Building Community In The Classroom
As all educators of young children know, building a community of learners who truly care about each other, who know how to work together, who support each other in their learning, is the most important curriculum that our students receive each year.
Over and over again, research is showing that social skills is an important predictor of a kindergartener’s future success. We need to give students opportunity to get to know and appreciate each other; take time to learn about each other, to note each other's differences, and to respect other's likes and wants.
One of my favorite picture books that can teach students how important it is to appreciate each other is The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson and Rafael López. I like to read this book to my students to help them learn to respect each other and the impotance of each child’s voice.
One of my favorite activities for building a classroom community is borrowed from "Teacher Deb," a great teacher from one of my favorite teams, and the second is an activity that I have done in my classroom for almost three decades.
The first activity, "Friend of the Day," is used right from the beginning of school. The purpose of this activity is for students to notice there are other children sharing their classroom, to learn their names, and take a moment to find out their favorite color, and then help make a book for that student by drawing his picture and writing his name.
I usually do the students in alphabetical order as I am introducing the alphabet during my 26 day push. I start with the first A student and add the name to the word wall as introduced. If I have another A kid, I simply say, when introducing, “We have ___ Aa kids in our class, we will meet them another day!” I then do those students on a day that no names are represented by that alphabet letter.
After all students have had the friend of the day experience, and had the chance to carry home that adorable book about themselves, made by new friends, it is time to focus on a student a week and really learn more about their new classmates.
This activity goes into greater detail, each child has a focus week! With this activity, the purpose includes getting to know the student, but with more depth. We now look at their pictures they have brought to school, talk about their families, and then ask questions so we can know them better. It is a great opportunity for families to share cultures, traditions, celebrations, and more.
There are many literacy purposes that are included with this Star activity. We have shared and modeled reading and phonics opportunities that support the project. It really is a great literacy boosting time as well.
To further community building in the classroom, I spend an entire unit focusing on the celebrations of the students’ families!
If you are looking to build community in your classroom as a start to making this world a better place, you will enjoy both of these activities.
