No matter the grade level, the sense of community is important in a classroom. We want our students to enter into our classroom and develop a sense of belonging. We want them to feel at home enough to become comfortable with speaking up when they either have information or knowledge to share or speak when they have a need, academic or personal. This sense of belonging or community is important not only for the success of the flow of the classroom but also to the success of each student reaching his or her full academic potential. I feel there are many things we each already do to establish that community feel to our classrooms.
The first way I help foster that sense of community in my classroom is the way I set up or decorate my classroom. I believe in the use of color in a primary classroom. Bright colors are happy colors. They can help set the tone you would like in your classroom. Muted or dull colors may decrease the positive and lively interaction of your classroom. It is important to give your classroom that homey feel without making it feel too relaxed. I like to arrange desks in such a way that create small working groups. I found the arrangement that I am currently using on Pinterest. Our smaller class sizes this year makes it possible. Second, I like to create displays that show off my students. Each year we have our second graders create a scrapbook page to introduce themselves to the class. There are other group displays that cluster them together thus giving them a visual anchor that they belong together. The third way to foster community in the classroom occurs the first week of school through activities we do together. I have used a human BINGO sheet that provides an opportunity for students to talk with each other and learn interesting facts about the other. I also like to do small group activities that provide students with tasks to complete together that gives each learner a job to perform to help the class finish their task. Daily, I also use a Classroom Helpers chart that has 4 leaders for the day. One helps with Office Information. Another is our line leader. A third person takes care of the doors and lights for the day and the fourth person assists with distributing papers and supplies for the day. These jobs give the students opportunities to lead in the classroom as well as giving them a sense of responsibility to the class as a whole. There are so many things we can do to foster community in our classroom. It just takes a little extra effort. Just remember that some students don't feel like they belong any where due to circumstances beyond their control. Don't make the mistake of your classroom being another place on their list. |
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