Culture-it-up in your classroom

Having a positive classroom culture is one of the most important elements of a successful learning environment. What will a classroom be without encouragement and a positive environment to mould the learners of the future?

Learners have a better likelihood of success when they feel connected to their workspace and immediate environment. They feel more wanted if they know that their teachers care about them and invest in them as individuals. A school must provide high expectations combined with high levels of support, a focus on positive teacher-student relationships is absolute key and let’s face it, teachers are the stand-in mom and dad during the day who need to provide a safe place for learners where they can pour out their hearts to you about their personal problems as well.

Here are 6 ways to build a positive classroom climate so your learners feel connected and ready to take over the world!

1. Have high expectations for your learners when it come to their work and their behaviour! Expect that they will do well and encourage them by letting them know that you believe in them. Be the support system they need!
2. Set up fair and consistent behaviour management processes in your classroom that are agreed upon and clearly understood! Give them opportunities to learn how they should behave and let them know that you are not there to play games. Be approachable and fair, but you are not there to be their new best friend. Be in it to win it!
3. Focus on building positive relationships with your learners. Allocate time and energy to listen to them and get to know them as human beings, each with their own personality.
4. Use effective, evidence based teaching and learning practices. Be prepared for your classes by considering your learners and how they best learn. Provide relevant and engaging curriculum, presented in interesting and student-centred ways.
5. Grow those positive relationships with the parents so that they share your high expectations for their children and you can work as a team to educate. Teamwork makes the dream work!
6. Encourage positive relationships between learners. Be the respectful role model you want to see in them and always take note of your actions.

Children, teenagers and all of them alike are like sponges, we might not always believe that they listen and do as we teach, but you can bet your last Woolies sandwich that your actions might be a direct result of their reactions and who they become as adults.