Creating an empathy-themed bulletin board for middle school students can be a powerful way to reinforce key social-emotional skills. One of the most effective resources for teaching empathy and communication is the Think It or Say It bulletin board. This activity helps specialists guide students in understanding the difference between thoughts they should think and words they should say. With this visually engaging and hands-on activity, students are empowered to think before they speak.
Using the Bulletin Board to Foster Empathy
Everyday Speech’s Think It or Say It activity is a straightforward way to teach students how to reflect on their words. This serves as a visual reminder of what’s appropriate to say versus what should stay internal. This clear separation helps students become more mindful of their words, promoting thoughtful communication and empathy in classroom discussions.
In the activity, students will write examples of respectful, positive phrases that are appropriate to “say” and create visuals for thoughts that should remain as “think it.” Displaying this in the classroom reminds students to reflect on their thoughts before speaking. The activity encourages students to categorize phrases under “Think It” or “Say It,” which not only reinforces appropriate communication but also instills empathy.
How to Use the Think It or Say It Bulletin Board Bundle
This activity bundle includes everything you need to create an engaging bulletin board with your students. As an educator, you can guide your students through the following steps:
- Prepare the Materials: The bundle includes printable pages for the bulletin board’s title, visuals (like a brain for “think it” and a mouth for “say it”), and customizable labels.
- Student Participation: After discussing the concept of thinking before speaking, have your students write down examples of both “Say It” and “Think It” phrases. Encourage them to reflect on times they’ve spoken without thinking or handled a situation with empathy.
- Create the Board: Once the students have written down their examples, cut out their contributions, and arrange them on the board. The activity encourages creativity as students illustrate what they’ve learned.
- Display Empathy: The completed bulletin board serves as an ongoing, visual reminder of the importance of thinking before speaking. Encourage your students to refer to it during classroom discussions, group projects, or any time they need a reminder to communicate with empathy.
A Whole Unit on Empathy and Communication
The Think It or Say It bulletin board is just one part of a broader empathy curriculum offered by Everyday Speech. As an educator, you have access to an extensive library of social-emotional learning materials that cover empathy, including video modeling lessons, interactive activities, worksheets, and visual posters. These resources work in tandem with the bulletin board activity to create a comprehensive approach to teaching empathy and mindful communication.
Empathy is a foundational skill for middle schoolers, especially as they navigate the complexities of social interactions. Everyday Speech’s video modeling lessons provide students with real-world examples of how to handle various social situations, and the interactive activities offer hands-on practice that reinforces these skills.
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Why Use Everyday Speech?
Everyday Speech’s SEL platform gives you access to hundreds of resources specifically designed to help students develop social communication skills. The Think It or Say It bulletin board is a versatile tool. The activity can be revisited throughout the year, ensuring that empathy and communication remain at the forefront of classroom culture.
Encouraging empathy among students can dramatically improve classroom dynamics, reducing conflict and fostering a positive learning environment. With our extensive library, you can create engaging lessons that equip students with the skills they need to communicate empathetically.
Conclusion
Incorporating the Think It or Say It activity is a simple yet impactful way to teach students about empathy. By encouraging them to reflect on their thoughts before speaking, you can create a classroom culture built on respect. The Empathy-Themed Bulletin Board for Middle School is a valuable resource that can be used throughout the school year.
Everyday Speech’s broader curriculum, which includes video modeling lessons, interactive activities, worksheets, and visual posters, complements this bulletin board activity. Empower your students to communicate with care and empathy with the help of Everyday Speech’s innovative SEL resources.
Sample Video
Students learn best by watching others their same-age model the behavior! Check out a sample video modeling lesson below. We offer our entire Social-Emotional Learning platform free for 14 days here!
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Navigating Middle School: Enhancing Social Skills Through Videos
Teaching Middle School Students to Stay Calm and Solve Problems
Promoting Mental Well-being: SEL Lessons for Middle School Students
