All Together Now!

Tips to teachers for building a positive classroom community that will foster students’ progress as a group

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Creating a positive classroom community from Day One
No matter where and how you teach, the likelihood is that you'll be faced again this year with students unfamiliar to you and to one another. How can you ever get them to work together, respect each other, and build new friendships? Start from Day One by celebrating what you have in common, then continue to use these community builders all year long.
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Begin the year with a "getting to know you" activity Give each student 15 minutes to find classmates who fit various categories, such as "Can play a musical instrument," "Has a birthday in November," and "Knows the state flower." Students should not list the same person in more than two categories.
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Try to identify the student who might turn out to be your biggest behavior problem and involve him or her in helping you to improve the classroom (moving furniture, drawing a floor plan, hanging posters). This child can be a key to building your community.
Offer opportunities for students to assist one another with activities such as making announcements to the class, passing out papers, giving instructions on computer use, and writing on the chalkboard.
Work together for a goal. If your school has fundraisers or contests, pull together to win a prize as a group. Then enjoy the rewards together.
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Allow students to help with classroom decor (see pages 3435 for ideas) and organizational planning. You might ask each student to design an attractive name card for a child who sits nearby. Laminate cards and attach to the tables or desks so they last all year.
Give rewards for no reason at all. "Just because I like you" is reason enough for the class to get an extra 15 minutes on the playground or the choice of a favorite book for you to read aloud. Do not make students earn each kindness you do for them. Teaching them to expect rewards (particularly food-based rewards) each time they show good behavior is also a mistake that's hard to correct. Simple kindness and respect present a great model for students.
Don't give up. An overall sense of community will not develop overnight, and you may notice lapses in behavior  name-calling, or even fighting. Do not dwell on the negative, and remember to recognize and praise the students' progress as a group.


Mary Rose teaches fourth grade at Lake Sybelia Elementary in Maitland, Florida, and has more than 25 years experience in education.

Mary Rose has more than 30 years of classroom experience and has taught kindergarten, 1st and 4th grades. She earned her undergraduate and masters degree from Marshall University and received an Educational Leadership Certification from the University of Central Florida. She has been a long-time contributor to Storyworks and Instructor magazines. Mary Rose currently teaches fourth grade at Lake Sybelia Elementary School in Maitland, Florida, and conducts reading and writing workshops around the country.