Make Your Classroom a Community

How can you use writing and critical thinking to establish an open, accepting tone that creates a joyful, engaged atmosphere for learning? A few thoughts:

  • Set positive classroom rules. Involve your students in setting the “golden rules.”
  • Be sure to intervene in bullying or intolerant situations.
  • Get students to share their ideas and experiences in writing. The interactive lessons encourage students to express their perceptions of themselves and others.
  • Use the power of “Thank you!” Enlist students in sending thank you notes.
  • Students should see people like themselves in classroom materials. (Our student booklist may help you build a collection in your classroom.)
  • Partner with parents. Use the E-card application to get the conversation started. Click here for a parent/guardian send-home letter. You can print to send or save and send as an e-mail attachment. Invite families to visit the section just for them on this site.
  • Join the conversation! Share your ideas, questions, and concerns on the message board.
  • Self-reflection is key! Give some thought to your own feelings, ideas, and actions.







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