Creating a Caring Classroom

Every teacher knows the importance of the first day of school, because what happens on this day shows us how the rest of the year is likely to unfold. Thankfully, it only takes a little effort to ensure that your class gets off to a great start! I've found that if I take time to create a warm, caring classroom climate during those critical first days, the rest of the year is a breeze!

How can you create a caring classroom? I've found three strategies that do the trick:

• Engage your students teambuilding and classbuilding activities to help them get to know each other.
• Establish clear limits and expectations for behavior by developing class rules and teaching procedures.
• Plan hands-on activities that challenge your students and let them know that learning is fun!  

It's sort of like walking a tightrope at first. You want your new students to know that your classroom is a fun place to be, but they also need to understand and respect the rights of others. 

In this post I'm sharing one of my favorite activities for getting to know each other. You can find more strategies for creating a caring classroom on my Teaching Resources website.

Back-to-School Bingo

When it comes to creating class spirit, one of the best things we can do is to make sure that our students learn each other's names quickly. Back-to-School Bingo is one of the most effective activities for accomplishing that goal. Click this link to download the free Bingo board and Bingo calling cards.

Materials: 
1 Bingo Board for each student, 1 index card or Bingo Calling Card for each student, at least 20 Bingo chips or markers per person

Directions:

1. Give each student a Back-to-School Bingo Calling Card or a 4 x 5 index card. Ask them to write their names at the top and add three facts about themselves, such as favorite hobbies, where they were born, what they love to read, favorite songs, etc. 
2. Give each student a blank Bingo board. Post all the student names on the board in front of the class or distribute pre-printed class lists that have student names on them. Ask students to write one name in each block in random order. If there are more than 25 names, they should leave out their own and a few others as needed. If there are fewer than 25 students, they can add your name and a free spot or two. 
3. To play the game, give each person a handful of Bingo chips. Draw out one calling card and don't reveal whose name you've drawn. Begin to read the facts aloud, one at a time, and call on students to guess who the facts describe. When someone guesses correctly, have the person whose card you drew stand up and take a bow. Everyone in the class may cover the person's name on the card. 
4. Continue playing until someone has 5 chips in a row (vertically, horizontally, or diagonally) and calls out, "Bingo!" 
5. Repeat the game until everyone's name has been called at least once. 

This is just one of the ways that I help my new students feel welcomed and accepted. Of course we discuss rules and procedures, and we get involved in lots of hands-on lessons, right from the start. Be sure to check out the Link Up below to find out how other teachers are creating caring classrooms!