Building Classroom Rapport: Start 2024 on a Positive Note!
As educators, we understand the importance of starting each school year on the right foot, especially when it comes to building rapport with our students. As we step into 2024, we have an opportunity to create a classroom environment that fosters mutual respect, understanding, and a sense of community. One effective way to achieve this is through engaging, student-led projects. Not only are student-led projects a low-stakes opportunity for students to get back into the routine of school after being away on winter break, but it is also beneficial for educators who need a low-prep transition into January.
One of the activities I am most looking forward to doing this January is a 2023 year-in-review in which students use GoogleSlides to answer engaging and relevant prompts are their experiences this past year. My resource ‘Spill the Tea: 2023 in Rewind’ is an easy, low prep but high engagement way to ease students (and myself) back to school!
Convenience and Engagement all 2024! ‘Spill the Tea: 2023 in Rewind’
This ready-to-use, Google Slides-based resource is designed to minimize preparation time for teachers, making it an extremely convenient tool. With 30 pre-made slides, each featuring unique prompts that span a range of topics, educators can easily assign this project. The flexibility and relevance of the prompts ensure that every student finds something that resonates with them, allowing for diverse perspectives and experiences to be shared. Prompts range from school experiences to social and pop culture experiences, to personal and familial experiences. Students can upload their own photos or use Google images to find ideas that represent their answers.
Starting 2024 with Reflection and Creativity
Using “Spill the Tea: 2023 in Rewind” as a kick-off activity in January offers multiple benefits. First, it allows students to reflect on the previous year creatively. By responding to prompts with photos from 2023, students engage in a meaningful reflection, capturing both significant global events and personal memories. This blend of personal and world perspectives serves as a powerful tool for students to connect with each other and the larger world they are a part of.
Student-Led Learning: Empowerment and Expression
Student-led projects like this encourage autonomy and expression. Students take the lead in choosing their photos and articulating their thoughts, which fosters a sense of ownership and pride in their work. This autonomy is crucial in developing self-confidence and independence in learners. Moreover, by sharing their slides, students get a platform to express themselves and an opportunity to learn about their peers, building empathy and understanding within the classroom.
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Aspects
“Spill the Tea: 2023 in Rewind” leans heavily into SEL. The prompts encourage students to reflect on their emotions, challenges, and achievements. This reflection is a key component of SEL, as it allows students to process their experiences and develop a deeper understanding of themselves and others. By sharing these reflections, students learn to communicate their feelings and experiences effectively, fostering an environment of openness and mutual respect.
Starting the new year with a project like “Spill the Tea: 2023 in Rewind” sets a tone of engagement, reflection, and community in your classroom. It’s not just a fun activity; it’s a bridge connecting students to each other and to the broader world they live in. As educators, our goal is to create learning environments where every student feels valued and understood—this resource is a step in that direction. So, let’s welcome 2024 with creativity, reflection, and a strong sense of community. “Spill the Tea: 2023 in Rewind” is your go-to resource for a memorable start to the new year.
For more New Year’s activities click here! Cheers To the New Year: Crafting Memorable Toasts (toobookedup.com)
