To celebrate or not to celebrate?
That is a seriously hard question.
I mean, of course we WANT our students to feel special and unique, and what better opportunity for that than a birthday?
But there are so gosh darn many of them.
Luckily, there are ways you can celebrate each student without breaking the bank or going crazy. You don't need to bring cake or decorate their desk with balloons and confetti (yes, I have heard of teachers who do that. Kudos to you, but no thanks.)
Here are ten simple ways to show students you care about them on their special day:
1. JAMMIN'
A few days before the birthday (or at the start of the year), ask students for their favorite song. Blast the song before and after the bell. Teenagers get way pumped with music--they'll be dancing through the door!
Depending on the class, maybe talk to your students at the start of the year about the importance of never insulting anyone's birthday song. Just in case, 'cause let's be real--kids can be jerks sometimes.
2. HOMEWORK PASS
Hey, it's practical.
3. BIRTHDAY SONG TRADITION
Everyone does "Happy Birthday." Switch it up! Classroom traditions lead to better community.
I had a teacher who let students stand in their chair as everyone sang to them (though some of the shy ones chose not to). I knew another who let her kids chant "Cha cha cha!" after every line of "Happy Birthday."
Do you know a less popular birthday song that your kids would enjoy learning? The more obnoxious, the better. And hand motions are always a plus.
4. SEAT COVER
All you need is felt, marker, and a teensy bit of artistic ability. Maybe some hot glue. Make it once, and you're set for the rest of the year!
Place the fun seat cover over the birthday student's desk so everyone knows to treat them well that day.
5. COMPLIMENTS
Our words mean more to our students than we realize. At the start of class, share a unique and sincere compliment to the birthday student. If you have a good classroom environment, pick on three more students to share compliments of their own!
6. SPECIAL OBJECT
Find a SUPER fluffy stuffed animal that kids can only hold on their birthday. Even older students will laugh at this silly tradition. Name the animal, and make a big show of presenting it to them at the start of class.
For example, I present to you, Steve the Birthday Sloth:
Oh, and he'd be so cute with a little birthday hat! Isn't there something therapeutic about fluffy stuffed animals?
Warning: In some classes, you might need to set a rule that ONLY the birthday student can touch the animal. Otherwise, this could be a big distraction.
7. TREATS
If sweets are your love language, give 'em sweets! If you are extra diligent, make a list at the start of the year of everyone's favorite candy bar or snack. Place the goody on their chairs before they come in as a fun surprise.
Or just do Starbursts for everyone 'cause, you know, less effort.
8. PIZZA DAY
If you want to celebrate several birthdays at once in a more personal way, invite the students who have birthdays that month to stop by your classroom for a piece of pizza on the first Friday of the month. Invite them to stay as long as they want!
Consider a possible setback: some students might be absent from school on the pizza day. Maybe save their piece in the fridge.
How do YOU celebrate your students' birthdays? Tell us in the comments!
That is a seriously hard question.
I mean, of course we WANT our students to feel special and unique, and what better opportunity for that than a birthday?
But there are so gosh darn many of them.
Luckily, there are ways you can celebrate each student without breaking the bank or going crazy. You don't need to bring cake or decorate their desk with balloons and confetti (yes, I have heard of teachers who do that. Kudos to you, but no thanks.)
Here are ten simple ways to show students you care about them on their special day:
1. JAMMIN'
A few days before the birthday (or at the start of the year), ask students for their favorite song. Blast the song before and after the bell. Teenagers get way pumped with music--they'll be dancing through the door!
Depending on the class, maybe talk to your students at the start of the year about the importance of never insulting anyone's birthday song. Just in case, 'cause let's be real--kids can be jerks sometimes.
2. HOMEWORK PASS
Hey, it's practical.
3. BIRTHDAY SONG TRADITION
Everyone does "Happy Birthday." Switch it up! Classroom traditions lead to better community.
I had a teacher who let students stand in their chair as everyone sang to them (though some of the shy ones chose not to). I knew another who let her kids chant "Cha cha cha!" after every line of "Happy Birthday."
Do you know a less popular birthday song that your kids would enjoy learning? The more obnoxious, the better. And hand motions are always a plus.
4. SEAT COVER
All you need is felt, marker, and a teensy bit of artistic ability. Maybe some hot glue. Make it once, and you're set for the rest of the year!
Place the fun seat cover over the birthday student's desk so everyone knows to treat them well that day.
5. COMPLIMENTS
Our words mean more to our students than we realize. At the start of class, share a unique and sincere compliment to the birthday student. If you have a good classroom environment, pick on three more students to share compliments of their own!
6. SPECIAL OBJECT
Find a SUPER fluffy stuffed animal that kids can only hold on their birthday. Even older students will laugh at this silly tradition. Name the animal, and make a big show of presenting it to them at the start of class.
For example, I present to you, Steve the Birthday Sloth:
Oh, and he'd be so cute with a little birthday hat! Isn't there something therapeutic about fluffy stuffed animals?
Warning: In some classes, you might need to set a rule that ONLY the birthday student can touch the animal. Otherwise, this could be a big distraction.
7. TREATS
If sweets are your love language, give 'em sweets! If you are extra diligent, make a list at the start of the year of everyone's favorite candy bar or snack. Place the goody on their chairs before they come in as a fun surprise.
Or just do Starbursts for everyone 'cause, you know, less effort.
8. PIZZA DAY
If you want to celebrate several birthdays at once in a more personal way, invite the students who have birthdays that month to stop by your classroom for a piece of pizza on the first Friday of the month. Invite them to stay as long as they want!
Consider a possible setback: some students might be absent from school on the pizza day. Maybe save their piece in the fridge.
How do YOU celebrate your students' birthdays? Tell us in the comments!
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