School isn't just about academics: it includes learning how to accept and collaborate with others. Establishing aschool community is important because it promotes positive relationships and overall happiness. What can you do to foster this growth?
Practice these community-building tips at your school!
#1: Establish positive relationships
Let students know they're valued by promoting positive relationships. These relationships include their peers, teachers, and the school community.
According to Psychology Today, positive relationships help students feel valued and learn how to navigate conflicts. These experiences help with building community by celebrating each student and resolving conflicts healthily.
What community-building strategies will establish positive relationships?
Welcome and greet students whenever you see them
Model kind and respectful attitudes and behavior
Encourage students to be inclusive of everyone
Host events and activities that allow students to socialize
Quiz
Kylie is a new student at your school. She is shy but wants to make new friends. What can you do to help her build positive relationships among her peers? Select all that apply:
#2: Practice school and classroom norms
Routines and expectations reinforce structure, so practice norms that uphold the school community. School norms are linked to many benefits, including:
Advocating equity: Guidelines on treating others make students accountable and help them practice empathy and community.
Engaging students: Classroom and schoolwide norms represent all students and empower them to promote positivity.
Enhancing collectivism: Shared beliefs of collaboration, expectations, respect, and understanding will help students recognize that they are more similar than different.
What community-building activities can reinforce school norms?
Have each class build and sign a class contract together— this can reinforce school expectations that students practice in and out of the classroom
Have students create a video or booklet of classroom expectations or proper procedures in a particular scenario
Model positive attitudes and behavior
#3: Create a welcoming space
The learning environment matters in building community in the classroom, so make your space welcoming, safe, and inclusive for all.
According to Columbia University, when students feel accepted in their environment, they are much more open to participating and community-building because they have a strong sense of belonging. An inclusive school will foster a positive community for all to thrive.
What community-building techniques will create a safe and welcoming environment?
Display student work to celebrate their achievements
Use inclusive language and materials
Promote a culture of acceptance and respect
Engage students with the school culture and community with games, festivals, and after-school events
Address unwelcomed or unkind behaviors and provide a positive solution
#4: Prioritize collaboration
When students work together, they learn more about and with each other. Social interactions will help students practice problem-solving and understanding as they learn to accept differences and build each other up. More collaboration opportunities strengthen the community!
What community-building activities encourage collaboration?
Encourage project-based learning with partnered/group projects and presentations in the classroom
Practice team-building activities that encourage problem-solving
Host peer tutoring sessions so students learn from each other
Quiz
You want to introduce a lunchtime activity that encourages students to work together and build community. Which team-building activity would be the best opportunity for this?
Take Action
A strong classroom community will enhance the learning and social experience by creating a positive environment. When students have the opportunity to work together and practice kindness, they recognize the important role they play in making the space inclusive of all.
Whether you teach elementary, middle, or high school (or even college!), establishing a strong school community will uplift the spirit and joy of your students!
Establish a strong school community at your school:
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