Character Bag
By Caroline Wyman
Objective: This first day of school activity will show tolerance, community building and other characteristics that are significant to building a happy classroom. Grades k-4
Initiation: Ask the class why it is important to be a part of the classroom. What makes you a good part of the class? What might make you a bad part of the classroom? Chart responses.
Development: Handout a box of crayons to each person and tell the class that the crayons signify each one of them. That they are a part of a set and that it doesn't matter what they look like. Have the older kids write it down on a piece of paper that can be folded up to put in their bag with all the items of significance. Hand out a gold star for everyone in the class is a star. Hand out a piece of wrapped candy to remind them that everyone should always use sweet words when speaking with your classmates. Handout a glue stick and tell everyone that they need to stick together and stick up for one another. Hand out an eraser and let them know that everyone makes mistakes and it is ok to make them. Hand out a small mirror for each of them and let them know that they should treat their classmates the way that they would like to be treated.
Closure: After the class writes down the significance of all the items they should fold it up and put it in a large ziplock where it should stay for the remainder of the year.
Materials: Ziplock bag, all of the significant items
Time: 30 minutes
Caroline Wyman has a degree in Sociology and a Masters in Elementary Education and is the administrator for TeacherNet.com.