Autographs!

 One of the best parts of teaching is giving the students time to connect and build positive relationships with each other. One of the best ways to do this is through class builders. Autographs are always one of my favorites. I try to save this one for a time of year when the students know a lot about each other. 

For this activity, I start by having the students create their own nameplates. Then the fun part begins. The excitement builds in the room as I tape their nameplate sign to their back. Their mission is to go around the room and sign their name and write a true compliment to all of their classmates. This activity genuinely works and is meaningful to the students because we have talked about what a true compliment is. We have worked to get past simple surface-level compliments. 

The laughter, concentration, and overall joy the students experience as they work their way through the classroom will always be worth it. This is a great way to keep our classroom connected.