CLASSROOM CULTURE
GOOD NEWS
The beginning of each new week invites the sharing of Good News. The news can be anything from “I pet a cat this morning,” to “I’m going to a trapeze park this weekend,” to “my uncle won the mayorship in his town in Morocco” (all are true examples). Good News is a really wonderful way to hear about students’ extracurricular lives without having to pry or put them on the spot. It’s an open forum wherein, if students wish, they are able to share whatever they are excited about or focused on. Regardless of what the student says, the entire class gives a round of applause and cheers. Some students share weekly, some share sometimes, and some have yet to share at all, but it’s always a warm welcome to each new week as a class.
PROGRESS NOTES
Progress Notes are emails of acknowledgement and appreciation sent to students. While Progress Notes can be leveraged to address missing work or behavioral incidences, their primary and principal function is to be a celebration of students, their efforts, and their triumphs over challenges. When leveraged correctly, these notes become a space to provide feedback that affirms students’ efforts and contributions in the classroom all while forging a direct connection between the classroom and their home.
END-OF-QUARTER COMPLIMENTS
At the end of each quarter, students engage in a reflection wherein they assess their performance from the past quarter and establish individual goals for the upcoming one. A major component of this exercise asks students to reflect on how their peers helped, inspired, and motivated them during the quarter.
Students then go around and individually give End-of-Quarter Compliments to each other. These compliments can relate to life both inside and outside of the classroom, and can range in scope from acknowledging a peer for the positive energy and effort they bring to the space, to thanking them for their helpful peer review, to recognizing the effort they have put in during the quarter.
There’s always at least one happy tear shed during these exchanges, and it is a really wonderful and positive way to conclude a quarter and begin a fresh one.
SPEAKING NORMS
Listen Patiently: All hands must be down when others are talking. Respect the speaker and don’t interrupt or speak over them.
Listen Actively: Focus on what each community member is saying, not on what you’re going to say next.
Police Your Voice: Know when it is time to speak and when it is time to listen.