Back-to-School Bundle for the Compassionate Classroom

The beginning of a new school year is an excellent time to establish a classroom culture that is inclusive of all living beings! Use the following resources included in our back-to-school bundle to get to know your students, set kind intentions for the year ahead, and promote compassionate classroom practices:

• ‘Like You, Only Different’ Personality Quiz and Nameplates Icebreaker Activity This fun, informative personality quiz will help your new students get to know each other better while building empathy for animals. After answering a few questions to determine which animal they’re most like, have students complete their nameplate, which includes fun facts about their animal, and tape it to their desk.
• Kindness Pledge This pledge will inspire students to share the world with animals and each other. It’s the perfect way to get kids thinking about how to be kind, stop bullying, protect the planet, and help others (including animals).
• Animal-Friendly Idioms Posters Many of us grew up hearing common phrases that perpetuate violence toward animals, such as “kill two birds with one stone,” “beat a dead horse,” and “bring home the bacon.” Teaching students to use animal-friendly language can cultivate positive relationships between all beings and help end the epidemic of youth violence toward animals—we like to call that "feeding two birds with one scone"! Display these posters in your classroom to remind students to always choose kind words when talking about animals.
• Insect Rescue Poster When students spot an insect or a spider in the classroom, call their attention to TeachKind’s Insect Rescue Poster. It illustrates, step by step, the procedure for catching and releasing an insect or a spider outdoors. Students will be exposed to the idea of showing acceptance, respect, and compassion for all living beings, including tiny ones they find indoors.