3 Reasons to Build Classroom Community & 4 Free Resources

Room preparation, planning, goals, objectives, data collection, and the list goes on and on. There is so much to think about and do, at the beginning of a new term. It makes me tired just thinking about all there is to do. So why take the time to build classroom community in your classroom? Let’s start with three simple reasons.

1. When problems or disagreements arise, classrooms with a strong sense of community respond better.

2. Bullying and other types of negative interactions are less likely to happen within a strong classroom community.

3. Students feel safe in an environment where teachers model trust and respect.

So, How does this class with a solid community look and feel? First, there is an overall sense of trust. Yes, this takes time, and happens in small steps, but well worth the effort. There is also a sense of predictability within the classroom. Students know and are comfortable with the materials and routines. Students are familiar with their teacher and with each other. They know what to expect. Students support and encourage one another. All of this develops over time and starts the very first day of school.

There is a multitude of ideas and materials available that are useful for community building. Today, I’ll share a few that are free and easy to use.

1. About Me Banner - Each student completes and decorates a banner flag with information about themselves. Combine the flags into a banner and display in the hall or room.

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2. Star Student Forms - Students will enjoy completing these forms with background information. Pair students and have them interview each other asking questions from their sheets. Each student then introduces their partner to the class.

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3. Find Someone Who - Students move around the room, and form pairs. They exchange papers and look to see if they can complete one of the sections of their partner's paper. After thanking their partner, they continue to another partner. Students can only complete one section per paper until they have met with each student in the class.

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4. Free Printable Community, Classroom, or Team Building Quotations - I love the power of inspirational quotes. Here are five freebies that can be printed and displayed for your class. They can be used as discussion points or simply as something to consider. Another idea is to display one of the quotes, and after discussion, ask students to paraphrase or elaborate on the statements.

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I am thinking a lot about community these days. This summer, I experienced in a very personal way, the positive power of community. Following a brief fight with a very aggressive cancer, my husband passed away. In the depths of darkness, I was, and continue to find myself surrounded by the kindness and love of family, friends, and neighbors. From across miles and years, people have shared in a powerful way their time, wisdom, and concern. For this caring community of friends, I am eternally grateful. This is the type of community I wish for you and your students.