I am so glad I didn’t end this month of posts on community building without highlighting this idea from Larry Ferlazzo. Ferlazzo’s suggestion is to teach students about community, connection, and support by asking them to write about the learning environment they want in their classroom. He asks them if they want a “community of learners” or a “classroom of students” and then asks them to write their responses. Click over to Larry’s blog to read more about this idea and to learn how a fellow teacher used it to start a conversation in her classroom.
I just love the idea of using this lesson in a diverse, inclusive classroom and letting students discuss not only their expectations for learning climate, but their suggestions for tapping into the experiences, gifts, and talents of their peers.
About Paula Kluth
