Building Community
More and more studies are showing that creating a positive, safe, and caring community within a classroom and a school is the foundation on which the academic pillars are supported.
A strong social and emotional base is the key to assist students in weathering the stresses they face in our increasingly complex society. Children learn best and are more engaged and ultimately successful when they feel safe, supported, reflected, and connected.
How do we do it?
Children and adolescents take their cues from adults. As educators, we set the tone and model what is acceptable in our community. Creating a positive environment in which students have a voice, feel safe, connected, and are cared about allows them to take risks and to do their best learning. The maintenance of this classroom community is an ongoing, collaborative, and evolving effort between educators and students. As with all learning and growth, these skills need to be explicitly taught, practiced, and reinforced with feedback.
SEL Focused Questions to Consider:
- What routines do you establish at the beginning of the year to promote a safe, caring, and inclusive community? (and what do you do to maintain them?)
- How do you promote healthy relationships with and among your students? (connection)
- How do you incorporate student voice into your practice and teaching?
- How do you make efforts to ensure that students are treated equitably and without bias?
- How do you accommodate varying needs and learning styles in your classroom?
- How do you promote self-management and responsible decision-making?
- How do you acknowledge and highlight students’ strengths and greatnesses?
- How do you model and teach kindness, positivity, and growth mindset to your students?
- How are conflicts resolved in your classroom?
- How are poor behaviour choices reset in your classroom? in your school?
The most important ingredients when building your classroom community are…
an open mind, a loving heart, and an attitude of acceptance.
