Getting to know your students is one of the most critical ways to start your school year on a positive note.
Not only will you build meaningful relationships, but you will also be building a strong foundation for the entire year to come.
Here are five tried and true ideas to get you started.
1. Learn Students’ Names
This begins on the first day of school. Yes, you will get your roster ahead of time, but it is important to make sure that you are calling students by the name they prefer.
For example, my name is Madison. When I was growing up, teachers would often look at the roster and assume I went by “Maddie.” I have never gone by that name. I was very shy as a young student, and sometimes I felt uncomfortable correcting the teacher. It was so much easier for me to clarify the name when the teacher asked me what I preferred, rather than assuming.
I love starting the year with a read aloud of The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi. In this story, the main character moves to the US from Korea. Instead of telling her classmates her real name, Unhei, she tries to pick a traditional American name. None of the names feel right.
This read aloud sparks a great conversation about respecting students’ identities and learning one another’s names.
Learn to pronounce your students’ names correctly. If you are having trouble learning the pronunciation of their name, speak to the student one-on-one to make sure you get it right. Doing this in front of the class can quickly become embarrassing, and might even lead the student to agree with your incorrect pronunciation just to be out of the spotlight.
2. Give Personalized Comments
Notice your students. What they do, how they do it, and why they do it. Then, give personalized, positive feedback.
For example, you could see a student following the directions for an activity and working well with others. You could walk by and say “Nice job!” Or, you can make things more meaningful. Saying something like, “James, thank you for including your classmates and following the directions. Your attention to detail is impressive!” is something your student will probably take to heart.
Personalized comments, where the teacher is saying the students name (correctly!) and commenting on specific student actions, foster a sense of belonging. It can also motivate the student to continue working hard or treating others respectfully.
These comments set high expectations and cultivates a positive classroom community.
3. Display Student Work
This may seem like a no-brainer, but it can sometimes be hard to stay motivated.
Since teachers have so many things to keep up with, changing up a bulletin board might be the last thing you have energy for. However, this is something that makes students’ eyes light up.
They love seeing their hard work on display. My favorite part of doing this is seeing their reactions when I hang up their most recent projects. I also love hearing them compliment their classmates’ work.
I recommend starting the year with an All About Me display. The activity below is an example of how students can share information about themselves, while also learning about their peers.
The goal of this activity is to foster positive relationships in the classroom community. Students love seeing their work come to life in a 3D format. It is much more engaging than another worksheet, and it becomes interactive when students read about each other.
4. Share Things About Yourself
Students love learning about their teacher. You might share something and find a connection with a student.
I suggest completing your own All About Me craft. This is a great way to give students insights about your personality, likes, and interests.
You might also want to have pictures of family, friends, or pets hanging near your desk. Some teachers even make collages or vision boards to hang with images that represent who they are.
This doesn’t mean sharing every aspect of your personal life. I am a strong believer in keeping a work/life balance. However, sharing about yourself is a meaningful way to build connections and relate to your students.
You can even introduce yourself to students by mailing them a postcard before the school year begins. Sending mail is a great way to get students excited for the upcoming year. You can read about the benefits of this practice here.
I also print out a Meet the Teacher page for families as soon as possible. These actions can start a conversation and help students begin to feel comfortable in a new classroom.
5. Be Willing to Listen
At school, I often feel that I am talking nonstop. I probably am. Teaching requires a lot of talking.
I often remind myself to take a step back and just listen.
There are times where I am tempted to just make an assumption for why a student didn’t complete an assignment or why they are arguing with a friend. Taking the time to have a conversation, however, is what the student deserves.
Doing this has helped me better understand my students. I know how to better support them in the future. Sometimes I learn that they need a little extra support or to spend some time with another staff member.
Taking the time to listen to my students has never ended badly.
Building Student Relationships
I hope you find these tips helpful during the school year. It make seem like a lot of work, but if you invest time in the beginning, it will pay off.
I’d love to hear how these ideas work for you, or if you have any other tips to share! Let me know in the comments below.