Teachers have a very important task the first few weeks of school - connecting with their students. It’s important to me that my students see our class as their family. I want our classroom to be a place where they feel safe, respected, and excited to learn! Developing a strong classroom community starts in the first few weeks of school and progresses throughout the year.
“Students don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” Adapted from Theodore Roosevelt
Research shows that a teacher’s who actively build strong relationships with their students have a deeper impact on student performance than those that don’t. Intentionally building positive relationships in your classroom is one of the most important things a teacher can do!
Strategies for connecting with your students
The first few days of school naturally lend themselves to ice breakers and introductory activities. Invest time to get to know your students likes, dislikes, and strengths.
Planned Activities
Letting students share about themselves will help you get to know them and help their classmates too. A search on Pinterest will bring up a lot of ideas for getting know your class. Some of my favorites are: an all about me bag, a personalized banner, and an interest survey. All are great ways to foster connections early on.
Restorative circles
Restorative circles are a take on traditional class meetings. They consist of the class coming together in a circle to problem solve, share thoughts ideas, and create connections. I try to do this a few times a week, but find that they are most effective when done daily. I will facilitate our circles in the beginning of the year and gradually release responsibilities to the students.
Snack and chat
The 2 x 10 strategy is well known for building relationships with at-risk students. The idea behind it is that if you spend 2 minutes with a student for 10 days talking about whatever he or she would like you can start building a positive rapport with them. Why wait until their is a problem? I try to eat in the cafeteria for a “snack and chat” twice a week. Such an easy way to bond with students and get to know them on another level outside of the classroom.
These are just a few strategies for fostering a positive classroom community. The time you invest now will help all students in your class family feel important, valued, and special. Comment below and let me know how you create a positive community in your classroom!
I love the quote you included! Absolutely one of my favorites. I'm curious, what is an all about me bag? Is this simply where students include objects that represent themselves? In my classroom, we have a morning meeting where students are able to share something of my choice and comment on others shares. They enjoy doing this because great connections are made among the students.
ReplyDeleteA ME bag is a super simple way for students to get to know eachother. On the first day of school I give every student a brown paper bag. They choose five items that represent them to put in the bag and write a sentence for each describing how that item represents them. The outside of the paper bag is decorated, but can't have their name! Throughout the first week I will reveal a few bags a day, showing the items, and reading about them. The class will guess whose bag is whose. It's a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteI have seen other teachers do morning meeting before and I love the community building that it allows!