It is of utmost importance that teachers establish the norms, cultures, and routines of the classroom from the very first day of school.
Building relationships in a trusting environment (where students are given a voice and choice over their learning) is key to compliance. In this session, ideas and tools will be shared on how to establish a community-centered, inclusive classroom environment. From mission statements to class meetings, join us to find out how to empower your students in taking control (and therefore responsibility) of their classroom and their learning. Students are more likely to learn when they feel cared for and valued by their teacher.
Students are unable to learn in an environment in which they feel unsafe, scared, insecure, and easily embarrassed. It is important to focus on building a community within the classroom where everyone trusts and relies upon one another for success.
Studies show that students who are a part of learning communities that they trust and feel connected to, are more likely to succeed.
- Getting to know your students: It is highly recommended to take time at the beginning of the year to get to know your students. Spend time doing ice breaker and ‘get to know you’ games as a class- this supports the building of a connected community. Positive teacher-student relationships increase student engagement, motivation, and academic achievement.
- Class Mission Statement: Creating a class mission statement as a class is a worthwhile endeavour that allows students to feel valued and heard. This involves discussing what students want to achieve/ accomplish by the end of the year, and coming to a consensus on a classroom goal. Mission statements increase accountability and decrease behaviour problems.
- Class Meetings: Students meet weekly to discuss shared solutions to classroom problems. Encourages collaborative problem solving. Class meetings provide an opportunity to come together as a community. They are a prevention and intervention tool for strengthening social and emotional development. The goal is to provide a safe and open environment for students to share concerns, explore their feelings, and support each other.
- Co-created rules & consequences: Create rules and consequences in collaboration with your students. This will increase student accountability and ownership over their behaviour.
- Schedule & consistency: Consistency and visible schedules make for calm, relaxed students. Students do best when they know what to expect and when there are no surprises. Routines can be implemented within specific subjects and to guide behaviour in and around the classroom.
- Voice & choice: When teachers use practices that are sensitive to students’ individual differences and needs and that also include student voice, their students tend to be more motivated and show higher academic achievement; they also feel better about school, participate more, and show less disruptive behavior across grade levels.
Slideshow Resource
Check out these slides for more information:
Class Management & Relationship Building
Guest post by Peer Tutor Tamara Jabboour and Ariane Faria dos Santos, October 2023.
