There is nothing more important to plan for your students during the first few weeks of school, than planning to build your classroom community. Building a strong classroom community takes thoughtful preparation and consistent implementing. A quick activity or two during the first few weeks of school is not enough to build a positive classroom environment. To build a classroom atmosphere where students feel safe to take risks and feel a sense of belonging takes many carefully planned activities and lessons, as well as the use of repeated language and clear expectations on a daily basis throughout the year. Although the activities you create can vary year to year based on your students’ interests and needs, these 8 strategies will help get you started to build a safe and positive community in your classroom from the first day of school until the last.
Have a Class Theme Song

discussing what a class in perfect harmony would look and sound like. There are
two ways that I have selected theme songs with my students. Some years I have predetermined the theme song and then together as a class, we have analyzed the lyrics, discussing why it would be a good theme song. Then I let the students give me the final OK on the song that I selected. They always OK it and then instant buy in! Other years, when my students were more mature to select an appropriate theme song, I have allowed them each to come in with suggestions that would fit our classroom and the concept of a class in perfect harmony. Students submit ideas, anonymously, then the class votes to select one. We play our theme song every day in one way or another: entry to the classroom, calm down after recess, during dismissal or just upon request. It is also a great go-to for background music for class videos or performances. The kids love to sing it together and it really connects us all! Grab this activity and coordinating bulletin board set HERE.
Set Clear Classroom Rules and Expectations

Teach Students How to Be Active Listeners
Activities that foster active listening and communication are a must throughout the entire school year. These important skills are needed by the students not only for group and partner work in the classroom but anywhere they interact with others. Being a good listener can help with conflict resolution, especially during down times like recess and on the buses. Right from the start of the year, we discuss the ABCs of active listening and then put them into action with role-playing activities. A simple way to practice these is to create a list of “problems” that the students have faced in the past (arguments over who won a game, copied an idea or took someone’s supplies to name a few) and assign roles for each scenario. Students use the strategies discussed in the poster and our discussion to help them be an active listener and resolve the problem. With consistent practice and reinforcement of these steps, students will be active listening in no time! Grab ABCs of Active Listening poster for FREE at the bottom of this post.
Practice Effective Communication

Encourage Student Collaboration and Discourse
Working together collaboratively is a skill that must be taught, practiced and monitored. No matter what grade you teach, students always benefit from the practice of taking turns speaking during a discussion. Once students have understood how important active listening and clear communication is, they are on their way to working collaboratively. One strategy that always works well to encourage collaboration with my students each year is our “Two Cents” cups. It is really easy to make these cups, yet the value is immeasurable. Grab some cups, I use plastic or paper and attach the two cents labels. Explain the meaning behind the phrase “Put Your Two Cents In”. In a nutshell, it means to share your opinion or thoughts. In the cup, place two pennies for each student in the group. (I use real pennies. I have found the plastic ones to bounce around when they fall on the ground. The kids take better care of the real pennies, too.) Each student grabs two pennies from the cup. Each time they contribute to the discussion or activity they place a penny in the cup. No student can share more than two times until each student has put “their two cents in”. This works wonders for collaboration. It encourages participation from quiet students and keeps other students from taking over the conversation or work. As the year goes on, you will find most students don’t actually need the pennies anymore and instead, just use the language of “put your two cents in” to each other when they are working. Grab cup labels to try out this idea for FREE at the bottom of this post.
Foster Kindness in Your Classroom


Have High Expectations
A true classroom community continues in a positive way even without the teacher. By having students build strong relationships with one another and creating a strong classroom community, the students can thrive on their own without the teacher present. To encourage this, of course, a little incentive goes a long way. An easy way to do have students maintain classroom expectations and relationships with you are away is by using a mystery surprise. Grab a mini whiteboard and add ten dashes. Each time the students get a compliment from a special area teacher, add a letter to build up to the words: We Did It! When all the letters are filled in, the students can earn any surprise you want. Easy, no cost prizes could include extra recess, no homework, game time (a simple game of hangman with class vocabulary words is always fun!) or sit next to your friend day. This is also a great motivator for students when there will be a sub or guest teacher in your classroom. By offering this small and simple incentive, students truly have to work together to earn it, strengthening the relationships that you are nurturing. Click HERE to read about how I teach students to make good decisions and grab a FREE decision making lesson to kick off the school year!
Remember that by building relationships, setting classroom expectations, and consistently nurturing these expectations throughout the school year is the best way to create, build and maintain a positive classroom environment.
Love the concept of putting your two cents in. I'm going to implement that in my 4-6 ELA gifted classroom. Thank you for the resource.
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