Building Community and Classroom Connections in the New Year

It can be difficult to adjust back to school after the holidays. To curb burnout and uplift students and teachers, try to keep wellness and well-being at the forefront for yourself and your class!

You can implement this strategy in a way that can uplift you and your students. Being reminded of the difference you all can make can help create a positive, impactful learning environment. Things that can increase student buy-in and motivation may include revisiting class connection discussions, games, team-building activities, music, movement, and art. These can support positive energy, happiness, friendship, and hope. We all benefit from being in a positive state — especially teachers! 

Here are some strategies you could implement to reconnect with your class as you kick off the new year:

If you haven’t already added personal greetings as a welcome routine, I highly recommend it. As your students enter the classroom, welcome them with a high five, fist bump, disco dance, or some other greeting. Smile, make eye contact, and be sure they know you are happy they are there. 

A warm, personal welcome can boost happiness and connectedness in the classroom. If you have started this already, January is a great time to mix it up and try different welcome moves. Ask your students for a couple more they would like to do!

As a self-start, ask students to write down at least one thing they are grateful for that day. They could expound on it and turn it into a story during writing time later in the day. Gratitude brings happiness and has many scientific benefits, such as reducing stress, boosting self-esteem, improving health, and enhancing resilience.

Try saying positive affirmations with simple actions every day. Things like “I am kind,” “I am capable,” “I am brave,” and “I am loved” help my students immensely with their attitudes and outlook. We like doing this as a nice transition after coming in from recess every day. We end with deep breathing and positive visualizations to refocus our minds and prepare for the next part of our learning.

Remembering the “power of yet” can help students and teachers try new things while accepting that mistakes are just opportunities to learn. January is a perfect time to reflect on new ideas, discover what we want to learn, and set up a path to do so.

Set up a place during centers where students can write a kind message for another classmate. Have the students share them with their classmate, or make some time to read them out loud. Everybody loves hearing nice things about themselves.

Take a few minutes every day to celebrate individual and group achievements, both big and small. Some teachers call this routine “Grows and Glows.” We do this right before we line up to go home.

You can integrate these activities into your subject matter in a way that works for you. Anything we do that increases a sense of community and support removes barriers to connection and well-being in our classrooms. These simple activities will pay off immensely in overall success with calm and happy students and teachers! 

Warmly,

Debbie