A classroom serves as a space for students to learn and engage with new ideas. But did you know that the culture in your classroom can have an impact on how willing those students are to learn and engage? By setting a positive classroom culture, you can help nurture students to not only better grasp the educational components of their time in your classroom but the social and emotional skills they also need to succeed.

Developing a space where students feel a sense of community, togetherness, and open-communication will allow them to feel more empowered in their educational journey.

Here are some tips on ways to keep your classroom a positive space for growth and learning:

• Prioritize preparation - By ensuring that your classroom is well-organized and equipped for lesson plans before students enter can help cut down on chaos and time wasting. Show your students that they are a priority by having a classroom that is always ready to hit the ground running.
• Ask for opinions - Find out from your students what will help them feel more comfortable in your classroom. Some responses may be silly but some may help you create a space where students want to engage and increase the likelihood of authentic buy-in.
• Communicate honestly - Don’t wait until a student is failing to address an issue. Keep open lines of communication with your students and their guardians to help get ahead of negative conversations.
• Have fun! - Start class with a warm up! A fun brain teaser, a brief game, or a team building exercise can help students relax and be more open to engagement with classroom content.

For more on creating a positive classroom culture, check out these articles:

Creating a Classroom Culture of Shared Ownership

Empowering Student Voice Through Classroom Culture

Stories Help Build a Strong Classroom Culture

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