Social Skills

What's your Number One go to Attention Grabber? 2013

At the end of February this year (2013), I asked the Clever Classroom Facebook fans what their number one, go to attention grabber was in their classroom.

The response was amazing and several of our fabulous fans requested that I compile the ideas into a download, so I did. It is available for free in our TpT store - Clever Classroom.

It seems that many teachers (44,282 of them) love your ideas too!

It is time to revisit the ideas and update them.

If you have an attention grabber that works well in your classroom, please let us know about it by leaving your idea in the comments below. By leaving your idea below, means that you are happy to have it added in our download to share with teachers from all around the world (your name will not be added).

FIRST, download the free file (click here) to to see what ideas you might like to adopt and if your idea is already noted.

Then come back here and add your attention grabber in the comments below. 

Or you can visit Clever Classroom on Facebook.

You might also like:

Click the link below to see this poster.

Great Deals on School & Homeschool Curriculum Books

Click the link below to see this poster.

Great Deals on School & Homeschool Curriculum Books

I am very passionate about teaching manners and social skills in general. It is the most fundamental parts of being a member of our society. 

I also love picture books and find that it is an engaging way to teach social conventions to our children. I like to focus on one social skill at a time, using my Classroom Manners Posters and compliment it with a picture book. 

I focus on the skill that seems to be lacking overall in the classroom, for example keeping your hands to yourself. I would place the poster up in the classroom at the beginning of the week and discuss what this looks like, sounds like and so on. We discuss the consequences of keeping our hands to our selves and also for using our hands in an inappropriate manner. 
As children move off to their activities, or as we sit as a whole group I state that I will be looking for this skill. You can integrate it in to your classroom management strategies and rewards. I like to give an award in assembly at the end of the week for the social skill we have been focusing on.

Below is a collection of 25 books for young children with links to amazon.com (see title for link). I have included the age group where it was cited on the corresponding Amazon page, please note, that some titles do not have an age bracket. 

What If Everybody Did That? By Ellen Javernick 3 - 5 years

If you drop just one soda can out the window, it’s no big deal ... right? But what if everybody did that? What if everybody broke the rules ... and spoke during story time, didn’t wash up, or splashed too much at the pool? Then the world would be a mess. But what if everybody obeyed the rules so that the world would become a better place? Using humorous illustrations rendered in mixed media, these questions are answered in a child-friendly way and show the consequences of thoughtless behavior.

You Get What You Get  By Ellen Javernick 3 - 5 years

Melvin throws fit after fit when he doesn't get what he wants. He must learn how to deal with disappointment. After all, you get what you get and you don't throw a fit.

Stand in My Shoes: Kids Learning About Empathy by Bob Sornson Ph.D 

Empathy is the ability to notice what other people feel. Empathy leads to the social skills and personal relationships which make our lives rich and beautiful, and it is something we can help our children learn. This book teaches young children the value of noticing how other people feel. Were hoping that many parents read it along with their children.

Lacey Walker, Nonstop Talker By Christianne C. Jones

Lacey Walker loves to talk. She talks all day, and sometimes all night. But when she loses her voice, Lacey learns the importance of listening.

The Worst Day of My Life Ever! By Julia Cook 4 years and up

The book includes tips for parents and educators on how to effectively teach listening and following instructions skills to kids. Winner of the 2011 MOM's Choice Award Honoring Excellence and the National Parenting Center's 'Seal of Approval.'

My Mouth Is a Volcano! By Julia Cook 4 years and up

All of Louis thoughts are very important to him. In fact, his thoughts are so important to him that when he has something to say, his words begin to wiggle, and then they do the jiggle, then his tongue pushes all of his important words up against his teeth and he erupts, or interrupts others. His mouth is a volcano! My Mouth Is A Volcano takes an empathetic approach to the habit of interrupting and teaches children a witty technique to capture their rambunctious thoughts and words for expression at an appropriate time. Told from Louis’ perspective, this story provides parents, teachers, and counselors with an entertaining way to teach children the value of respecting others by listening and waiting for their turn to speak.

Mind Your Manners: In School By Arianna Candell 4-7 years

Brief stories describe classroom friendships, the importance of silence when the teacher is giving a lesson, the friendly way for borrowing and sharing storybooks, picking up toys after playtime, and other typical school situations. Several classroom games are suggested as activities for creative learning and play. The bright color illustrations on every page of How We Should Behave Books will appeal to younger boys and girls, while the easy to understand stories teach them fundamental rules of good behavior. The brief stories dramatize typical events in children's lives, showing kids as they interact with other children, with teachers, and with other adults.

Know and Follow Rules By Cheri J. Meiners M.Ed. 4-8 years

A child who can’t follow rules is a child who’s always in trouble. This book starts with simple reasons why we have rules: to help us stay safe, learn, be fair, and get along. Then it presents just four basic rules: “Listen,” “Best Work,” “Hands and Body to Myself,” and “Please and Thank You.” The focus throughout is on the positive sense of pride that comes with learning to follow rules. Includes questions and activities adults can use to reinforce the ideas and skills being taught.

When Sophie Gets Angry -- Really, Really Angry By Molly Bang 4-8 years

Everybody gets angry sometimes. For children, anger can be very upsetting. Parents, teachers, and children can talk about it. People do lots of different things when they get angry. In this Caldecott-honor book, kids will see what Sophie does when she gets angry. What do you do?

The Way I Feel By  Janan Cain 3-8 years

The zany characters who sniffle, soar and shriek through this book will help kids understand the concept of such emotions as joy, disappointment, boredom and anger. "The Way I Feel" will also show kids how to express their feelings with words.

