Building Relationships at Freedom Hill Elementary

FCPS has identified building relationships essential to impacting student achievement. FCPS expects teachers to "Build collaborative and respectful relationships with students, colleagues and parents." Additionally, FCPS teachers will, "Consistently encourage, support and appropriately challenge students to ensure student success and they will facilitate development of relationships among students to promote mutual respect and support in their classroom."

Many teachers have made building relationships a focus in their classroom as the new school year begins. Part of building relationships include creating a classroom environment where students feel comfortable and supported. Furthermore, teachers can build relationships by adding excitement and anticipation to their classroom. In second grade, Erika and Marissa covered their classroom library and other centers with butcher paper. A "coming soon" message covered these books shelves, and as they orient students to the classroom, they plan for the big reveal. Imagine a second grader's anticipation to come to school and finally find out what is behind that paper!? Also a great classroom management tool, teachers can make a slow reveal of their classroom and ensure routines and procedures are in place for every aspect of their classroom environment. A simple way to do something different. Students remember when teachers do things differently.

In fifth grade, Charlene relied on technology to help build some relationships in her classroom. Using Wordle, she built her class list, used a color copier and had a great visual for her students on the first day. By adding just a bit of creativity to the otherwise routine task of typing a class list and posting, she sent a clear message to her students that she is going to go the extra mile for them. Students, although they may not always express it, recognize when their teachers go above and beyond what is expected to make their learning experiences powerful and meaningful.

Several icebreakers were used by various teachers during the first week of school to help students get to know one another. In the days of high stake testing and overloaded pacing guides, teachers sometimes forget (or feel they can't) engage in these fun, get to know you activities. Research tells us this is false. Research overwhelming tells us a child will make significantly less academic advances if he or she is in an environment that is not supportive. Be it from the teacher or classmates (or both). Additionally, when students feel "friendless" or have an inability to fit in, academic success in many instances is compromised.

Therefore, it is a teacher's responsibility to facilitate classroom interactions that promote student friendship and collaboration. Educators often think this will just "work itself out"; quite the opposite. Icebreakers are ideal for the first few weeks of school as well as throughout the year. You can never go wrong when you build activities to encourage cooperation, friendship and teamwork.

Here are a few examples of the "Diagram Me" activity. Students answer questions about themselves and then cut our their responses. With a partner, they glue their answers onto a venn diagram. Students are able to clearly see commonalities with classmates. One second grader in Ms. B's class thought it was, "Cool that my partner and I had the same favorite TV show. I think I want to talk to him about it at lunch."

With all the stresses of an educator's job, sometimes we forget about the easiest one - and certainly the most crucial. "Being there" - "Being there" for our kids and wow'ing them everyday.

How will you wow your kids this week?

How will you excite them?

How will they remember you?

Be sure to check out the Building Relationships tab on 24/7 Learning.

Resources aplenty!