I love how quickly community can be built in a classroom if one makes the effort. I'm at a new school this year and the teachers I work with in my grade level have made it a tradition that students bring a grocery bag with a few items about themselves to share. It's really a simple thing, but it has turned out to be a wonderful community builder. We just finished our second day of school, but it is amazing to me how quickly community has been built. Sure, by the 27th bag that had been shared, kids were getting a little weary, but I spread it out over the two days not listening to more than 4 students share in a row. The 27th sharer did get a huge round of applause when she was finished sharing!
I already know that I have a student who collects elephants, a few aspiring gymnasts, some avid readers, some painters, some crafters, a couple aspiring bakers, some sports enthusiasts, one who has 500 silly bands, and that family is very important to many of my students.
I also shared a bag about me. If you've seen very many of my photos of the day, you will know that I'm a crafter/sewer/baker. Today as I left, a couple students asked when I was going to wear one of the dresses I've made soon. After the second day.
We're building community, and I can't wait to see where it goes!
How do you build community in your classroom? How do you show your students that you want to know them as a whole person?
You are amazing. How do you find time to craft in the midst of parenting and teaching? Those are some lucky students to have a teacher who see's the value in community and the necessity of deliberate efforts. And you are naturally skilled of course. Amazing.
ReplyDelete@Christy It's definitely a balance, and I only have one child at home. My craft projects are usually short and sweet and can be completed in a naptime or after bedtime. It's good for my soul, so I have to fit it in! Thanks for the comment! =)
ReplyDeleteI love the bag share idea! I am definitely adding that one to my tool box. :) I've written two posts about building community at the beginning of the school year at www.allthingspreteen.blogspot.com. You can read my ideas there! :)
ReplyDelete@LeeAnn Thanks for sharing! We also did the homework for the parents. They are "due" on Monday, but I gave them an opportunity to tell me all the great things about their child and ask questions. Some of the questions so far have been really great and a starting off point for some discussion about friendships and how to handle teasing in my classroom.
ReplyDeleteI thought the bag sharing was another great idea. It shows the students that you care about them and their interests, and that's definitely important in building community. It was nice that you shared your own bag, too. I think by revealing some things about yourself the kids can relate to you as a person and not just "the teacher." Thanks for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteThe bag sharing idea was great. We actually had to do something very close to that in my french class in 9th grade. The only difference was that we decorated the outside of the bags as well as filled the inside. And just like you our teacher Mr. Ludwig did one of his own. The difference was that he showed us his on the first day to kind of give us an idea of what to do. Thanks for sharing this great activity with everyone!
ReplyDeleteHello Becky Goerend,
ReplyDeleteThis post was informative. I have not taught a class but I will remember what you have done with yours. It is a wonderful thing to build community through sharing. I do remember having to do bring things to class and share them. It was one of my favorite things to do in school. Thank you for your post and reminding me.