Colorful Connection Circles

Time: 7 minutes
Materials Needed:
- Printable circle templates in 6 distinct colors (e.g., red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple)
- Cardstock (to print on) and scissors
- (Optional) Small basket or tray to hold circles before distribution

Prep:
- Print one circle per student; aim for an even distribution across the six colors.
- Cut out circles and mix them in a basket or tray so distribution is random.

Procedure:
1. Hand each student one circle from Colorful Connection Circles.
2. On your signal, students stand up and find peers holding the same color circle. When they find their group, they introduce themselves and share one favorite back-to-school memory.
3. After 3 minutes, ring a bell or give a visual cue. Students swap circles with two classmates so everyone now has a new color.
4. Repeat the matching and sharing process one more time so students connect with new peers.

Variation / Extension:
- Instead of back-to-school memories, have students share one goal for the year or one word describing how they want to feel in this classroom.
- For larger classes, use more colors or repeat three rotations for deeper connections.

Expectation Brainstorm Carousel

Time: 15 minutes
Materials: Chart paper at 4 stations, sticky notes, colored markers, timer or bell

Setup (Teacher)

• Place four chart-paper stations around the room and label them:
  1. Safety
  2. Respect
  3. Participation
  4. Growth
• At each station, write the station name and the main prompt in large letters.
• Provide a stack of sticky notes and markers at each station.
• Divide students into 4 equal groups and assign each group a starting station.

Procedure

1. Explain the purpose: “We’ll rotate through four stations to brainstorm expectations for our classroom under different themes. Keep our chosen season vibe in mind!”
2. Set the timer for 3 minutes. Groups discuss the prompt at their station, writing one idea per sticky note and posting it on the chart paper.
3. At the signal (bell or timer), each group rotates clockwise to the next station, adding new ideas or building on others’ notes.
4. Continue rotations until all groups have visited every station (4 rotations total).

Station Prompts & Space for Ideas

1. Safety

What classroom routines, behaviors, or signals will help everyone feel physically and emotionally safe?

2. Respect

How can we show respect for each other, our materials, and our learning space every day?

3. Participation

What actions or habits will help everyone actively participate, listen, and share ideas?

4. Growth

How will we support each other’s growth—celebrate successes, learn from mistakes, and stay motivated?

Debrief & Follow-Up (8 minutes)

1. Invite each station to share their top 2–3 sticky-note ideas with the whole class.
2. As teacher, cluster similar ideas on a larger chart and label emerging themes.
3. Ask:
   • “Which ideas connect with our chosen season vibe?”
   • “What surprised you about our brainstorm?”
   • “Which expectation is most important to you, and why?”
4. Narrow down together to key expectations for the Vibe Vision Roadmap.

Use this carousel output to craft our Vibe Pledge Poster in the next activity!

Vibe Pledge Poster

Time: 10 minutes
Materials: Vibe Pledge Poster template, colored markers or pencils

Our Top Classroom Expectations

Write the five key expectations we agreed on as a class:

My Personal Vibe Pledge

I pledge to uphold our classroom vibe by:

• ____________________________________________________
  
  
  
  
  
  

Drawing Our Season Vibe

Use colors and symbols to illustrate our chosen season vibe in the box below:

Signature

I promise to do my best to make our classroom vibe positive and supportive all year long.

Signed: ____________________________ Date: ____________