Lunch Bunch was something I introduced to give students a chance to connect with me in a different setting. They signed themselves up on the weekly chart, chose the day that worked best for them, and were always excited when it was their turn. During Lunch Bunch, students talked about school, friendships, things they were proud of, or anything they just wanted me to know about themselves.

This routine helped me build stronger relationships with students and gave them a space where they felt comfortable opening up. It also helped me get to know their personalities and what they need from me during the school day. Lunch Bunch is such a simple thing, but it made a big difference in how comfortable students were with me and how connected they felt in our classroom.