In order to manage a classroom, building a sense of community between myself and the students will be essential. I hope to create a welcoming, safe, comfortable, and fun classroom in which students feel motivated and inspired to learn. From the first day of school to the last day, I will use strategies to build a sense of community and to make sure each student feels like they belong in my classroom.
First Day of School
On the first day of school, I will welcome each student personally at the door and ask them to take a seat at the table where their name tag is. I will then introduce myself and do some icebreakers to initially get to know my students. Planning a scavenger hunt could allow students to explore the classroom and find where things are. Playing a personal bingo game could help students to get to know one another by asking them to find another student who likes or has done certain things. Through icebreakers such as these, students will begin to feel comfortable with their surroundings and their peers. I could also set the tone for the year by writing discussion questions on the board and asking table groups to discuss them. By doing this, I hope to introduce the process of open communication and discussion since it will be a large focus in my classroom. Overall, I hope students leave the first day excited about the year and comfortable with sharing their ideas.
Community Building Activities
Put-Ups activity:
"Students are used to put-downs, but what about put-ups? This activity helps students see the positive things that their schoolmates are doing and gives them skills to affirm each other across social boundaries."
After discussing the power of positive words, students can learn how to notice and compliment their peers. Put-up slips can be placed on the teachers desk, and when a student wants to praise another student they can write it down to be read at the end of the week. Through this, students learn to positively interact with one another and have a sense of community.
Citation:
"Put-Ups". Teaching Tolerance. Web. 6 May 2015.
That's Not Fair! activity:
"Students will experience the effects of unequal resources on student achievement, share their thoughts about educational disparities and take action to bring about change."
In an art activity, one half of students are given low-quality resources and only one crayon while the other half are given high-quality materials. They are asked to finish an art project using their materials, and then the class switches so that all students have experience with both situations. This will lead to a conversation about fairness, and a discussion about what all students need to be successful. This will help them gain perspective and build community with their peers.
Citation:
"That's Not Fair!". Teaching Tolerance. Web. 6 May 2015.
Classroom jobs:
Students can be assigned classroom jobs such as paper passer, trash monitor, and teacher's assistant. Each week, the students can be responsible for a different aspect of the classroom. This not only teaches responsibility and helps for things to get done, but also builds community by giving the students a sense of purpose in the classroom.
Last Day of School
At the end of the year, I hope to have a class that is comfortable and open. I hope to teach my students social skills that they will need in order to be successful in life. On the last day, I will have my students complete an assessment and reflection based on what they have learned throughout the year. This reflection will not be based on content, but rather on things like speaking skills and kindness. I hope to see that my class has learned how to positively interact with one another, and that they are able to reflect on those skills.
First Day of School
On the first day of school, I will welcome each student personally at the door and ask them to take a seat at the table where their name tag is. I will then introduce myself and do some icebreakers to initially get to know my students. Planning a scavenger hunt could allow students to explore the classroom and find where things are. Playing a personal bingo game could help students to get to know one another by asking them to find another student who likes or has done certain things. Through icebreakers such as these, students will begin to feel comfortable with their surroundings and their peers. I could also set the tone for the year by writing discussion questions on the board and asking table groups to discuss them. By doing this, I hope to introduce the process of open communication and discussion since it will be a large focus in my classroom. Overall, I hope students leave the first day excited about the year and comfortable with sharing their ideas.
Community Building Activities
Put-Ups activity:
"Students are used to put-downs, but what about put-ups? This activity helps students see the positive things that their schoolmates are doing and gives them skills to affirm each other across social boundaries."
After discussing the power of positive words, students can learn how to notice and compliment their peers. Put-up slips can be placed on the teachers desk, and when a student wants to praise another student they can write it down to be read at the end of the week. Through this, students learn to positively interact with one another and have a sense of community.
Citation:
"Put-Ups". Teaching Tolerance. Web. 6 May 2015.
That's Not Fair! activity:
"Students will experience the effects of unequal resources on student achievement, share their thoughts about educational disparities and take action to bring about change."
In an art activity, one half of students are given low-quality resources and only one crayon while the other half are given high-quality materials. They are asked to finish an art project using their materials, and then the class switches so that all students have experience with both situations. This will lead to a conversation about fairness, and a discussion about what all students need to be successful. This will help them gain perspective and build community with their peers.
Citation:
"That's Not Fair!". Teaching Tolerance. Web. 6 May 2015.
Classroom jobs:
Students can be assigned classroom jobs such as paper passer, trash monitor, and teacher's assistant. Each week, the students can be responsible for a different aspect of the classroom. This not only teaches responsibility and helps for things to get done, but also builds community by giving the students a sense of purpose in the classroom.
Last Day of School
At the end of the year, I hope to have a class that is comfortable and open. I hope to teach my students social skills that they will need in order to be successful in life. On the last day, I will have my students complete an assessment and reflection based on what they have learned throughout the year. This reflection will not be based on content, but rather on things like speaking skills and kindness. I hope to see that my class has learned how to positively interact with one another, and that they are able to reflect on those skills.