Developing a Supportive Classroom Community
By: Rachelle Dené Poth
As educators, one of our most important tasks is to continue to build relationships in our classrooms and schools. Getting to know our students and also working to establish connections between students will help students in many ways. Students will become more comfortable in the classroom and develop confidence as they collaborate with their peers. These are skills that are essential for their future success.
A strong classroom community is a space where students feel safe, valued, and inspired. By creating and fostering a classroom community, we will positively impact our students' academic success while supporting their social and emotional well-being and development. When we build a supportive learning community, it has an impact not only on students but also on teachers.
Why Is Developing a Community Important?
A classroom community in education is more than just sharing the same learning space. It is about having a shared sense of purpose, belonging, and feeling connected to classmates, teachers, and the content being taught. When students know they are part of a supportive community, they are more likely to engage in learning, participate in class discussions, and collaborate on projects. An environment like this provides opportunities for students to:
Engage actively: Students who feel a sense of belonging are more motivated to participate in class discussions, ask questions, and take risks in learning.
Develop social-emotional skills: Collaboration, empathy, and respect are life skills that are more likely to be developed in a positive classroom environment.
Achieve academic success: Students who know they are supported are better equipped to focus on their studies and reach their fullest potential.
Build resilience: A strong community helps students develop the resilience to overcome challenges and setbacks they may experience in learning. Building skills in resilience is vital for future success.
The Impact of a Strong Learning Community
Throughout my many years of teaching, I have seen the impact of fostering a learning community in my classroom. Years ago, I noticed students didn’t have the best interactions or opportunities to learn about each other, or even me, in our class. After making some changes to both the physical classroom space and my teaching practice, I noticed a big difference in my classroom, and so did my students. An experience like this doesn’t happen overnight. It takes a consistent and intentional plan for activities and strategies to use in the classroom.
Many benefits come from fostering a learning community in our classrooms. And these benefits extend beyond the time we spend together in class. Over time, students build confidence to share ideas, ask questions, and develop a more positive attitude about learning. In my experience, students provided more support to one another than before. The benefits extend beyond academic performance and impact students’ social and emotional growth, which best prepares them for the future. In my own classroom, after a few shifts, students told me how much more they enjoyed class. Some students even said it felt like a class family, a true learning community. When I heard these words from my students, it made a big impact on me personally and professionally. Teaching became even more rewarding, and I felt more connected to my students. These connections enabled me to tailor my teaching methods to better meet the needs of my students. Seeing and experiencing the impact is one thing, but hearing about it directly from students, as I did, gives us the feedback we need to keep taking risks and working to provide the best learning space for our students.
When students have opportunities to interact and take the lead more, they develop interpersonal skills that are in demand for future careers. Some of these skills include active listening, collaboration, empathy, conflict resolution, and teamwork. These are just a few of the top 10 skills in demand, as listed in the Job Skills Outlook from the World Economic Forum.
Ideas for Learning About Each Other
At the start of the year and throughout the year, it is important to take time to get to know each other and continue to build relationships. Educators need to better understand each student’s interests, needs, and goals for the class. The more we know about our students, the better we can provide more meaningful and personalized instruction. Here are a few ideas:
- Icebreaker Activities:
For some, icebreakers can be scary, and while they are great for getting to know others, we have to do more. Whether at the start of the school year, a new semester, or just for a break, use some fun, interactive icebreakers that invite everyone to share a little about themselves. Some examples I have used include “Two Truths and a Lie” and “Find Someone Who,” which can be entertaining and insightful, especially when you uncover shared interests and unique traits with classmates and teachers. There are even game-based learning tools with icebreaker games to try. Any of these will help to foster a sense of community, which leads to a more comfortable learning space for all.
- Sharing Stories and Backgrounds:
We want students to learn about each other. When we can, we design activities where students have an opportunity to share personal stories or experiences related to their backgrounds. Activities like this promote inclusivity and broaden everyone's understanding of diverse perspectives.
- Collaborative Projects:
Students often enjoy working with a classmate on a project. Even when students may prefer to work alone, we know that they need to develop teamwork skills so they are prepared for the future. Collaborative projects are a great way for students to learn about each other while working toward a shared goal.
- Student Surveys:
I have used a variety of surveys at the beginning of and throughout the year to learn about my students. I am curious about their hobbies, favorite classes, and personal goals for the class. I always add in some extra fun questions about music or TV preferences, animals they may have, and anything else that helps me get to know them and for them to see that they may have something in common with classmates and me! Beyond the relational information I get, these surveys provide insight I can use in my lessons by adding some of the students’ interests. It also boosts engagement and creates more authentic learning for all students.
Developing a classroom community is essential for enhancing both learning and personal growth. A strong community empowers students to feel safe, valued, and engaged in learning. It leads to the creation of an environment where they can thrive academically and socially.
By employing strategies that focus on getting to know each other, building trust, and celebrating shared experiences, educators can create a classroom that is not just a place for learning but a supportive space where students learn about the importance of connection, empathy, and collaboration. The lessons learned in these classrooms will stay with students long after they have left a particular class or their school. It will impact them throughout their lives.
This article was crafted by Rachelle Dené Poth, an independent contributor engaged by CheckIT Labs, Inc. to provide insights on this topic.
