How many teachers have heard the following phrases from their students?
“This is hard.”
“I can’t do it.”
“It doesn’t make sense,”
I can have countless lessons and discussions about having a growth mindset, but I still hear those words from my class! I have a beautifully colored anchor chart in the front of my classroom that has fixed mindset words turned into growth mindset words, but if something has been posted in your room for a while, it starts to blend in with everything else! I started thinking of other ways that I could remind my students to think positively when they need it most. Something they could have at their desk perhaps…
Positive Pyramids
Because I love alliteration and my creative mind was at work, the word “positive pyramids” popped into my head! My students love keeping little trinkets at their individual desks, so how fun would it be to have them MAKE something to keep at their desks? I designed the template and was ready to try it out! First, we brainstormed ideas of what short phrases they would want to write on their pyramids that would remind them to stay positive. Then, we got to work building them!
How to Make Them
Materials:
- Positive Pyramid Template (You can download it for free in my TpT store)
- Scissors
- Glue and/or tape (I recommend both!)
- Markers, crayons, or anything to decorate it with!
1. Review growth mindset and have students brainstorm ideas of positive phrases they want to see every day on their pyramid (ex: take deep breaths, you can do this, today is a good day).
2. Students can choose which phrases they like the most and write them in each triangle of their template. Make sure they are writing the phrase with the top point of each triangle facing up so when they make their pyramid, they will be able to read it. Then, they can decorate!
3. Cut out the whole template and fold each triangle up.
4. Glue the tabs and stick them behind each triangle. The last tab will be tricky, so I recommend tucking in the last tab and taping the last side together.
Students now have their very own Positive Pyramid! They can keep them at their desks at all times, or they can be put away until they are really needed like during a test. Whatever works!
The More, the Merrier Mindset!
Let’s be honest, you may only have one or two students that will keep their Positive Pyramids in mint condition. Kudos to them! If students have kept them at their desks at all times, they will most likely end up on the floor at some point and stepped on. I just say “It’s okay. They are still positive!” However, if they become torn beyond repair, make them again with a whole new set of growth mindset phrases! They could also make one for another classmate and do an exchange!
If you would like to always start your day on a positive note with meaningful conversations or journal prompts, be sure to check out my bundle of Morning Meeting Slides for the ENTIRE school year!
Check out my TpT store for more activities to teach Social Emotional Learning in your classroom!
