What does a Respectful Classroom Culture look like? Creating a respectful classroom culture includes four major components:
1. Teacher-Student interactions are Caring and Respectful
2. Students demonstrate caring and respect for one another
3. Teachers discover all student interests and opinions
4. Positive relationships and interdependence characterize the classroom culture
Let’s take a look at each one of these components
Teacher-Student Interactions Demonstrate Caring and Respect for One Another
Creating a positive classroom climate begins with showing respect to one another.
Teacher-student interactions are friendly and demonstrate general caring and respect. An essential skill of teaching is that of managing relationships with students and ensuring that those among students are positive and supportive.
The teacher responds successfully to disrespectful behavior among students. Remember – the minute you loose control of your emotions with a student, you have lost in getting the student’s respect.
Model respectful behavior at all times.
Students’ Exhibit Caring and Respect for One Another
Teachers most often set this in motions when they develop a set of collaborative ground rules for their classrooms and then model these for the students on a regular basis.
Establish a set of rules for that class that are based in mutual respect for one another.
Interactions among students are generally polite and respectful. Through their interactions, teachers convey that they are interested in and care about their students.
Be Consistent and Model what this looks like between students
Use a sense of humor in the classroom. Laughter can go a long ways.
Teachers Seek Out and Receptive to the Interests and Opinions of all Students
Build strong teacher-student relationships with all students by:
1. Understand each student’s learning difficulties
2. Incoporate student interests and their cultural heritage into the lessons and activities
3. Differentate instructional methods and content to ensure students have the opportunity to learn and then to master the learning
4. Be receptive to the diversity within the classroom
Positive Relationships and Interdependence Characterize the Clasroom
There are two types of interdependence that will characterize your classroom.
1. Positive Interdependence Promotes:
a. Cooperative and Caring Learning Community
b. Students work together, are supportive, and encourage each other to learn and succeed
2. Negative Interdependence Creates:
a. An unfriendly, competitive, and even a hostile learning environment where students are at odds with one another.
Needless to say, we all need to work towards the Positive Interdependence within our classroom, which in turn will promote positive relationships between all of the individuals within the classroom.
Teacher Non-Verbal Cues
An additional component to a respective classroom culture that is worth mentioning, are teacher non-verbal cues that indicate respect and interest.
These include:
1. Tone of Voice
2. Eye Contact
3. Affirmative Head Nods
4. Smiles
5. Wait Time
6. Proximity to Students
Reflecting on a Respectful Classroom Culture
The following are some questions to reflect on when evaluating your own respectful classroom culture.
1. How are students involved in developing classroom procedures?
2. How do you plan appropriate procedures to ensure a respectful classroom culture?
3. How do you build interdependence among students?
4. How do you provide opportunities for students to collaborate?
5. How do you build safety in the classroom, promoting open communication and collaboration?
6. How do you plan opportunities to teach, practice and reinforce social skills?
I hope you enjoyed your time with me today and I hope you will join me again in the coming weeks.
As always, please visit my webpage/blog for all the latest updates. Have a wonderful day.
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