The Way I Act By Steve Metzger 5-10 years

The Way I Act follows the pattern established by The Way I Feel, introducing a wide variety of character traits, including some not usually attributed to young children. Metzger s carefully crafted text is sensitive and free of bias and slang. Together with Cain s sometimes zany characters, The Way I Act shows scenarios that kids can identify with peering at bugs with a magnifying glass, making a bed, finishing a puzzle, sweeping up a mess.

Personal Space Camp By Julia Cook 4 years and up

Louis, a self-taught space expert is delighted to learn that his teacher has sent him to the principal's office to attend personal space camp. Eager to learn more about lunar landings, space suits, and other cosmic concepts, Louis soon discovers that he has much to learn about personal space right here on earth. Written with style, wit, and rhythm, personal space camp addresses the complex issue of respect for another person s physical boundaries. 

Kindergators: Hands Off, Harry! By Rosemary Wells 4-8 years

Kindergators work and play happily in Miss Harmony's class. But Harry isn't being a good classmate! He's disrupting Friendly Circle, causing accidents, and upsetting the class. Can the Kindergators find a way to help Harry learn to respect personal space?

Bully B.E.A.N.S. By Julia Cook 4 years and up

Bully B.E.A.N.S. is a fun story that teaches people of all ages to become proactive when it comes to bullying. This book can help children and adults understand why bullying happens and what they can do to stop it. Finally, a bullying book that speaks to the bystander!

Don't Squeal Unless It's a Big Deal: A Tale of Tattletales By Jeanie Franz Ransom 4 tears and up

With humor and exuberance, a compassionate problem-solving teacher shows classmate piglets who squeal incessantly on each other how to know when to tell and when to solve conflicts themselves. Includes Note to Parents and Teachers. 

Teamwork Isn't My Thing, and I Don't Like to Share! By Julia Cook 

RJ’s having another bad day... His teacher wants him to work with bossy Bernice, messy Frankie, and Norma (who just sits and picks her nose) on a report about Egyptian mummies. After a frustrating school day with his team, RJ goes home to find only one cookie left in the jar. And his mom makes him share it with his sister! With the help of his coach, RJ learns that working as a team and sharing are skills needed not just on the soccer field, but in school and at home too!

Excuse Me! By Karen Katz 3-5 years

This book teaches toddlers the abc's of "polite behavior" in a gentle and funny way. Little ones will love seeing situations that they know all too well, including burping or breaking a sibling's toy and learning the right response to each situation.

Heartprints By P. K. Hallinan 4 years and up

 In this delightful and warm book, the author weaves a story of children helping others and leaving heartprints all along the way.

Dude, That's Rude! By Pamela Espeland 8 years and up

Full-color cartoons and kid-friendly text teach the basics of polite behavior in all kinds of situations—at home, at school, in the bathroom, on the phone, at the mall, and more. Kids learn Power Words to use and P.U. Words to avoid, why their family deserves their best manners, and the essentials of e-tiquette (politeness online).

Say Please, Little Bear By Parragon Books

Little Bear gets a lesson from Daddy Bear in learning to be polite and share in this whimsical tale from Peter Bently. This warm story delivers an important message in a playful manner, making it ideal for early learners. The adorable illustrations and easy-to-read text will make it a favorite for children to read aloud with adults or as a practice book for independent readers.

Kevin Knows the Rules: Introduces Classroom Rules To Kindergarten Through Third Grade Students By Molly Dowd

Introducing your class rules has never been so easy! Rules such as ¿Raise Your Hand¿ and ¿Walk Quietly in the Hall" are brought to life for your students by veteran teacher Molly Dowd and award winning illustrator Carla Golembe. Students and teachers can then discuss, model, and practice these rules together as a class. Children will gain a clear understanding of expectations in school settings, and they will feel confident and ready to learn!Let Kevin Knows the Rules help you achieve your goal of having the smooth-running class that you¿ve always dreamed of so that in turn, your students can reach their full academic potential!*Poster is included for classroom display.**Also a fantastic resource for parents of children entering school.

Kindness Is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler By Margery Cuyler 5 years and up

Soon the entire class is doing so many good deeds that their kindness bulletin board barely fits their classroom!
From clearing the table after dinner, to helping the elderly, one kindergarten class is proving that kids really can make a difference.
Count along with Mrs. Ruler's class. Can all their good deeds really add up to 100 acts of kindness?

Manners Matter on the Playground By Lori Ann Mortense 6 years and up

Who is using good manners on the playground? Can you guess who is using bad manners? Take a peek at students at recess to see how they use good manners to take turns, play fair, and share.

Manners Matter in the Classroom By Lori Ann Mortensen 6 years and up

Who is using good manners in the classroom? Can you guess who is using bad manners? Take a peek at students during their day to see how they use good manners to be kind, and keep the classroom quiet and clean.

Have You Filled a Bucket Today? By Carol McCloud 4 years and up

Through simple prose and vivid illustrations, this heartwarming book encourages positive behavior as children see how rewarding it is to express daily kindness, appreciation, and love. Bucket filling and dipping are effective metaphors for understanding the effects of our actions and words on the well being of others and ourselves.




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Social Skills Flippy Books

Social Skills MEGA Pack Worksheets, Programme & Posters - 244 pages

Social Skills Flippy Books with Manners/Expectations Posters COMBO

For even more ideas for teaching social skills, see our Pinterest board: Social Skills.

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