understanding the impact of a positive classroom community on student behaviour and learning in the primary division
by Brittany Anne
1. Support and strengthen Peer Relationships: Circle of Friends - behaviour
1.1. Students choose a key circle of friends that that can help them to reflect on actions throughout the week/month. They have discussions (with the guidance of a teacher) of what happened and where the behaviour escalated. They discuss what could have been done to deescalate they situation. There is a signal that only this group knows when the student in need is needing to get out of situation. The group will be there to support their friend when this signal happens.
2. Using Visuals
2.1. Images on the timetable can be used to help students with dyslexia or lower literacy skills. The images on the timetable can also be on their books, linking the activity to the book required for that activity
3. TRIBES
3.1. Four Agreements 1. Mutual Respect 2. Attentive Listening 3. Right to Pass 4. Appreciations/No Put-Downs
3.2. Students work together in small groups or "tribes". Reflection is a big part in tribes. It helps students retain information and easier for students to make social connections.
3.3. Energizers Students need to energized by activity for the cerebral cortex, which is responsible for higher order thinking, to be stimulated. This helps with improving academics.
4. Physical Components
4.1. -Small groups seating - balance between structure and exploration - organization (lead by example) - balance in teacher's attire - displaying student work in the classroom
5. Non-physical Components
5.1. Finding "leader within the classroom (both academic and social) - academic: pair with lower preforming/ struggling students - social - use as a partnership
