What an incredible journey we've been on together! In this episode, we reflect on the powerful foundation of belonging we've built and, most importantly, look ahead at how to sustain this vibrant culture throughout the entire school year.

Key Takeaways from this Episode:

• For Reflecting on the Journey:

• Understand the importance of individual reflection on the "First 10 Days" experience, using prompts to articulate feelings of belonging, pride, and hopes for the future.
• Learn how to create a final "Growth Chain" link to visibly represent personal growth in belonging.

• For Inclusive Celebration:

• Discover the critical need to understand what "celebration" means to all students, recognizing that not everyone views it as loud or noisy.

• Explore diverse celebration options, including "Shout-Outs" or Appreciation Circles, and flexible "Celebration Centers" that cater to varied preferences (e.g., quiet reflection, music, games).

• Learn how to incorporate student-chosen music via anonymous Padlets or shared playlists for truly inclusive celebrations.

• For Sustaining Belonging All Year (Connection to Hill Model & SEL):

• See how Day 10 activities culminate in profound Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) development, enhancing self-awareness, social awareness, relationship skills (through appreciation), and responsible decision-making.

• Understand how these practices align with the Hill Model's framework for Identity, Criticality, Skills, Joy, and Intellect, ensuring holistic student development beyond the initial days.

• For Impacting Learning (Connection to John Hattie):

• Learn how reflection supports Metacognitive Strategies and how "Shout-Outs" provide impactful Feedback.

• Discover how celebrating collective efforts boosts Collective Teacher Efficacy and strengthens Teacher-Student Relationships.

• Understand how articulating belonging contributes to higher Self-Efficacy and positive Self-Reported Grades/Student Expectations.

• Reflect on quotes from Maya Angelou and Stephen Covey about the lasting impact of feelings and prioritizing what truly matters.

In this episode, I mention:

• The "First 10 Days: Building a Welcoming and Respectful Classroom of Belonging" Resource Bundle

• FREE Day 1 Lesson Plan & Materials

• Individual Reflection Prompts (for journal/video)

• Growth Chain

• Shout-Outs / Appreciation Circle

• Celebration Centers

Ready to take action?

• Download your FREE Day 1 Lesson Plan here: customteachingsolutions.com/btsfree

• Explore the full "First 10 Days" Resource Bundle here: customteachingsolutions.com/btsbundle
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Reflection Questions for Educators:

• How will I gather student input on what "celebration" means to them to ensure an inclusive Day 10?

• What specific strategies will I commit to implementing consistently throughout the year to sustain belonging?

• How can I continue to encourage student reflection on their growth and sense of belonging beyond the first 10 days?

• What is one thing I will celebrate about my classroom community's journey this year?

Stay connected:

I would absolutely love to know how you are using these ideas in your classroom! What inspiration did you gain from this series? What activities resonated most with your students? Please don't hesitate to reach out and share your experiences.

• DM me on Instagram: @iteachcustom

• Connect with me on LinkedIn: Search for Custom Teaching Solutions

• Email: [email protected]

• Website: https://customteachingsolutions.com

Don't miss out on making this school year your most belonging-centered one yet!