Soft Starts in the Classroom!

What is a soft start? A soft start in the classroom is a gentle transition into the school day, offering students activities that promote a peaceful and positive environment. These activities can range from coloring and silent reading to various other engaging options. The benefits of a soft start include welcoming students into a safe and inviting atmosphere right from the beginning, instead of the hustle and bustle of a typical school day. By engaging in soft starts, students are given time to self-regulate and emotionally prepare for a day of learning. Lastly, soft starts help build community and collaboration among students, providing a relaxing time where they can share their thoughts, ideas, and even work on projects together.

Snowflake Soft Start Activity!

Materials:

Q-tips

Straws

Glass counters

Pom-poms

Scissors

Pictures of snowflakes

Gibbs’ Reflective Learning Cycle!

1. Description
In this activity, students are asked to create a snowflake using various materials. The goal is to encourage creativity and critical thinking. Educators are encouraged to use this activity as a “soft start” to the day, allowing students to ease into learning while engaging in problem-solving and decision-making. The activity also creates an opportunity for collaboration as students can choose to work individually or in pairs.

2. Feelings
I feel that this activity is a great way to engage students. I appreciate the creative outlook of the task, and I’m excited by the potential of how you can expand this into other cross-curricular learning intentions. Overall, I think It’s an enjoyable way for students to begin their day while learning.

3. Evaluation
The snowflake activity is a positive experience because it encourages critical thinking, creativity, and decision-making. It allows students to explore materials and design choices, which develops problem-solving. However, it could also be challenging for some students if they are unsure about how to begin or feel limited by the materials provided.

4. Analysis
Using this snowflake activity as part of a “soft start” is valuable because it encourages student engagement without the pressure of immediately jumping into more formal academic tasks. By allowing students to use their imagination and create something unique, it promotes cognitive skills like problem-solving and decision-making. The activity is connected to UVic teacher competency #7 (practise working collaboratively and collegially as well as independently), as it encourages both independent and collaborative work. The activity also relates to UVic teacher competency #12 ( develop an understanding of how learners learn in order to cultivate effective learning environments) by creating an environment where students can develop their own creative process.

5. Conclusion
Incorporating soft starts like this snowflake activity is a great way to support positive student behavior and create a welcoming, creative learning environment. It encourages students to think critically, collaborate with peers, and engage in metacognitive thinking as they reflect on their choices and problem-solving strategies. All in all, this activity helps students embrace the idea that, like snowflakes, everyone is unique, which adds a layer of self-awareness and appreciation for individuality.

6. Action Plan
In the future, I would incorporate the snowflake activity into soft start routines during the winter season, perhaps with different materials or prompts each time to encourage ongoing creativity and engagement. I would also provide guidance for students who may struggle with how to begin the activity, ensuring they feel supported in making decisions.

Resources:

https://atrailblazingteacher.com/creating-a-calm-and-engaging-classroom-the-magic-of-soft-starts/ https://www.mrsthompsonstreasures.com/soft-start-elementary-classroom-morning-ideas/