Week 6 Reflection: Classroom Tested Resources (Teacher & Student Approved
This week I found a wonderful website called, http://www.classroomtestedresources.com/. And within this website I found a page entitled, 5 Simple Words To Build Community In The Classroom. This article was written by Erin, one of the staff writers for this website. She is a 3rd Grade teacher from New Jersey and she loves her family, reading, the beach, technology, and (of course) teaching.
Within this article, Erin talks about the words we use and the actions we take in the very first moments of our first day as a teachers and how they can carry a lasting impression on students, both good and bad. She states that we can adapt the language we use in the classroom to convey a growth mindset and we can change how we praise to be more effective. She goes on to say that positive talk can be powerful and directly impact students' performance and behavior. Erin then goes on to give us a quick phrase that will encourage independence, friendship, and kindness in the classroom. And (spoiler alert) it’s only 5 words. So what 5 simple words can help us build classroom community? "Can you help with that?" We are then given a common scenario that could happen in any classroom. We are told that we have many students with all different needs. One student, Carlos, has a question. Another, Ava, can't find her notebook. And Claire needs help finding a book. We are then told that this is just the first five minutes of our day! Erin goes on to tell us that a strong routine and an organized classroom could cut-down on some of this, but your students will legitimately need help several more times each and every day. And isn’t it our jobs as teachers to solve problems or guide students as they solve their own? |
Now this is where the article gets interesting. Erin suggests that we, as teachers, pass the buck (so to speak). Instead of addressing all your students’ needs on your own, turn to another student and say, "Can you help with that?" It does not matter if that student is an expert in that topic, but by pulling this student into the solution, you are doing three essential things:
1. You Empower Your Students
Both the newly appointed student helper and their helpee are now working together to solve the problem. This increases problem solving skills, communication, and independence.
1. You Empower Your Students
Both the newly appointed student helper and their helpee are now working together to solve the problem. This increases problem solving skills, communication, and independence.
2. You’re Building Community
Students see themselves as teachers and helpers in the classroom. Students feel comfortable both asking and giving help in a room that is set up to support that.
Students see themselves as teachers and helpers in the classroom. Students feel comfortable both asking and giving help in a room that is set up to support that.
3. You Make Students Feel Valued
If every student is a go-to helper, students will feel respected and valued in your classroom. When you ask a student to help, you are showing the student that you trust him or her.
If every student is a go-to helper, students will feel respected and valued in your classroom. When you ask a student to help, you are showing the student that you trust him or her.
I feel that this is such a great and easy way to help bring a sense of community into your classroom. However, Erin does give us a few things to think about before using this simple 5 word phrase. She says that we might be tempted to always have the same few students help. Therefore, try to pick any student - let him or her rise to the occasion. Sometimes this will result in the problem not being solved and that is OK. The most important part is that they tried and that they worked together.
Erin leaves us with the question, “How can 5 simple words build classroom community?” She tells us that after a while you may not even need to say those words as much. That with encouragement to help their fellow students from the very beginning, they may just start doing it on their own. Erin then goes on to encourage us to start encouraging students to help each other by assigning a helper on the spot. Turn "I can help you" into "Can you help with that?" and watch your classroom community grow!