Can you picture a school where everyone is regard as if they were family? When the classroom community is enthusiastic, all of this is achievable. Creating a community in the classroom promotes student success. Students are encouraged to actively carry out their responsibilities and effectively connect with their peers in our schools by fostering a classroom community and providing them with educational activities. The advantages of community building have a thoughtful effect on pupils’ growth. In this blog post, we will examine some benefits of developing a classroom community as well as useful techniques for generating lesson plans.
BENEFITS OF BUILDING CLASSROOM COMMUNITY
While those first day icebreakers are a blast, they’re just opening act a year – long- adventure in community building. Here’s a thing: a classroom that feels like a supportive squad is a game- changer. When students feel safe, respected, and like they truly belong, they’re more likely to dive in, share their thoughts, and maybe even take a few academic leaps of faith. This classroom spirits translates to higher grades and way deeper understanding of the subject – BOOM!
This Squad- style environment isn’t just about grades and teamwork (although those are a super important too). Think of it like a built-in superhero cape for good behaviour!
When student feel connected to their teachers and classmates, it’s like flipping a kindness switch. They are more likely to treat each other with respect, settle disagreements peacefully, and create classroom that feels more like a mini utopia and less like a dodgeball during recess. By building a culture of empathy and understanding teachers can create a calmer learning environment where everyone feels comfortable working things out- imagine a classroom where everyone can feel their best selves!
So, ditch the drama, and let’s build a classroom community that’s the ultimate hangout spot for learning and growing together. Establishing a robust classroom community is akin to creating a rich environment for learning. Numerous advantages arise when pupils have a sense of belonging to both their teacher and fellow students. Above all, a feeling of support and belonging lowers fear and encourages taking chances. Students feel free to participate in class, ask questions, and make errors because they know they will be met with support rather than criticism. Because they have an innate desire to learn and work together, students interact with the material at a higher level as a result.
A vibrant classroom community also embraces diversity. Students get an appreciation for other origins, viewpoints, and pedagogical approaches. They gain skills in active listening, constructive dispute resolution, and meaningful group project participation. Effective teamwork, leadership, and a feeling of global citizenship are all strongly correlated with these social and emotional competencies. Essentially, creating a classroom community gives kids the social and emotional skills they need to succeed in a world that is always changing, in addition to the academic information they require.
WHAT IS CLASSROOM COMMUNITY?
A classroom community is a vibrant, emotionally charged space where people are encouraged to connect, collaborate, and support one another. The main relationships in the class community are the students. Creating a welcoming environment and getting to know student interests and needs are at the centre of the community. Optimize opportunities to connect with students prior to the start of the school year. Some schools value home visits to meet the student and their family. This can ease the transition to school especially when the children are at the beginning of their school journey. Students are met in the environment they feel most comfortable, their own homes. Families can fill out some class paperwork, but the focus is to start the relationship with the student.
Open houses and teacher meet and greets are another way to jumpstart the relationships with students and families. Students can see their class prior to the first day and this strategy can minimize the students’ nervous behaviour on the first day of school. Building a class community on day one starts with going over expectations. Start the morning with a student discussion to plan for ways to support maximum learning.
Class meetings are a great way to do this! Start with class rules; have the students and peers co-create the class rules. Work together to determine four or five rules the students need to foster learning, minimize behaviour and partner with their peers in a safe environment. As a class community, it is important to get on the same page.
As the school year progresses, it is helpful to keep notes on the students to identify their interests for embedding into the curriculum. Simple notecards in a recipe box is an easy way to begin. Jot down the student’s name and observations about their interests and backgrounds to refer to when planning inquiry learning lessons. When incorporating students’ interests into the class learning, the students are not only more engaged, but this strategy minimizes negative behaviour. Write down which peers get along or have struggles, ideas for upcoming learning based on what students discuss in class and a note to remind yourself about family attributes. Being a responsive teacher to student relationship is central to building a welcoming class community
INTRODUCTION AT THE BEGINNING OF EVERY YEAR
Welcome to the new academic year! Students in the same classroom may not feel as comfortable talking to one other at the beginning of the school year. Since the first day of class is when students will be getting to know one another, it is best to begin with a quick introduction. Every voice counts in our school community. Together, we will establish a welcoming atmosphere that fosters cooperation, tolerance, and inclusivity. By embracing variety, we honour every individual’s viewpoint and create relationships that enhance our educational process. We’ll overcome obstacles and celebrate successes by working together and setting common goals, fostering a culture of growth and empathy. We are stronger, smarter, and more prepared to achieve greatness in our classroom community, so let’s go out on this trip together with open minds and hearts. Cheers to an exciting year full of friendship, exploration, and limitless opportunities!
GATHERING STUDENTS FOR MEET UP
All students, take note! Come meet with us to begin the adventure of our classroom community. Don’t pass up this chance to take part in something truly unique! Come along with us as we create a vibrant school community! It might be challenging for teachers at times to devote additional time to their work outside of the classroom. But your pupils can identify and evaluate fellows who share their interests if you arrange for quick get-togethers once or twice a week. The primary benefit of a classroom community is that it makes it simpler to bring kids together and allows them to be in a community with shared interests.
