As the end of the year approaches, you may be looking for ways to keep your students engaged, excited, and behaving their best. The December season brings joy and anticipation to students, but it also means managing that extra energy in the classroom! This is where a classroom elf can be a total game-changer.
Why Bring a Classroom Elf into Your Classroom?
Imagine this: each morning, your students walk into the room filled with wonder, looking to see what their classroom elf has left them. It could be a funny joke, a bit of praise for their good behavior, or a small classroom task like drawing a picture for Santa. With these daily notes, your elf becomes a magical part of your classroom that students look forward to every day.
Beyond the excitement, the elf is a clever way to encourage kindness, teamwork, and good listening. By leaving encouraging messages, reminding students about behavior expectations, or even offering small classroom activities, the elf becomes a positive influence that helps maintain order during this festive season. Plus, it’s the perfect way to keep students focused while they enjoy a bit of holiday magic.
Tips for Hosting a Classroom Elf:
- Introduce Your Elf with a Name
Start with an arrival letter that lets the students help name the elf. Giving them a say in naming the elf builds excitement and a sense of ownership. - Keep It Simple with Daily Notes
The best part of having an elf in the classroom? You don’t have to come up with elaborate setups! A simple note left from the elf each morning is all you need to keep students eager and engaged. These notes can include anything from a funny holiday joke to a reminder to practice kindness or a quick activity that needs no extra prep. - Use the Elf to Reinforce Positive Behavior
If your class needs a little nudge toward better behavior, the elf can be an invaluable helper. You can leave a gentle reminder note from the elf encouraging teamwork, quiet voices, or helping friends. And on the days when the class has done exceptionally well, you can reward them with a special congratulatory note! - Farewell the Elf with a Celebration
As the end of the season approaches, wrap up with a farewell letter from the elf. It’s a fun way to close out the holiday activities, celebrate the students’ efforts, and build lasting memories of a magical classroom experience.
Ready-to-Use Elf Letters for a Magical, No-Prep Experience
To make hosting a classroom elf even easier, I’ve created a Classroom Elf Letters Resource with 46 pre-written notes! This resource includes an arrival letter, a farewell letter, and 35 sweet, daily message letters with no-prep tasks, jokes, and praises for students. Plus, there are 4 “why the elf didn’t move” notes (for days you might forget!) and 5 behavior-boosting notes to help students stay on track.
With this resource, you don’t have to stress about coming up with creative ways to display the elf or spending extra time planning each day’s message. Simply choose a note each morning, place it where the elf sits, and let the magic unfold. It’s a no-fuss, engaging way to spread holiday cheer while keeping students focused and motivated.
This holiday season, let’s make the elf experience enjoyable and stress-free for both students and teachers alike. Happy elfing, and may your classroom be filled with joy, laughter, and a sprinkle of holiday magic!
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