How should a classroom space feel?
What kinds of things can make it a productive space? A caring space? A safe space?
How can we all contribute to building community in our classroom?
What are your roles as a student? What are the teacher’s roles?
These are all questions we have started exploring as we reflect on our class agreements.
At the very start of the year, we brainstormed various roles and responsibilities expected from students and teachers. Several themes emerged from this discussion, and these themes are our Class Agreements. The agreements are:
- Mutual Respect
- Safety
- Right to Participate/Right to Pass
- Attentive Listening
- Appreciations/No Put-Downs
These agreements don’t happen automatically–they take work and collaboration on the part of each individual student and teacher. Because these themes can be quite broad, students worked in small groups to create Y-charts to describe what each of these agreements would “Look like,” “Sound like,” and “Feel like.” After the first round, we reflected on what each agreement meant, and what each group wrote–we discussed how we could be more specific with our descriptions. Then groups worked on adding ideas to two more Y-charts.
A couple of things I noticed during this group work:
- At first, students had a tough time naming specific actions, phrases, etc. to describe each of these categories. There were lots of notes about “Sounds respectful,” and so we really had to dig into what you would actually hear if you walked into a space where people were treating each other with mutual respect, for example.
- You might notice off-topic doodling or writing on some of the sheets. Some students noticed this, too. We discussed the idea of “respecting the work.” Especially when we are working in a group, it’s important to honour the contributions of others by offering our own quality contributions. I’ve also noticed this doodling etc on assignments. Keep the doodles to your doodle-book, and keep the assignments clear of clutter so they are easier to read. It is important that we communicate our ideas in ways that others can understand.
great idea!
I feel when someone is talking nobody should be talking over the person who is talking.
Cause today when I was sharing my quote I was being talked over, and there were side conversations and that made me talk louder and that me so nervous, and this feeling inside me that made me feel like they were not respecting their classmate. And our class needs to work on our listening to the person who was at the front trying to help, demonstrate, or more. But for the people who were calm, respectful and showing their full attention.
Thank you for sharing your experience and your perspective. Even though that experience made you feel nervous, I noticed that you were still courageous and strong. Thank you, also, for sharing your appreciation for those who were supportive by being calm and respectful. We all deserve a chance to share our ideas without being interrupted!
I think that the class should respect everyone around them .
For example: I was listening to you and some of my class mates were talking over you when i was trying to listen. I am very hopeful that everyone will listen soon. But we should listen any way. Also reading when the speaker is talking is very disrespectful.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts!