Seeing Each Other: Building Connection Symbols in Your Classroom

Creating a classroom where every student feels seen, valued, and connected is one of the most powerful steps you can take as an educator. One fun, hands-on way to do this is through connection symbols - simple gestures, words, or small visual cues that communicate care, acknowledgment, and belonging without a single word.

Bonus: Kikori is offering a free connection symbol activity this month, perfect for guiding your students through this process. Access it here → https://webapp.kikoriapp.com/activity_detail/68b997eea7b76da4657ce9bd 

Why Connection Symbols Matter

Connection symbols do more than just make students smile—they help build a sense of belonging, especially for quieter students or those who may feel overlooked. When another student notices them with a gesture, symbol, or phrase, it creates a feeling of “I see you,” which can stay with them all year.

Connection symbols also support:

• Social-emotional learning by practicing empathy and awareness

• Classroom culture by promoting respect and inclusion

• Group development: This activity helps students move through Tuckman’s “forming” stage of group development, building trust and establishing norms together

• Student empowerment: The more students create, have fun, and own the symbols, the deeper the memory, connection, and ongoing usage

Miss Bee's Class' Connection Symbols

“Having students create their own symbols gave them autonomy and made the connections much more meaningful!”- Chyna Brachter, Kikori Ambassador @Msbeesclass

 Chyna Brachter, Kikori Ambassador- Insta @Msbeesclass

Heart- love your idea

Star/diamond- you’re a star

Crown (hands over head)- great thinker

Jazz fingers- connection/ same idea

Step-by-Step Guide: Creating Your Own Classroom Connection Symbols

Warm-Up (2 min)

Start with a simple question:

“How do you let someone know you see them without even saying a word?”

Invite students to think about small gestures or signals, such as:

• A smile 🙂

• A wave 👋

• A nod or thumbs-up 👍

Brainstorm Together (5 min)

As a class, brainstorm ways people can send signals of care or connection. Write ideas on chart paper so everyone can see them. Examples might include:

• Peace sign ✌️

• Heart hands 🤍

• A special word or phrase

• A small symbol they can draw (like a star or spiral)

• A “me too” or “from my brain to yours” sign 🤙

Create Our Symbols (8 min)

Break students into small groups of 3–4. Each group will create one unique connection symbol, which could be:

• A hand gesture (like tapping fists twice or a mini-wave)

• A word or phrase (like “Shine on!” or “I see you”)

• A quick drawing symbol (like a rainbow, star, or swirl)

Ask students to also define the meaning behind their symbol:

“What does this symbol tell others when you use it?”

This is the heart of the activity—the more students create and have fun with it, the more they own it, which makes the symbol memorable and meaningful throughout the year.

Share & Practice (5 min)

Each group presents their symbol to the class and demonstrates how it’s used. Practice each symbol as a class so everyone knows and feels comfortable using them.

Extend the Impact

Connection symbols don’t have to stay in your classroom. Students can:

• Teach the symbol to the principal, assistant principal, specials teachers, or other school leaders

• Showcase symbols to other classrooms

• Present symbols in a school-wide assembly

By extending the activity, students see how their shared creations contribute to a positive school culture.

Tips for Success

• Include quieter students—it matters so much when another student connects with them; this feeling of being seen can stay with them all year.

• Make it a joyful, thoughtful process—don’t rush! The more fun students have while creating, the deeper the memory and ongoing usage.

• Revisit the symbols regularly to reinforce their purpose, especially during Morning Meetings or advisory time.

Ready to get started?

Take advantage of Kikori’s free connection symbols activity this month to guide your students through creating, sharing, and owning their classroom symbols.

Click here to access → https://webapp.kikoriapp.com/activity_detail/68b997eea7b76da4657ce9bd 

Final Thought:

When students create, share, and connect, they develop a stronger sense of belonging, trust, and community. This is the kind of experience that makes your classroom—and your school—a place where every student knows:

“I am seen. I am valued. I belong.”