We also do a polar express day in 3rd grade in Cincinnati, OH. A big theme in our school the past few years has been "Believe". All throughout the school are believe sayings and we constantly are sharing with the students how we believe in them. After reading the story we talk about the boy hearing the bell and believing in Santa. I give my students each a bell on a red ribbon after the story and I tell them that as long as they can hear the ring of the bell they should know and understand how much I believe in them. I remind them when they are having a hard day or are frustrated with school or friends they can always look back at the bell and remember that Ms. Radel believes they can do anything they set their mind to. It may sound cheesy but I have been doing this for three years now and actually had a student wear theirs to school the other day!
We also do a polar express day in 3rd grade in Cincinnati, OH. A big theme in our school the past few years has been "Believe". All throughout the school are believe sayings and we constantly are sharing with the students how we believe in them. After reading the story we talk about the boy hearing the bell and believing in Santa. I give my students each a bell on a red ribbon after the story and I tell them that as long as they can hear the ring of the bell they should know and understand how much I believe in them. I remind them when they are having a hard day or are frustrated with school or friends they can always look back at the bell and remember that Ms. Radel believes they can do anything they set their mind to. It may sound cheesy but I have been doing this for three years now and actually had a student wear theirs to school the other day!