Building a Classroom Community It really boils downs to this: that all life is

interrelated. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied into a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all directly.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Purpose and ObjectivesFacilitate the setting of classroom

standards that help create a respectful and supportive classroom community

Describe behaviours that promote a positive learning environment

Discuss ways to maintain classroom standards and consequences for not respecting them

To set classroom standards that help create a respectful and supportive classroom community

How can you make a difference?The belief that one person can make a

difference is the hope of the world.Hubert H. Humphrey, former VP of the

USA

What do you think “make a difference” means?

Who are some of the people making a difference in our community?

How are teenagers viewed in our community? What might we do to reinforce the positive

view of teenagers in our community?

Classroom Community Syn- Greek prefix meaning together Ergy-Greek ergon- means work Synergy- work together Iron can be turned into high quality steel by

combining it with other metals such as nickel and copper. Each has different characteristics, but the combination is much stronger and durable than any of them alone

Group Activity Notes: Write your name in the centre A concern in the school or community Someone you respect because of what s/he

has done Something you have done to help someone A way others benefited from this person’s

actions Share your info with group members

Brief DiscussionWhat were some of the issues

identified?Who were some of the people named

who made positive contributions? What did they do? How did their actions benefit others?

What are some ways people in this class have helped others?

Diversity in a classroomWhat interests are shared by people in

your group?What are some different strengths or

abilities members of your group bring to the class?

What advantages would there be if everyone in this community were similar/different? Problems?

Ideal learning environment Think of a classroom environment where you

would feel comfortable and respected, encouraged to learn and participate

Complete hand out, Standards of Behaviour Large group sharing These characteristics can serve as guidelines

for standards of behaviour- a major step in building community

Standards of behaviour Group work: Write 5 standards of behaviour

that would bring about a positive learning environment and a sense of community to the classroom

Word in positive terms Write a one sentence description of what you

hope to accomplish with your standards E.g. To make a place where everyone is

respected, supported and treated fairly.

Gallery Tour In groups go to each poster of standards Copy down any standards you had not

thought of in your group Return to your poster and add these items Combine similar standards Delete any that are too specific Final list of 5-7

Goal Discuss the one sentence description of

what you wish to accomplish with your standards

Write a single goal from all the descriptions

Maintaining StandardsGroup work: Ways to help one another

maintain the standardsConsequences for not doing so The object of consequence is learning

NOT punishmentWhen do you change a standard or add

a new one?Review weekly

Closure How can these standards help reduce conflict

in the classroom? Sign list of standards to indicate agreement Post in visible place Each student gets a copy of the standards,

the goal and the consequences Complete Gives to Get handout

Cooperative LearnigGroups of 10 In 2 minutes arrange yourselves in the

order of members’ birthdays, by year, month, day

DiscussionWhat problems did you encounter?What were some ways people

cooperated?What would help you work together

better next time?

Team WorkStack of newspaper and roll of masking

tapeWork together for 10 minutesBuild a freestanding bridge at least 1 ft

(30 cm) high and 1 ft (30 cm) wideStrong enough to hold a paperback

book

Follow-up ActivityBehaviours of members that helped you

work togetherWhat slowed you down?Read handout pages 28 & 29What similarities , if any, are there

between our class standards and those that helped the groups work together?

Effective GroupsSafe, supportive environment that

encourages people to get involved, share ideas and work cooperatively

Five Stages of Development Page 29 handout some stages may last a day

while others may take several weeks Which stages has this class completed? What might be ahead? What skills do you think will be needed to

deal with the next stages? How can your listening skills help you cope

with conflict?

ClosureLearning to work as a group takes time Involves trying new skills, making

mistakes, talking about what happened and trying again