Getting to know your students is never a bad idea. There are seriously only benefits to getting to know the students in your classroom that you’ll be with for a whole year. In some cases, you will see these kids for more hours than their families will. It’s important that you take that responsibility seriously. Here’s how to do it
Let them get to know you.
I have a “meet the teacher” letter I drop in my Google Classroom each year. It has a photo of me and some things about me. It talks just a tiny bit about my teaching experience and education, but mostly about me outside of school. I want the kids to know that I’m willing to open up about myself as a human being. It invites them to do the same. Plus, families can get to see your face and learn about you if they can’t make it to any of the school events and meet you in person.
Ask get to know you questions
I have 180 questions of the day (link here for FREE) that you can ask your students. They can be done during attendance time, or be used as journal prompts. Perhaps you’ll use them to group students, or when there’s just three minutes left in class and you don’t know how to fill the time.
Take an interest in what they do.
When kids come to talk to you, try not to blow them off. I know it’s hard because there’s a zillion things to do each day, but see to it that you take some time to talk to them about what’s important to them. It can be art, music, TV shows, fashion and other topics.
Attend School Events
When your students are active in school events and activities try to go. It certainly doesn’t always fit in your schedule, but it’s important. The school is a community. When you go to the art show, basketball game or spring musical, you are by default taking part in the community and taking interest in the things the kids do. You may even find yourself in good graces with the other kids in the school building potentially years before they make it to your classroom.
Get to know families and the community.
The more you know about the families and the community the greater your relationship will be with the students. It also helps with parent relationships when talking about students.
And here’s why you want to do it:
It makes your job more enjoyable. Parent contact is a lot easier because they know that you love and care about their kids. The kids will care about you and let you be a human on the tough days. The kids root for you and appreciate what you do for them. They know that everything you do comes from the heart. The kids will work hard because they know they are in a loving environment. Your classroom will be a warm, happy and safe place. And potentially most importantly kids know that they can go to you for help when they need it.
When you are planning lessons for people that you like, people that you know and people that know you, your job is SO MUCH EASIER. Take the time for getting to know your students and I promise you won’t regret it.
