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Smile Box generates stories and connection
I TEACH GRADE 6 ONLINE for my division this year.
When I was teaching in class, we had a “Smile Box” where kids could leave uplifting notes to others in the class. Then, every Friday, we would congregate to share the notes with each other. This also turned into some storytelling as the notes often had a story behind them.
Teaching online, I created a “Smile Box” class in my Google Classroom where the kids can make uplifting posts. We have had beautifully created slide presentations, videos, family pictures, drawings, songs … it has turned out to be a real connection maker online as well! The kids always tell me when they have posted a smile, looking forward to our sharing time.
My division allows kids to transfer in or out of online learning on a quarterly basis. The kids moving out have asked if I could keep them in our Smile Box classroom. I have. They still post wonderfully uplifting words. Sometimes it is simply a hello and I miss you! But whatever any of my kids leave in the posts, it puts a smile in everyone’s hearts!
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