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?

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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.

Two kids do a fist bump, a pinky swear, and

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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.

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What community-building activities can reinforce school norms?

#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.

Two schoolgirls giving each other a hug.

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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!

A group of boys giving each other a high five.

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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!

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Establish a strong school community at your school:

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