The first step in creating a community in the classroom is having a strong basic foundation with the students as a whole. I believe there are basic ideals that have to be taught and modeled for the students to maintain a community in the classroom.
- Respect - The teacher must model respect for her students. The teacher must always display respect for other teachers and adults as well as her own students. Talking about what respect is and why it is important not only in the classroom with each other, but outside of school and home as well. A good way for younger students to respect each other in the classroom is by sharing toys, books, crayons, pencils - all the items they used throughout the day. Older students can demonstrate respect for one another with the help of group sharing and group projects. By having students share their work with one another, they learn to use respect when addressing and critiquing their work. A respectful classroom will also allow students to feel comfortable sharing their ideas and their work as well as voicing their opinions. A community thrives on good communication, which will happen in a classroom that values respect.
-Talking about and celebrating our differences - Instead of teaching that everyone is the same, teachers should celebrate similarities and differences between the students. Appreciating every ones different strengths and weaknesses, different ideas, different cultures and traditions can help strengthen the community bond within the classroom. Fostering a classroom where every child gets to know their peers on a personal level also strengthens the community feel of the classroom.
In Walking Trees, Ralph Fletcher creates communities in classrooms by inviting students to share their work and really putting their heart and soul into what they write. Not only is he modeling a respectful and caring classroom, but he is fostering an environment that allows the students to write about what they believe in; really using their writing as an outlet for their experiences and ideas. This really allows the students to get to know each other on a more personal level and really helps them to feel connected to each other. These are the very basic and vital pieces of a classroom community.
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3 comments:
Respect is so important and I don't think we see too much of it happening today,especially in the media. There are television shows and music that degrade genders and cultures, and politicians that are rivals at one turn criticizing and judging, then the next supporting and praising each other. This sends mix messages, especially to children, so I think teaching the foundations of what it means to be respectful like you mention is a vital part in creating a classroom community with the lessons extending way beyond the door.
It's amazing that writing can create a community, but it does. The fact that you are opening up yourself to others.I believe that as teachers we need to explore ourselves as writers in order to influence our students as writers.
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