Anne Ham:
In August the staff at Field School spent some of our staff development time with Dan Creely. Dan spent the day at our school teaching the staff team building activities to use both as a staff and in our classrooms. As fifth grade teachers, my team and I have been able to incorporate several of the ideas Dan used that day as well as other activities from a previous workshop into our classrooms.
From the first day of school, all of the teachers on the fifth grade team have used a morning greeting with the students. This greeting is a high five, a handshake or a hug. This greeting is simple way to acknowledge everyone in my class. Most of my students choose the high five although a couple insist that a high five isn’t enough. They need a hug!
A month after school started our class size increased above the limit for our grade level. We hired another 5th grade teacher for our team. This transition was very difficult. We had to move children to the new classroom. Just being able to continue that simple greeting with my former students as they headed down the hall continued my connection with them.
The fifth grade team also has incorporated the “five finger contract” into the daily life of our classrooms. This contract includes safety, commitment, respect, teamwork, and fun. As part of our class meetings we cover these five components and use them as a guide to set up our classroom norms. The norms are revisited on a regular basis to make sure they are still relevant to our classroom.
We have also used team building games as a way to help strengthen the bond in our classrooms. These have included such activities as “Frogs and Lily Pads” and building inventions. During our three day outdoor education trip to White Pines Ranch in Oregon, IL, the students had many opportunities to experience team building activities.
I truly believe that these experiences have helped to create the bond among my students and me. Each year I will continue these practices knowing the benefits of them.
Anne Ham,`5th grade
Eugene Field Elementary School
Park Ridge, IL
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Kathy Erlandson:
At the start of the school
year, I attended our school’s in-service entitled, “Going From Good to
Great.” During the workshop, ways in which we can positively impact
and bond with our students. One of the ways the presenter makes a
connection with hiscollege students that particularly impressed me is that
in each and every class he teaches, he offers the students a choice of
how they “check-in” with him each day, either by hugging, tapping knuckles,
or giving a “high five.” “How neat that would have been if
I had received that simple gesture from some of my instructors,”
I thought, as I was one of those quiet kids who would often go unnoticed.
Since the beginning of the
school year, I have employed that simple technique, which I strongly feel
has strengthened the bond I have with each of my students this year. Every
day, I make a conscious effort to connect in this manner with all of my
students, at the beginning and end of the school day. Some behaviors
I have observed since implementing this simple greeting strategy are:
If I should get involved in something and not be at my post outside the
door, I have kids seeking me out for their “high five.” If a child
accidentally forgets to connect on the way out, I’ve heard her say, “We
need to say goodbye to our teacher. C’mon, we’ve got to go back!”
A boy who was identified as rather cold by another teacher always makes
sure he gives me a hug each day. Some of my very shy, reserved children
are the ones that seem to need a hug the most. A few even give
me a hug before they go to lunch! The best reaction of all is the
big smile I receive as each child enters and leaves my classroom.
As was emphasized during the in service presentation, never underestimate the influence you have on the kids you teach. Knowing you care enough about them to hook-up each day is one way to foster a positive climate, which, in turn, creates an optimum learning atmosphere. I think you’ll find the kids won’t be the only ones who will benefit!
Kathy Erlandson