The stronger our classroom community, the more likely our students are to succeed. But how exactly do we create that thriving learning environment? Join us as we discuss 4 strategies to develop a strong classroom community:
listen here:
resources mentioned:
- The Back-to-School trainings have been replaced with the updated (and even better) training How to Reduce Disruptions without Yelling, Begging, or Bribing.
- Beyond Classroom Management has been replaced with the All-New (and even better) Classroom Management 101. Check it out here.
- The Morning Meeting Book
As teachers, we want to create a vibrant classroom community that engages our students, makes them excited to learn, and helps them feel safe and loved.
There are *so many* facets involved - so many strategies we can employ. We go into more of them in our free How to Reduce Disruptions without Yelling, Begging, or Bribing training as well as our full Classroom Management 101 course. But for today, let’s discuss four simple strategies that will help you create a stronger classroom community.
create a strong classroom community
1. Earn respect with consistent classroom management.
Too often teachers throw themselves into creating a positive culture while ignoring the need for strong classroom management. But that's like trying to build a house with a foundation.
In order to have a thriving classroom community, your students need to respect you. And that won’t happen if your classroom is out of control.
It’s critical that we have high expectations and hold our students to them. That we consistently deal with problems that occur. That we kindly insist students follow procedures, and that we only set limits we can actually enforce.
If you’re struggling to keep order, please join us in our free training How to Reduce Disruptions without Yelling, Begging, or Bribing. You can reduce disruptions and get to the point where you can actually teach and your students can focus & learn.
2. Employ the 2 x 10 strategy.
This amazingly simple strategy works wonders - particularly with challenging students. Here’s how it works: Commit to talk to that challenging student for two minutes a day for ten days - about anything they want!
This simple effort will help forge a relationship, and you might just be amazed at the turnaround!
Oh, and if even two minutes seems too overwhelming, pair it down to a simple one-liner - pointing out something you noticed. “I noticed you like hockey.”
The point is that you’re showing them that you see them as more than just a troublesome student - that you care about them and are glad they’re in your class.
3. Always show empathy.
Normally when it comes time to give consequences, we’re frustrated - and that frustration too often shows through. What happens then is the students gets upset at us rather than learning from their mistakes.
The answer? Show genuine empathy - all the time, but especially when enforcing limits.
It can be as simple, “Oh, this is so sad, but…..” or leading with “Ohhhh….” (said with an empathetic nod).
Empathizing with the student shows that you’re on the same team and want to work with them to help them succeed.
4. Incorporate “morning” meetings
Regular class meetings (whether in the morning for elementary or periodically in secondary) are a great way to build your classroom community. In them, students practice communication, social, emotional, and academic skills.
In a typical “morning” meeting, students greet each other, share and get to know each other, play team-building games, and practice academic skills.
Yes, it takes time, but it’s an intentional investment into your classroom community. And when students are comfortable with each other, care about each other, and are invested in the success of the class as a whole, that pays off in huge dividends the rest of the day!
We teach how to start morning meetings in both elementary & secondary in our Classroom Management 101 Course. You might also want to check out The Morning Meeting Book.
These are just a few strategies to help build your classroom community, but we’ll be sharing so many more in our free training: How to Reduce Disruptions without Yelling, Begging, or Bribing.
You can reduce disruptions and get to the point where you can actually teach and your students can focus & learn!
spread the word!
Did you find this post helpful? Clue in your fellow teachers by sharing the post directly (just copy the URL) or by clicking one of the buttons to automatically share on social media.
I’m beginning to get more interested in the array of trainings.
I’m eager to try out some of these.
I completely agree that teachers find consistent/firm classroom management can be considered a “mean” teacher. Having expectations, sticking to them, and teaching and reinforcing them regularly(and nicely!) is actually what students need to feel comfortable in their classroom! Empathy and the 2×10 rule are also things my team is consistent with. Great ideas!
I am always striving to build a stronger classroom culture. I have never heard of the 2 x 10 strategy, but I can see how that would be so beneficial! Building relationships with students who may present challenges is one of the best management strategies in my opinion. I also liked the emphasis on empathy, as this is something I strive to teach my students. They watch so much of what we do and I want to be an empathetic teacher!