Embedded Files
It is important to get to know students as both people and as students to ensure they feel safe, represented, and understood in the classroom. Below you will find some ways to build classroom community, as well as some reflections to consider.
It is important to get to know students as both people and as students to ensure they feel safe, represented, and understood in the classroom. Below you will find some ways to build classroom community, as well as some reflections to consider.
TVDSB Essential Conditions for Learning
TVDSB Essential Conditions for Learning
Physical Classroom Set-up
Physical Classroom Set-up
What is the main focus of the room, and is it centered on student needs?
Are the materials in the room accessible to all students?
What is on the walls? Does it reflect multiculturalism? Does it involve honoring the students in the room, in the community or missing voices?
Can the room’s setup easily accommodate movement?
Have students played a role in the set up?
Have students contribute to defining and structuring the classroom culture and rules
(From Textured Teaching)
Accessibility and Wall Use
Accessibility and Wall Use
The materials in the classroom should be accessible across various needs. These needs include neurodiversity, or different ways of learning and thinking, as well as languages, tastes, and more.
If you want to invite students to collaborate and see the ELA [English] classroom as a reflection of the working world, set up tables and chairs in a way that promotes group work
Be thoughtful about how you decorate or use your wall space. Aim for student work to be on your walls equally, if not more, than teacher-centered or prepared materials. Be deliberate about including marginalized populations.
Consider your walls as an additional learning space and use them strategically to support your students...imagine the walls as an extension of your syllabus.
(Adapted from Textured Teaching, 29)
Example English Classroom Wall Content
Example English Classroom Wall Content
For Student Learning
Anchor charts explaining key concepts that you will revisit throughout the year
Reading strategies
Grammatical or writing key concepts revisited during writing lessons
About Student Learning
Learning goals for the year or per lesson/unit.
Anti-bias/anti-racism statements about learning and education
Values around books, authors, and education
By Students
Co-constructed definitions
Exemplary work that can serve as a model (being sure to diversify what that looks like)
Ideas for Building Classroom Community
Ideas for Building Classroom Community
Set the tone - Wordle/ Book Talk/ Free Write/ Pun or Wordplay of the Day
Play Music at End/ Beginning of class
One Thing I Wish My Teacher Knew
Weekly Class Meetings - highlight of the week/ share a compliment
Classroom Challenge - Write a Thank You Card - Top Ten Lists - Would You ?
VNPS
Thumballs
Exit Cards
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