Building Bright Futures: Creative Tools for a Successful School Year

by Shelby Larsen Aug. 28, 2025

7 ways to start your year on the right foot

School is back in session and that means it is a vital time in all of our classrooms. This is our opportunity to build community, set goals and discover what it is like to be in a classroom together as a new group. There are countless ways that we can promote and foster a positive and successful start to the school year. These projects and displays are just a few of the creative steps you can take to have a strong start to your classroom.

1. Goal Setting Display Board

One of the most visual ways to showcase a strong start with a creative twist is to create display boards that highlight some goals that are set by your scholars. To make this bulletin board you will need to get out your MARK 5 Die Cutting Machine and you will cut out a pair of the Arms Die Cut for each of your scholars. You can also cut out some stars using the Stars #3 Die Cut to add some additional decoration. You will also need to use an alphabet set to create the words, “How will you make a difference,” the letter set in this example is the Shout Alphabet - 4" Alphabet Set. Once you have all of the elements cut out you can have students write an academic goal on one of the arms and a social goal on the other arm. You could also just type up a goal or two for each student and have the pair of hands hold the goal on the board.

2. Sharp Bunch Display Board

This is a super adorable board that will show off who is in your class while also promoting your group of students as intelligent young learners. You will use your MARK 5 Die Cutting Machine to cut out a bunch of cactuses using the Cactus #1 Die Cut and the Cactus #2 Die Cut. You will need to have enough to have one for each of your scholars. You will also need to create the expression of, “We are a Sharp Bunch,” using your alphabet set. Students could write their own name on their cactus or you can add the names and then post them on your board.

3. Cactus Business Cards

Keeping with the cactus theme you can create teacher business cards by using the your MARK 5 Die Cutting Machine and the same cactus die cuts, either Cactus #1 Die Cut or the Cactus #2 Die Cut. Have a card at each desk spot for open house with your contact information. This is something that will be easy for families to keep track of and it is a creative way to introduce yourself and share how to best keep in contact with you.

4. Cactus Goal Makers

Another great way to utilize the Cactus die cuts is to use your MARK 5 Die Cutting Machine to cut out a cactus for each student. They can then write their goal for the quarter on the pot and this is something that can be posted, taken home or kept in their desk to reflect on throughout the quarter. This is something that can be repeated each quarter as well so they can collect their quarterly goals as a way to remember their growth and hard work throughout the year. This is a great way to have kids consider their own hopes and dreams for themselves as learners.

5. Class Rules Reminders

At the beginning of every school year we all spend a lot of time teaching students expectations and procedures. All of these routines can be connected back to our school rules. One great way to help students remember the school rules is to have them make their own reminder of how to BEE or act in school. You will need to use the MARK 5 Die Cutting Machine and you will also need the Bee #3 Die Cut and the Strip Maker 1" Die Cut. To make them cut out one yellow bee per student. Then cut two gray or white wings. Next you will need to cut multiple 1" black strips and black antennas and then glue black strips to the bee's body letting the strips hang over the edges. While looking at the back of the bee, trim off the extra black strips using the bee's body as a guide. You can pass these out to your students and show them how to write the school rules. After that, glue the antennas to the back of the bee's head. Next, add eyes and a mouth with black marker. Finally, glue the wings to the back of the bee's body.

6. Star Reading Rewards

One of the first things you will want to do with your students is set up some expectations around reading routines in your classroom. Promoting the act of reading is essential because they will be spending a lot of time in the classroom reading each day. Setting up clear expectations and having time to model and practice reading in the first few weeks is very important. The next step would be to make sure you celebrate students who are showcasing that they can follow the routine and that they can be a role model to others as to what it looks like to be a reader. Creating these star reader rewards and having them prepped allows you to pass them out whenever you see a reader being an example of those reading skills. To make these use your MARK 5 Die Cutting Machine to cut out the Award #5 Die Cuts. You can then write out star reader award on each of them so they are prepped and ready to pass out.

7. Reading Bookmarks

While on the topic of reading it is also a fun idea to have bookmarks prepared for scholars to use. You can create a variety of bookmarks but these Hip Hippo Hooray Bookmarks are super cute and scholars will love using them as they read their books throughout the year. Create them by using the MARK 5 Die Cutting Machine as well as they Bookmark-Generic #3 Die Cut and the Hippopotamus #2 Die Cut. Cut out enough for each scholar to have one and then glue the hippo on top of the bookmark. Then have students write their name on the front so they can mark their place in their books as they read.

All of these projects are some simple ways to get your students discussing, thinking about, reflecting on and practicing skills that will help them succeed this school year. They each promote growth and celebration of your scholars. They need to see themselves as leaders, readers and community members that are necessary for the success of the whole class environment. Try a couple of these crafts this first quarter to help get your scholars off on the right foot.