I know…we’re tired of being told that building relationships with students is key. And there’s no quick fix…it takes time! But developing strong relationships with your students can significantly impact classroom dynamics in a good way!
Check out these great ways to build relationships with students
Showing genuine interest in the lives, aspirations, and concerns of our students is the best place to start.
- Ask students about their evening or plans. Share what you’re hoping to do after school. The next morning, show that you remember what was said by asking how the evening went. It’s simple, and it leads to dialogue that builds a relationship
- Bring up your previous discussion at another time in the future and share more.
- Make a positive call home to families.
- Write something quick on a note and place it on a student’s desk in the morning.
- Let students know you heard them. Ask about a comment they made or a piece of writing. I have another blog post specific to just this topic. Read this blog post for even more great ways to build relationships with students.
- Make a connection with something they’ve done in their lives or a feeling they have.
- Front load information about what you’ll be doing today and ask what the student knows. If it works, bring up the conversation when you give your lesson.
- Have calming tea in the classroom. When a student seems upset or needing a break, flick the electric kettle switch and make them tea. If possible, sit with them during break time or recess and have a cup of tea as well.
- Go out on the playground and walk around. See who comes up to you and notice a student that’s on your radar. What are they doing? Is there a game they like? How can you make a connection there?
- Bring in something from home that you’d like to show the student based on previous discussion.
- Comment on and ask the student about a book they are reading. I think participating in literature circles with your students builds bonds as well. Find everything you need to run literature circles in your classroom.
Show your personality and your humanity.
- Apologize when you make a mistake.
- Show your vulnerability. Nothing has built my classroom community more than this.
- During free time, play games with your students.
- Let students see you laugh.
- Show your excitement for something you teach. Kids love when their teachers show their love for the topic.
- Actively listen to students so they feel heard.
Ask students what works and offer choices.
- Provide limited choices. This way, you’re still giving choice but within a selection that works for the classroom and you.
- If you know a student needs more supports, ask the student to come up with a list of what works for them when they’re having a tough moment.
- Ask the student about their triggers. It’s helpful to know what sets them off because you can let them know if there might be a trigger in the upcoming schedule, lesson, etc. You are also better able to avoid those triggers once you know what they are.
These are some of the easiest ways to build those relationships with students.
Pin this blog post to a relevant board for later.
You also might like reading these other helpful blog posts. Just click the images.
Happy Teaching!
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