How to Create a Classroom Community

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a theory in psychology proposed by Abraham Maslow in his 1943 paper "A Theory of Human Motivation“ (this was later expanded in the 1970s to 7and then later- 8 tiers). Physiological Belongingness and Love Esteem Self-Actualization Cognitive Safety Aesthetic

What does this mean for our Ss? Maslow's theory suggests that the most basic level of needs must be met before the individual will strongly desire (or focus motivation upon) the secondary or higher level needs.

Applying Maslow’s Theory to the Classroom When basic needs have not been met, children may have great difficulty learning and relating positively to others. Creating a caring community in the classroom is one of the most effective strategies for addressing children’s basic needs for physical and emotional comfort so that they can be open to learning, feel hopeful about the future, and reach their full potential for knowledge and understanding, order and beauty. Building the Primary Classroom by Toni Bickart

Beyond Discipline: From Compliance to Community, Alfie Kohn defines community as, “a place in which students feel cared about and are encouraged to care about each other.” Kohn points out that an authentic classroom community “is constructed over time by people with a common purpose who come to know and trust each other.”

Teacher’s Words “Planning perfect lessons with exciting activities looks great on paper, but will it help your students reach their potential? Probably not. If there is anything I learned during my time as a public school teacher is this: The height of student achievement is directly correlated with the strength of the classroom community.” Cammy Harbison Voxxi 2013 They don’t care how much you know till they know how much you care.”

Although building community consumes some instructional time, it can also promote academic growth. Adolescents who feel supported are more likely to do their best. ASCD.org

We know from recent studies that children who feel a sense of identity within a group are the most well-adjusted and successful in school.

Studies also tell us that some of the most important skills children need for school readiness and success are the "people skills" of social interaction, communication, collaboration, and problem solving. They are the fertile ground that supports the academics of learning ABCs and 123s! That is what you are doing in the first month of school — creating an emotionally secure "home base" for children to learn in. So don't worry if you are not teaching many specific academic skills in your first month. By focusing on establishing a safe, secure, and nurturing environment, you are teaching children how to learn and are setting the stage for the entire year.

What do you do now to create a sense of classroom community? Ss getting to know each other Collaborative learning Class motivation/Common goal Class bonding activities Physical Environment

So what do I do? Let’s look at some specific areas that help create a classroom community….

Getting Ss to know each other What do you do? Could we do more? Should we make it a priority?

Ss get to know each other “Teachers should make sure students learn the names of their peers and something special about each person. I often model how to name a special quality of each individual, using my family and myself as examples. Then I ask students to list three to five qualities they consider to be their strengths, no matter how big or small. I use this information to honor students throughout the school year.” ASCD.org

Collaborative Learning Team building activities? Well structured group work Groups - Cheating tests-group grade(memorize irregular verbs)

Common Goal - motto For example, if students have a problem getting to class and being seated on time, you might make that a goal: "Let's try for 90 percent on Wednesday, 95 percent on Thursday, and 100 percent on Friday." At the end of each class period, the students in the class can track their performance for that day, discuss progress in reaching the goal, and then brainstorm solutions to any obstacles that are preventing them from reaching that goal. Tracking goals helps students recognize they need to work together. ASCD.org

Class Motivation Tests – post results(an average as a class) and have as a class goal that they (everyone, the average), does better than before. What is the reward? Class party? If all Ss speak in English?... If all Ss do their homework?..... Video competition – I gave prize to whole class – why? to be proud of each other

Physical Environment Displayed Work What does the classroom feel like? Is it theirs? Plan to publish student work

Field Trips/Volunteerism- Class Bonding Activities Community Projects for Access Jen’s story of Ss tutoring kids in jail = wanted to do it Do you share with other classes? – read books to lower level Ss

Ss write rules on how they will treat each other Ss set expectations for themselves! Rules for their community

Give your class a visual representation Is it a hurricane? Is it an oasis? What picture comes to mind when you think of your class? Now, what would you like it to be? Picture an empty classroom, you don’t know your Ss yet, how do you want them to feel in your classroom? A place where Ss feel…

Money is not an obstacle – what does your ideal classroom look like(physically)? Can you realize this in part?

Class meeting

Student Jobs

Logistics Spend first 2 weeks/month doing it.

8. Transcendence needs - helping others to achieve self actualization. Can we help our Ss self-actualize if we ourselves are not reaching our potential? Can we do this together?