As students progress in their school experience, they are challenged to take on greater responsibility in a variety of areas: with their academics, their work-habits and responsibilities, and with their social-emotional regulation. As we build community in our classroom, it’s important that students are a part of deciding the tone and expectations of our shared learning space. Some of the questions we’ve explored in the first month of school have been:
- 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 teachers’ roles?