Back to school is a crucial time for setting the tone of your classroom. It's the perfect opportunity to establish routines, introduce classroom rules, and create a positive culture that will last throughout the year. But how do you do this without making your students feel like they're just being told what to do? The answer lies in engaging them in a fun and meaningful way—through the power of storytelling and role-playing!
One effective approach is to use the book Think Big by Rashda Munawar, a delightful story that helps children understand the power of their thoughts. The book introduces Maria, a young girl navigating her first day of grade 1, who hears two voices in her head: Mr. Big, representing a positive mindset, and Mr. Small, representing a negative mindset. This concept can be seamlessly integrated into your classroom to help students internalize important rules and behaviors without feeling like they’re simply following orders.
Step 1: Introduce Think Big on the First Day
Start your first day by reading Think Big to your class. Gather your students in a circle, and let them dive into Maria’s world. As they listen, they’ll meet Mr. Big and Mr. Small and see how Maria overcomes her fears and challenges by listening to the positive voice of Mr. Big.
This story sets the stage for discussions about how we all have moments of doubt (Mr. Small) and how we can choose to listen to our positive thoughts (Mr. Big) instead. It’s a gentle introduction to the idea of mindset, which is crucial for building a supportive classroom environment.
Step 2: Engage Students with Role-Playing Activities
Once your students are familiar with Maria, Mr. Big, and Mr. Small, it's time to bring the lesson to life through role-playing. This is where the real magic happens—students get to practice scenarios that teach them the classroom rules and routines in a fun and interactive way.
Scenario Cards for Role-Playing: Create scenario cards based on common school situations that align with your classroom rules. For example, one card might describe a situation where a student needs to ask for help, while another might cover the importance of sharing supplies or including others in group activities.
During the role-play, assign students to different roles: one plays the main character, one embodies Mr. Big, and another takes on Mr. Small. As they act out the scenario, the student playing Mr. Small might voice doubts or fears, while Mr. Big encourages the main character to make positive choices.
Example Scenario: Imagine a scenario where a student is nervous about asking for help in class. Mr. Small might say, “Don’t ask! The other kids might think you’re not smart.” But Mr. Big responds, “Asking questions is how you learn. Your teacher is here to help you!” The main character then decides to raise their hand and ask for help, reinforcing the classroom rule of seeking assistance when needed.
These role-plays not only reinforce the concept of a positive mindset but also naturally teach students the expectations of the classroom. They’re learning the rules, but because they’re actively involved in the scenarios, it feels more like a game than a lesson. This makes the rules feel less like something imposed and more like something they’ve discovered on their own.
Step 3: Create a “Think Big” Classroom Culture
After the role-playing activity, take time to discuss the scenarios as a class. Ask your students which voice—Mr. Big or Mr. Small—helped the most and why. This discussion helps them reflect on the importance of choosing a positive mindset in different situations.
To solidify this culture, consider creating a “Think Big” wall in your classroom. This can be a space where students post sticky notes with examples of when they’ve listened to Mr. Big in their daily activities. Over time, this wall will serve as a visual reminder of the positive behaviors you want to cultivate.
Step 4: Reinforce Throughout the Year
Setting the tone on the first day is just the beginning. Continue to refer back to Think Big and the Mr. Big and Mr. Small characters throughout the year. Whenever a challenge arises, you can ask students, “What would Mr. Big say in this situation?” This simple question reinforces the mindset and helps maintain the positive culture you’ve worked to establish.
Additionally, you can introduce new scenario cards as different challenges or situations arise in your classroom. This keeps the learning dynamic and allows students to continuously practice positive behaviors.
Help Is on the Way: A Ready-to-Use Lesson Plan
To make it even easier for you to implement these ideas in your classroom, I’ve created a detailed, step-by-step lesson plan complete with scenario cards. This resource is available on my Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) account and is designed to guide you through the entire process of setting up a positive classroom culture from day one.
Conclusion: Learning the Rules Through Fun and Engagement
By using Think Big as a foundational tool for setting classroom routines and culture, you’re helping your students internalize important life skills in a fun and engaging way. They’re not just memorizing rules; they’re experiencing them through the eyes of Maria and the voices of Mr. Big and Mr. Small. This approach not only makes the first day of school enjoyable but also sets the stage for a year filled with positive thinking, collaboration, and growth.
So, as you prepare for your first day back in the classroom, consider how Think Big can help you create an environment where students are excited to follow the rules—because they’ve learned them through their own experiences and with a little help from Mr. Big! And don’t forget to check out the full lesson plan on my TPT account to get started.
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