kindness."

In my class, I use an Instagram-themed bulletin board called Leadergram because I tie it in with the Habits for our Leadership classroom.  All the students received a square piece of computer paper.  My headline reads: "2017 vision words to help us 'Begin with the End in Mind!'" because it gives us a purpose on our year-long journey.

Then, I had my students use the sentence starter, "________'s word for 2017 is ________"

The one word vision was supposed to be larger than the rest of the words, bolded (so it would stand out) and then, I suggested they add pictures and/or color to decorate their square papers.

So what's my one word vision this year?  I chose organization!  I feel like I'm always saving binders but never have sat down to take the time to setup and organize all my binders. I can't wait to reduce all the clutter of papers I have through organization this year!  Here's to a more inspired and organized year!

Inspiring Leaders with Leadergram! (Leader in Me Bulletin Board)

Update 8-13-2016: I just made my Leadergram Bulletin Board resource available for download here.  It will be sure to add plenty of leadership swag to your class!

In addition to the Leadergram board set, you'll also be able to decorate with banners like me! 

* Original Post * 

 This is my 4th year teaching at a Leader in Me school.  Yet, this was the first year I've really embraced and explicitly taught Habit 8: Find Your Voice, and Inspire Others to Find Theirs.

While working on growing students' inner voices, I had an epiphany to connect our study of "Leaders of Change" with student artwork and/or photos displayed in an Instagram-style.   POOF!  Leadergram was born!!

 To prep, all I did was gather tagboard (the only cardstock I had on hand in the classroom) and then I cut them into squares.  Since my tagboard was only 9 inches wide, I had to cut 4.5x4.5 squares.

 Next, I posed the question to students:  What do you think "Leaders of Change" look like?  I emphasized there is no one "right" or "wrong" response because our earlier discussions have solidified the idea that anyone can be a leader.

 Some students drew ordinary kids helping out.  The student above connected to the text we're currently reading, The Hope Chest.  This story focuses on the issue of women not having an equal right to vote in America until 1920, so my artistically-talented student drew a Suffragist in action.

 Others took a traditional approach and represented an American hero as a "Leader of Change!"  Two weeks later, the students and I were ready to update our Leadergram board with a new post.  This time they had to illustrate a motivational quote that would inspire them to become a "Leader of Change."

 First, we watched a couple of Kid President videos calling the world into action.  Kid President is hilarious and my class just loves him! Then, we brainstormed a list of quotes that sparked a desire to make a positive change.  I shared how Mahatma Gandhi's quote, "Be the change you wish to see in this world," really resonated with me because it puts the purpose of life in perspective for me.

For our second post, I experimented with lined notebook paper because I find drawings made by children look really endearing on lined paper for whatever reason.  And I figured, lines couldn't hurt if they would need to write inspirational quotes, anyway!.