“…and your kids are ok with this?” … the response I got from my students after sharing a “good thing”. At the beginning of each of my classes, I open up the floor for kids to share, “good things” from their lives with the class. It’s a great opportunity for me to get to know my students a little better and start the class period off in a positive way. Every once in a while I share a good thing as well. Before Christmas Break I shared that my family would be hiking down into the Grand Canyon and camping at the bottom over New Year’s. I wasn’t too surprised with my students’ response 😉
We really did have a lot of fun. It wasn’t easy, it wasn’t warm, and it was a little wet, but it was epic and my kids really did enjoy it! Try giving your students or kids at home the opportunity to share, “good things” today and see what crazy things they have to say! 🙂
Another way I work to create a positive classroom environment is by greeting kids by name as they walk through my door. This is another way to show that I care about them as humans, not just as another student sitting in a chair.
Setting a positive classroom atmosphere right from the start of each class period makes the rest of the hour easier. When students know that you care about them at a personal level, not just as an instructor, they’re more open to learning from you in a safe and respectful way.
