The other day one of my less participatory students described our classroom as “welcoming” in his writing journal. I was pleasantly surprised by his point of view and reflected on what might make it a positive space him and his fellow students. Here is a list of what actions, arrangements, and routines contribute to our positive classroom community:
- Greet the students as they enter the classroom every morning.
- Incorporate Tribes activities on a monthly basis, or when needed.
- Allow students a few minutes to chat and get settled before beginning the first lesson of the day.
- Arrange desks in groupings of different sizes to suit the needs and learning preferences of the students.
- Provide bean chairs/big pillows for students to use when reading or working independently or in small groups.
- Invite students for class discussions or read-alouds at the class carpet. They choose to sit on the carpet or bring their chair.
- Display student writing, math problem solving, art, and student book reviews or graffiti on walls around the room.
- When there is an issue, address it quietly in the hall or away from the eyes of peers.
- Provide a round table in the centre of the room for casual teacher-student conferences and peer meetings.
- Check in with students as they leave for home each day.