Looking to bring positive affirmations into your upper elementary classroom this new year or new school year season? I can help!
Positive affirmations are powerful, positive statements that can help students build confidence and develop a healthy mindset. They are a great way to set a positive tone in your classroom.
As teachers, we know how important it is to create a classroom environment where every student feels supported and valued. Using affirmations in the classroom can encourage students to believe in themselves, try their best, and keep a positive attitude, even when things get tough.
The best part for busy teachers like us? They are simple to use, quick to implement, and can make a big impact on students’ social-emotional learning and overall well-being.
Why use positive affirmations in the classroom?
✔ Boosts Self-Esteem and Confidence
We all need a little boost, especially our students!
Positive affirmations help kids see the good in themselves by reminding them of their strengths and abilities. They
build self-esteem and confidence, making it easier for students to tackle challenges with a growth mindset and believe they can succeed.
✔ Promotes a Positive Classroom Environment
Using positive affirmations creates a classroom where students feel supported and encouraged. Hearing and saying positive statements to one another, helps build respect, empathy, and a strong sense of community. This kind of environment leads to
better teamwork and fewer issues with bullying or negative behavior.
✔ Improves Ability to Handle Stress
Affirmations help students handle their emotions and deal with stress. When kids
practice positive self-talk regularly, they learn to stay calm in challenging moments, build resilience, and keep a more positive outlook—skills important for their learning and personal growth.
Excited to get started? Here are 6 quick ways to bring positive affirmations to your upper elementary classroom!
How can I use positive affirmations in my classroom?
1. Affirmation of the Week
Choose a
different affirmation each week and display it prominently in the classroom. Discuss its meaning with the students and encourage them to reflect on how it applies to their lives. You can engage students in peer discussions, whole group discussions, or with a written reflection. This practice can help reinforce positive thinking consistently.
💡Teacher tip: Go one step further and
shine each affirmation on the board during your discussions. Then print that affirmation full or mini size, and display it in the classroom!
2. Morning Affirmation Routine
Add a positive affirmation to your morning meeting and routine! You can choose a
new one for each day or use one weekly affirmation. I like to use themes for affirmations, such as ones focused on a growth mindset at the beginning of the year and friendships at the end of the year. Have students repeat a positive statement together, such as "I am capable and ready to learn" or "I believe in myself and my abilities." This sets a positive tone for the day ahead and for your classroom all year long!
💡Teacher tip: Encourage students to share a positive affirmation that they know to your morning meeting time. You can adopt the students' positive affirmation suggestions, too!
3. Affirmation Bulletin Board
Create a
bulletin board dedicated to positive affirmations. This is a great way to have consistency in your classroom and keep the same bulletin board all year long. This visual reminder will serve as a constant source for your students' daily dose of encouragement and positivity in the classroom.
💡Teacher tip: If you are short on space or have a small bulletin board, print positive affirmation posters four to a page. By the end of the year, you will have enough room for your weekly or daily affirmation posters. Plus, you can also use those small sizes as positive note cards for your students! #teacherwin
💡Teacher tip: I have found that coloring activities are great to use during morning work, after recess, and during dismissal. They offer great calming and relaxing time before starting a new lesson. These are also great for fast finishers! Don't forget to
display your students' completed colored pages.
Grab free coloring printables to get started with positive affirmations in your classroom!
5. Incorporate Affirmations into Assignments
When assigning projects or homework, include a section where students can write a positive affirmation related to the task. You can even just have them write it on the back of the paper. For example, before starting a challenging assignment, they might write, "I am prepared and capable of doing my best work on this project."
💡Teacher tip: This can be hard for students to do at first. Help them by offering two affirmations that they think would relate to the task. After they get used to picking an affirmation, they can then begin to write their own!
6. Read a Book
Reading a book, especially when introducing positive affirmations in your classroom, is an easy way for students to understand what they are. If you are just getting started, try one of these!
💡Teacher tip: Go through your picture book stack and reread books with the lens of looking for positive affirmations. You will be surprised at how many books have the message of positive thinking, positive affirmations,
and a growth mindset!
Affirmations are a simple yet powerful tool that can transform your classroom into a space where students thrive emotionally, socially, and academically. By helping students build confidence, creating a positive and supportive environment, and teaching them how to handle stress, affirmations become a key part of their growth. Best of all, they’re easy to implement and can quickly become a meaningful part of your daily routine. Whether you’re starting the day with an affirmation, creating a bulletin board, or sharing a picture book read-aloud, these small steps can make a big difference.
You will also love to read:
Love these ideas? Pin to save!
*affiliate links: “Think Grow Giggle is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.” (source: Section 5)
