Classroom Community
anI have different ways of managing and fostering a safe classroom environment. I work extremely hard to have my students be accepting and understanding of each other. My classroom is a community in which everyone is involved. In my class we work on respecting and accepting one another so we are all able to learn and grow.
In order to create a safe accepting environment I spend time on icebreaker activities, getting to know my students, and allowing them to get to know me. My most used icebreaker activities are, "I am an only child because...", "Link-Up", and a fill in get to know you template. The first two activities show students how they are alike and at the same time show them how everyone is different, meaning that we each bring something valuable to the classroom. In the, "I am an only child," icebreaker students must say one thing that is unique about themselves that no one else in the class can claim. In the, "Link-Up," icebreaker I start by saying something about myself like, "I enjoy running," then a student who also enjoys running will link up with me and say something about them self. These two activities allow students to be themselves while at the same time discovering what they have in common with other students. The last activity is focused on writing. I provide students a template of a head, which is empty. They have to fill it with adjectives about themselves, or brief sentences that will relate to them. This activity allows me to get to know the students as well as get a glimpse into writing levels, and how the students choose to present work.
Another part of creating a classroom community is to be very clear in my expectations of them. On the first day I make them aware of what type of behavior is appropriate, what is not appropriate and show them how to treat one another respect. The students are also actively involved in our classroom expectations. I believe that a classroom is a community. On the first day they also create their own guidelines for what they expect of me, their fellow students, and themselves. When everyone has had their input we will have our Behavior Standards. If students know the expectations and have been able to have a hand in creating them, as well as agree to them, it helps to create a more productive learning environment. In order to ensure everyone agrees we will all sign our Behavior Standards and they will be displayed in the classroom.
One last way that I create a classroom community is through examples and reinforcement. As the teacher I am constantly modeling the type of behavior I expect from students. What they should get from my classroom is how to respect others, be kind and work together. By modeling this behavior I am showing them how to take part in the behavior I expect from them. When students do model this behavior I use positive reinforcement allowing students to be rewarded for behaving appropriately. I also work with students by creating behavioral plans in order to teach them what is expected in our classroom. I don't expect that students will automatically know how to behave but recognize the importance of teaching them!
In summary I believe that it is easier to be proactive in creating your classroom community from the beginning, while involving the students and valuing their opinion, rather than to wait for disciplinary problems to occur and react
In order to create a safe accepting environment I spend time on icebreaker activities, getting to know my students, and allowing them to get to know me. My most used icebreaker activities are, "I am an only child because...", "Link-Up", and a fill in get to know you template. The first two activities show students how they are alike and at the same time show them how everyone is different, meaning that we each bring something valuable to the classroom. In the, "I am an only child," icebreaker students must say one thing that is unique about themselves that no one else in the class can claim. In the, "Link-Up," icebreaker I start by saying something about myself like, "I enjoy running," then a student who also enjoys running will link up with me and say something about them self. These two activities allow students to be themselves while at the same time discovering what they have in common with other students. The last activity is focused on writing. I provide students a template of a head, which is empty. They have to fill it with adjectives about themselves, or brief sentences that will relate to them. This activity allows me to get to know the students as well as get a glimpse into writing levels, and how the students choose to present work.
Another part of creating a classroom community is to be very clear in my expectations of them. On the first day I make them aware of what type of behavior is appropriate, what is not appropriate and show them how to treat one another respect. The students are also actively involved in our classroom expectations. I believe that a classroom is a community. On the first day they also create their own guidelines for what they expect of me, their fellow students, and themselves. When everyone has had their input we will have our Behavior Standards. If students know the expectations and have been able to have a hand in creating them, as well as agree to them, it helps to create a more productive learning environment. In order to ensure everyone agrees we will all sign our Behavior Standards and they will be displayed in the classroom.
One last way that I create a classroom community is through examples and reinforcement. As the teacher I am constantly modeling the type of behavior I expect from students. What they should get from my classroom is how to respect others, be kind and work together. By modeling this behavior I am showing them how to take part in the behavior I expect from them. When students do model this behavior I use positive reinforcement allowing students to be rewarded for behaving appropriately. I also work with students by creating behavioral plans in order to teach them what is expected in our classroom. I don't expect that students will automatically know how to behave but recognize the importance of teaching them!
In summary I believe that it is easier to be proactive in creating your classroom community from the beginning, while involving the students and valuing their opinion, rather than to wait for disciplinary problems to occur and react