SUBSCRIBE FOR ONLY $16.99!

The Importance of “Belonging” in the Classroom

Advertisement

Classrooms should be built on the philosophy that everyone is equal and everyone belongs. This includes caring for one another, implementing safe behaviour and actions toward one another, supporting one another, helping one another, and tolerating one another. By encouraging your students to treat others the way they would like to be treated, your classroom can be transformed into a cooperative and honest environment, suitable for learning. By creating an inclusive classroom that fosters great morals and a sense of belonging, students can find confidence in themselves and, in turn, have a healthier learning experience. Below is an activity that can be adapted to fit any grade level.

Activity

Introducing and implementing “belonging” in your classroom.

1. With your students, brainstorm what it means to “belong.” Begin with an inclusive brainstorm with all of the students and write it on the board. Then have your students individually write down on a piece of paper what they think it means to “belong.”

2. Have your students then reflect individually on where they feel like they belong and where they feel they don’t belong.

Ex. A place where I belong is __________________________________

because ______________________________________________

A place where I don’t belong is ______________________________

because ______________________________________________

3. Then, as a group, come up with answers to the following questions:

(1) What does a classroom where all kids belong look like, sound like, and feel like?

(2) What does a classroom where kids do not belong look like, sound like, and feel like?

This can be presented in chart form on the board so that students can see it, hear it, and think about it.

4. Ask students to reflect on times they were included, when they didn’t belong, when they saw someone else not included, or when they didn’t include someone. After giving them time to think about it, bring the class together and discuss how these ideas can be put into action and made better.

The preceding was adapted from Learning in Safe Schools by Faye Brownlie and Judith King, published by Pembroke Publishers.

Avatar photo

TEACH is the largest national education publication in Canada. We support good teachers and teaching and believe in innovation in education.

Education News

Trent University and Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine Launch First-of-its-Kind Double Degree

Students will graduate with both a Bachelor of Arts and Science and a Doctor of Naturopathy degree in this accelerated seven-year pathway.

Communities Nationwide to Defend the Freedom to Read at “Right to Read Night” During Banned Books Week

At a time when the very freedom to read is at risk, communities across the nation are joining together for Right to Read Night, a powerful evening of discussion, reflection, and action.

Debut YA Graphic Novel Explores Grief, Friendship, and the Great Unknown

This Fall, Emanata, the young adult graphic novel imprint of Conundrum Press, will publish “Quiet Crossings,” a poignant and visually rich debut by Toronto-based artist Vivi Partridge, with colour by Janaina Spada.

Leaves and Literacy: 8 Strategies to Get K–2 Students Back into Reading This Fall

Fall is a season of fresh starts. The habits established in these first months ripple forward into lasting reading success.

Join Our Newsletter

Join now for a chance to win 1 of 2 $25 Indigo e-gift cards this month!

TEACH Magazine
TEACH Magazine
TEACH is the largest national education publication in Canada. We support good teachers and teaching and believe in innovation in education.

Advertisement

Read More

Planting Seeds of Knowledge: Life Lessons from an Educational Farm

Waynesboro Education Farm is an ambitious project. It sits on 1.5 acres of land adjacent to Berkeley Glenn Elementary school in the city of Waynesboro, VA.

Trent University and Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine Launch First-of-its-Kind Double Degree

Students will graduate with both a Bachelor of Arts and Science and a Doctor of Naturopathy degree in this accelerated seven-year pathway.

Communities Nationwide to Defend the Freedom to Read at “Right to Read Night” During Banned Books Week

At a time when the very freedom to read is at risk, communities across the nation are joining together for Right to Read Night, a powerful evening of discussion, reflection, and action.

Debut YA Graphic Novel Explores Grief, Friendship, and the Great Unknown

This Fall, Emanata, the young adult graphic novel imprint of Conundrum Press, will publish “Quiet Crossings,” a poignant and visually rich debut by Toronto-based artist Vivi Partridge, with colour by Janaina Spada.

Explorations in Biology Through Origami, 3D Modeling, and Optical Illusions

Blending art and biology through hands-on paper-folding activities is a fun and unique way to engage students at the elementary level.

4 Places Teachers Can Buy Custom Assistive Technology Devices for Schools

Custom assistive devices empower students with disabilities by fostering independence, building skills, and supporting full inclusion in the classroom.
caliente com casino | casino caliente com | big bola casino queretaro | casino logo | blackjack online 888 | ruleta gigante en power point | kickapoo lucky eagle casino hotel | contestar formulario de google y ganar dinero | top casino | 1xbet | donde publicar un libro y ganar dinero | mazatlan casino | como demandar a un banco por daños y perjuicios | codigo promocional casino online | casino agua caliente tijuana | casino de montecarlo | leyenda del casino del diablo | casino de chihuahua | mandalay bay resort and casino | casino tijuana | casinospel gratis slots | live poker casino online | calientesports mx liga mx | sunset station hotel and casino | maquinitas progresivas | juegos slots gratis | ganar dinero con encuestas de google | winpot | 7 casino | como hacer mi onlyfans para ganar dinero | coin slot | play city casino acoxpa | como ganar dinero con adfly 2017 | fallsview casino resort | caliente mx deportes | casino español cdmx | juegos casino caliente | casino casino | promociones casino | casino quemado en monterrey | paypal ganar dinero 2017 | tragamonedas casa de juego | slot coin | novibet mexico | ruleta dias de la semana pdf | casino red cancun | slot free online | hoy 777 casino | casino gratis slot | casino caliente | tragamonedas viejos | brazino 777 | ganabet casino | fortune slots | se puede ganar dinero con blogger | casino puerto vallarta | manos de poker | como ganar dinero sin tener trabajo | los mejores casinos online | ruleta electrónica casino | ganar dinero jugando poker | hard rock casino hollywood fl |