Relationships in progress

The first few weeks of school are always so crazy and overwhelming, partially because you try everything new all at once that you researched and prepared over the summer. The other reason, probably the more dominant one, is that there are no relationships built with your new class and their parents. All those things you did last year, were with a different set of kids, interests and levels. And, it's the first thing you forget as you start the new year so it's the most overwhelming aspect of your new classroom atmosphere!

That's why it is ALWAYS my main focus, once I get a fantastic classroom atmosphere...I've got them ready to actually do the learning. The first week was filled with get to know your classroom activities, partner work (A LOT of group work), buddy reading and, of course, morning meeting. I think the one thing that solidifies positive classroom atmosphere is morning meeting. It's an easy way to implement feelings, building relationships and compassion for each other. Everything they did the first week of school was in pairs, so they could get to know each other as much as possible!

This year we have kindness jars. Simple concept, if a kid is caught being kind then they get to put a pom pom in the jar and their is a kindness monitor who is in charge of handing out the pom's. Well, I took it a step further and made a Shout Out jar. I don't have a kindness monitor, all kids are in charge of their own kindness. If someone was kind to you, you write in on an index card and put it in the Shout Out jar. My hope and goal is to have an afternoon meeting where we wrap up the day and end with the kindness jar, that hasn't happened quite yet so it's just happening throughout the day. I read the statement, we clap for the kind person, and they pick a reward...still not sure how I feel for them getting rewarded for being kind but I'll feel that out as well.

With parents, I choose to email all my parents and leave them a delightful little message to let them know I'm excited to get to know them and their child. I hope that opens up the line of communication so parents now I'm here for them and that I'm in this for their child! I've also sent home positive notes and emails to parents, especially the parents that were worried about their child's behavior so they knew how their child was doing.

Check out Mrs. Avery's classroom blog to watch a video of our first week together as a class!

What else do you think I should do to build our classroom atmosphere?