Building Community In The Classroom
As all educators of young children know, building a community of learners who truly care about each other, who know how to work together, who support each other in their learning, is the most important curriculum that our students receive each year.
Over and over again, research is showing that social skills is an important predictor of a kindergartener’s future success. We need to give students opportunity to get to know and appreciate each other; take time to learn about each other, to note each other's differences, and to respect other's likes and wants.
One of my favorite picture books that can teach students how important it is to appreciate each other is The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson and Rafael López. I like to read this book to my students to help them learn to respect each other and the impotance of each child’s voice.
One of my favorite activities for building a classroom community is borrowed from "Teacher Deb," a great teacher from one of my favorite teams, and the second is an activity that I have done in my classroom for almost three decades.
The first activity, "Friend of the Day," is used right from the beginning of school. The purpose of this activity is for students to notice there are other children sharing their classroom, to learn their names, and take a moment to find out their favorite color, and then help make a book for that student by drawing his picture and writing his name.
I usually do the students in alphabetical order as I am introducing the alphabet during my 26 day push. I start with the first A student and add the name to the word wall as introduced. If I have another A kid, I simply say, when introducing, “We have ___ Aa kids in our class, we will meet them another day!” I then do those students on a day that no names are represented by that alphabet letter.
After all students have had the friend of the day experience, and had the chance to carry home that adorable book about themselves, made by new friends, it is time to focus on a student a week and really learn more about their new classmates.
This activity goes into greater detail, each child has a focus week! With this activity, the purpose includes getting to know the student, but with more depth. We now look at their pictures they have brought to school, talk about their families, and then ask questions so we can know them better. It is a great opportunity for families to share cultures, traditions, celebrations, and more.
There are many literacy purposes that are included with this Star activity. We have shared and modeled reading and phonics opportunities that support the project. It really is a great literacy boosting time as well.
To further community building in the classroom, I spend an entire unit focusing on the celebrations of the students’ families!
If you are looking to build community in your classroom as a start to making this world a better place, you will enjoy both of these activities.
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Product Description
Back to School
Friend of the Day Community Building Activity
Begin building a classroom community by having a daily "Friend of the Day." This is a great way for students to learn each other's names, build friendships and more.
You will want to build on this activity by allowing students to learn more about each other as you move from Friend of the Day to Star of the Week. *Note this product is included in the Name Unit.
© Kindergarten Kiosk
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Back to School Chrysanthemum Name Thematic Unit
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Star Student of the Week
Build classroom community and self esteem by featuring "Star Students" using these student of the week activities.
This packet includes all of the instructions necessary to run a star student program. Contents include:
Step by step instructions
Student booklet writing pages
Star booklet cover (Pre k, K, 1st & 2nd)
Certificates
Dog tags
Portfolio page
Celebrate Me" book bag buddy.
© Kindergarten Kiosk
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Product Description
This family thematic unit is a collection of themed activities that will connect all facets of the Kindergarten, Pre-K, or Homeschool curriculum to family life. All activities are connected to Core Academic standards.
Contents Include:
Literacy Games/Activities:
Family Vacation: Segmenting Words
The Family Reunion: Producing and Generating Rhyming Words
Family Camping: Identifying Upper and Lowercase Alphabet Letters or Naming Letter Sounds
Family Camping: Identifying Sight Words
Animal Families: Fluently Naming Upper and Lowercase Alphabet Letters or Naming Letter Sounds
Animal Families: Fluently Naming Sight Words
Math Games/Activities:
Birth Order: Gathering, Sorting, and Interpreting Data
Family Counting Tree: Addition and Subtraction
Cookie Jar: Counting On
The Family Tree: Matching Quantity and Numerals
Guided Reading Books
The Family
Songs/Fingerplays
With My Family
Families
My Family Tree
Writing
My Family Tree: Scaffolded Writing Lesson
Family Word Wall
My Family: Writing Prompt
Social Studies
Family Traditions: The Patchwork Quilt
Birth Order: Family Combinations
My Family: A Family Home-Connection Activity
Art
My Family: Shape People