THE TEAM WORKS
Collaboration is essential for success in our classroom community! We think that teamwork is powerful, and that each member may bring special talents and ideas to the table. We understand that when we collaborate, we can accomplish anything, whether it be through conversations, group projects, or giving a fellow student a helping hand. Student collaboration is taught in the classroom, which is one of the main advantages. Assigning teamwork allows students to collaborate with others and explore common interests. Students from different communities can be grouped together in one group for group tasks so they can practice teamwork. Similarly, students with similar interests are grouped together in one community. It is a significant benefit of having a classroom community. Together, we can embrace difference, rely on our power as a unit, and create a classroom community where dreams come true and teamwork flourishes!
REGULAR COMPLIMENTS
Regular praises are the endearing glue that keeps our classroom community together! We think it’s important to encourage one another by saying kind things to one another and recognizing one other’s accomplishments. Congratulating a classmate for their perceptive input or recognizing a teacher’s guidance each complement contributes to a positive and appreciative atmosphere. In order to help other students understand the interests of their peers, teachers should congratulate each kid on their accomplishments. This encourages kids to get praise from professors, which aids in their increased participation in class. It is a significant benefit of having a classroom community. By doing these small deeds of kindness, we build stronger relationships, increase self-esteem, and foster a welcoming environment where everyone is treated with respect and value. With each sincere compliment, let’s continue to brighten our school community, inspire brilliance, and spread joy!
INCREASED TRUST AND SUPPORT
Students that are a part of a community support one another unconditionally when it comes to helping one another. One benefit of creating a community in the classroom is that it encourages children to trust one another, which encourages them to volunteer for all activities. When asked to participate in class, the majority of pupils stay mute out of fear of being the last to talk. Saying, “Yes! You can do it!” while a group of people stands behind a student, encouraging and supporting them. “Speak with confidence!” will make the pupil feel less hesitant than before. He or she would at the very least make an effort to participate and step outside of their comfort zone. One significant benefit of having a classroom community is this.
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
In a community classroom, not every kid has the same background. Their backgrounds would have been various. Building a classroom community has the advantage of bringing students from different backgrounds together and providing them with an opportunity to learn more about each other’s backgrounds, cultures, etc., which inspires them to examine other types of individuals. When working on group tasks and activities, they would also actively cooperate with one another. Creating a community among peers in the classroom can help kids with health and mental issues feel less alone and more comfortable asking for help when they need it. This is one of the main advantages of creating a community within the classroom. Since they may willingly contact their community, where members are always willing to support them, students would feel less nervous about any problem troubling them.
DISCREASED MISBEHAVIORS
Young people might not always be conscious of the things they do. Sometimes they act in ways that could hurt other people without realizing it. However, some kids could act out because of past trauma, stress, or bitterness. Therefore, children of the same age group would feel more at ease and find it easier to learn good moral principles if they were placed in a group, taught positive ideals, and encouraged to perform good things together.
Children mimic the actions of others most of the time. Children are therefore more likely to acquire and practice positive values together when they are in a group. If pupils are organized into groups, it will also be easier for you as the instructor to enforce the rules and regulations in the classroom. The other students will support the rule-follower even if they are the only one who disobeys it. Building a classroom community is crucial for this reason.
INCREASED RESPONSIBILITY
The community values the activities of every student. Suppose a student realizes that his incomplete assignment will impact his fellow students and the community as a whole. In that case, he assumes responsibility for completing the work correctly and on time. Along with motivating the students to do their work efficiently, group projects make even the most boring assignments appear exciting to them.
INCREASED HELPING TENDENCY
After their families, children feel more secure and self-assured when they are part of a classroom community. They can freely express their opinions here and sense a supportive atmosphere. Every student in the neighbourhood believes they are accountable to one another and their community. As a result, each student will be prepared to assist peers in need of assistance. As a result, students grow up with a tendency to help others, which is one of the admirable traits that one should have. They develop greater altruism and are constantly willing to help those around them. =
FINAL THOUGHTS
This trait teaches them how to greet friendships and makes them more socially skilful. The finest community management in an online classroom will occur when a teacher assists students in supporting one another and developing mutually beneficial relationships.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q1. What is a Classroom Community?
A1. A classroom community is an accepting and helpful setting where educators and learners work together, value differences, and cultivate strong bonds to improve learning and wellbeing.
Q2. How do you build classroom community?
A2. Building a classroom community involves trust, encouraging collaboration and valuing every member voice and contribution.
Q3. What is positive classroom community?
A3. A positive classroom community is where students feel protected, supported and valued in classroom. Creating a fostering environment for learning ang growth.
Q4. What is the role of community in classroom achievement?
A4. The presence of a community within the classroom has a substantial impact on student progress as it offers support, motivates, and increases engagement, all of which contribute to better academic performance and overall success.
Manjeet Mehta CEO @Pesofts
Manjeet Mehta is a professional writer and also the CEO @Pesofts. He passed out from IIT Roorkee in 2013 and started their own business, thinking of the growing education sector with the help of technology. You can check out LinkedIn and follow him here LinkedIn