Community Building
What is Community Building?
Why is Community Building Important?
My Experience in Community Building Outside of the Classroom!
Community building and community building activities are something I’ve participated in throughout my entire life! I have done community building activities throughout school, but also when working in an office, as a ferris wheel operator, as a church youth leader, and as a camp counselor! In each of these places I led or participated in group games/activities with the goal of strengthening relationships and building community.
Community building in the classroom is about creating unity between students and their peers, and unity between the teacher and students. Community building is for creating strong relationships between everyone in the classroom. Creating a healthy and positive social atmosphere will help create a space where students and the instructor feel safe, a sense of belonging, and committed to shared learning goals.
Community building is crucial for a positive learning environment! Research has shown that when students feel loved, supported and connected to their teacher and classmates they are more likely to take ownership and responsibility for their learning. It is so important that students feel safe, respected, and seen within the classroom environment. Students who do not feel safe in the classroom will not learn as efficiently if they learn at all. Strong community is also very helpful for students struggling with trauma and emotional needs.
Pictured Below: Some of my awesome 6th grade small group girls and I on a church road trip last summer!
Pictured Above: The office staff of Universal Plumbing and Sewer on Pajama Day!
Pictured on the Left: My lovely coworker Marissa and I operating the drop tower!
Setting Classroom Norms
Instead of the teacher creating set expectations for the class to follow, student can create the classroom expectations. By allowing students to create the expectations students can take agency over their behaviors and learning. Teachers can facilitate this discussion by asking students how they want to feel when inside the classroom. Based on student responses, the class and teacher can compose a list of expectations that will ensure every feels safe and comfortable in the classroom.
Student Shout Outs
Once a week students will write an anonymous positive note about one of their classmates. The notes can be encouragement, of compliments on a classmate’s character. a These notes will be read aloud to the class to encourage students and build self-esteem. This activity will also strengthen classroom community and empower students to lift one another up.
Family Involvement
Family involvement is so important for many reasons! Family involvement increases students motivation for learning, and is proven to increase student scores and learning. I plan to feature each students family in my classroom by showcasing images of everyones family. I plan to invite parents to volunteer for read-alouds, holiday parties, and tutoring. Parents will also be given photo and written updates on the activities the students and I are completing in the classroom.
Repeat After Me Songs
During my time spent as a camp counselor I learned so many repeat after me songs! Repeat after me songs are silly, non-academic, interactive songs led by a song leader. The song leader sings a verse of the song and the rest of the class repeats the line. My personal favorite is called “Fishy Fishy in a Brook.” Depending on the song, repeat after me songs typically have body motions to get kids up and moving! I will utilize these in my classroom as brain-brakes and ways to build unity.
Poisonous Dart Frog
Classroom Jobs
Classroom jobs are also super effective in building classroom community. Giving students jobs in the classroom helps students build a sense of ownership and respect for their classroom. Class room jobs also teach students about teamwork as students work together to complete small jobs under the guidance of a teacher. Also, students absolutely love having responsibility assigned to them each day, and feeling like they are part of something bigger than themselves! Plus, who wouldn't want 20 little helpers? :)
A few community building activities…
Ask/Tell Jar
An Ask/Tell Jar is a great way to build relationships with students. The teacher would place a jar on their desk and tell students they can write a note to ask a question in private, report a harmful behavior, or report a positive behavior. There are so many things a student might want to share with their teacher and this jar can ensure that all requests and heard and responded to despite busy school days.
“Who am I” and “Where I Came From”
This community building activity aims to celebrate and represent the students, their families, and their cultures. This activity will occur over the span of 2-3 days in the beginning of the year! Students will use magazines, construction paper, glue, crayons, markers and other supplies to create a collage titled “Who _(student name)_ Is.” Each detail added to the collage will represent an interest, hobby, characteristic, or preference of the student. Students will be asked to bring in photos of their family as well as an object/ snack/book/story/song/game that represents their personal culture. The collages and family photos will be displayed within the classroom throughout the year!
Morning Meetings
These meetings will occur every day before we begin class work. Morning meetings are a great way to create community inside the classroom. By checking in with each student I can ensure that students feel seen, known, and cared about. These meetings give students an opportunity to practice social skills and problem solving skills. Morning Meetings help build strong relationships, serve as an emotional check in, and can be an outlet for mental health supports.
Free Choice Time
Free choice time is free play time in the classroom where students can play with toys, color, play games and puzzles, etc,. Free Choice time teaches students to interact and problem solve, take turns, wait for a turn. Students learn social skills when they’re interacting with other students and using social skills during free choice time.
Star Student of the Week
Throughout the school year each student will have an opportunity to be the “star student of the week” during this week the student will bring in and show and tell: an object that represents who they are, an object that represents an interest or hobby, a favorite book, and a letter to read to the class. The letter is written to the student by a parent, myself or any other staff member, family friend, or relative. During this week the student will be celebrated. This activity helps students feel seen, loved, and supported. This activity also builds community by helping students get to know each other on a deeper more personal level.
