Building a Positive Classroom Community

We all have our own ways to make our classroom a comfortable, welcoming place for all of our students.  I have found that the best ways to make my classroom that welcoming "second home" where everyone feels loved is through Morning Meeting and our Trust Board.

I know many teachers come up with class rules or a class contract collaboratively with their kids (And I have absolutely nothing against them).   You talk about expectations, come with up rules, and sign to promise you will do your best to follow the classroom rules.  Our Trust board is essentially the same thing but we write them as "Trust Statements."  And let me tell you...  Kids are really heartbroken when you tell them.. "You broke my trust and your classmates trust.. and most of all, you disappointed yourself.  You promised that you would do your best to be a trustworthy student in our class.  How are you going to prove that we can trust you again?"  

We created our trust board by thinking of 3 things:

1.) What do you need to do in our classroom to achieve your goals?

2.) What should students in our room be doing to be sure our classroom runs as smoothly as possible and is a fun/welcoming place for everyone?

3.) What do you need from Ms. G to make this the best year ever?

After, we talk about the word "Trust" and come up with these trust statements. (See picture!)  We refer to these often during Morning Meeting & throughout the day.  We also take some time during Morning Meeting to dive right into one of our statements and break it apart.  What does it look like?  What does it feel like?  What does it sound like?  Why is it important for us to have this trust statement?  How does it help make our classroom make a fun/enjoyable/welcoming place?

We love our trust board! :)