As teachers, we usually go into the first weeks of school assuming full responsibility for building the learning space. But what happens if we put some of that responsibility in our students鈥� hands instead? Our new students come to us full of ideas, stories, expertise, and curiosity. These are the essential materials for a strong classroom community. Here are a few ideas for how to put those raw materials to use:
Students work together to create classroom rules by brainstorming why they are at school and what they need while they are there.
Students write an owner鈥檚 manual that helps them get to know their classroom, provides them with a sense of ownership, and lets others know about their classroom.
Conversation and cooperation bring out the best in students when they hold dialogues about their individual strengths, abilities, and talents.
In this lesson, students build classroom community by exploring environmental print and a teacher-created display that focuses on a favorite book. They then create and share their own presentations.
How well do your students know their peers? Students transform into investigative reporters as they interview a classmate, compile the biographical data into graphic form, and introduce the student to the class.
Have you tried these or other community building activities? Tell us what works!