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5 ways to boost students' sense of school belonging

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How strongly a student feels like they "belong" at their school can shape their life, well into adulthood. So how can teachers and schools help students feel like they belong?

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Ways To Make Students Feel Included in the Classroom - https://positivityguides.net/

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A big concern in any classroom is the fear that students will feel like they don’t belong. Here are a few ways to make students feel included in the classroom.

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How to Make Students Feel Like They Belong - Appletastic Learning

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These tips & ideas for how to make students feel like they belong will help you build a positive and encouraging community in your classroom.

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Student Accountability during Small Groups - Cait’s Cool School

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Keeping students accountable for work when you’re working with a different small group can be hard. Try these five strategies to keep them engaged.

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3 Group Work Strategies That Help Hold All Students Accountable

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From delegating roles to involving students in rubric design, here are group work strategies to help hold all students accountable.

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Tips for Great Group Work in the Classroom

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So you’ve gotten to know your students and created “perfect” groups based on my grouping post. Since we know that there will be team struggles along the way, how do we equip stude…

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Starting a new year in high school isn't always easy, especially when there are so many new students and teachers to meet! But the first days of school don't have to be awkward, as long as you know how to take that first step to get to know each other.

Here, we'll break down twenty of our favorite ice breakers for high school students to really get to know their fellow students at the beginning of the school year.

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Top 20 Ways to Break the Ice with High Schoolers - Teaching Expertise

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Starting a new year in high school isn't always easy, especially when there are so many new students and teachers to meet! But the first days of school don't have to be awkward, as long as you know how to take that first step to get to know each other.

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The Graduate School of Education and Human Development

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Collaborative learning - the practice of breaking students into small groups to answer questions, work on projects and learn from one another - has become one of the strongest core philosophies operating in classrooms today.

The concept is not new; much of the early research on collaborative learning (also called cooperative learning) was done in the 1980s and 1990s when most classrooms favored the traditional teacher lectures and individual student work. But with the growth of technology and the increasing value society places on the ability to work in teams, collaborative learning has become more common. Here are 10 strategies for encouraging the success of collaborative learning:

1. Deliberately select which students will work together

Left to their own devices, students will sort themselves into groups of friends who share common bonds. However, when a teacher creates the groupings, he or she can match students by strengths and weaknesses, deliberately mixing ability, diversity and social capability.

2. Size the groups for maximum effectiveness

If a group is too small, ideas and discussion may not be diverse or energetic enough; if too large, some students won't get involved. Optimum group size tends to be four to five.

3. Teach your students how to listen to one another

Among young learners, active listening isn't a natural skill. Taking time to discuss and practice listening skills with your students - teaching them to make eye contact, avoid interruption and repeat important points - has both short and long term benefits.

4. Set the rules of language and collaboration

There will always be one or two students in each group who will be more likely to take the lead - or take over. Take the time to teach students how to clarify issues, how to paraphrase, how to disagree constructively and how to build on what others have contributed.

5. Make goals and expectations clear

Specific goals and expectations are important. If students are not clear on the goals they are expected to meet, group work has the potential to trail off into socialization or apathy.

6. Assign roles to the members of each group

With roles delineated, students are able to better understand what is expected of them. With roles like leader (directs the group's actions for the day), recorder (takes notes and does all writing), encourager (enables discussion and gives positive feedback) and checker (checks the work and hands it in), its clear how each student needs to fulfill his or her responsibilities.

7. Use real-world problems, not imaginary ones

With practical, real-world assignments, students find information through research and forming real opinions. If you find a scenario that they feel involved in - an environmental issue, a recent Supreme Court case, a complicated social issue - they will take more ownership of the project. Even better, select a problem from the students' own community and challenge them to solve it.

8. Consider giving each group a different task

Delegating tasks gives each group a sense of importance and emphasizes the fact that large problems are solved by people working together. By solving different pieces of an issue, your student groups will have a more personalized learning experience and will better refrain from ill-spirited competition or "borrowing" each other's work.

9. Play a game to get students warmed up

This is particularly helpful for younger students, who may not be sure of their roles in the group or the classroom. Cooperative games require children to use the same skills that they do in collaborative schoolwork, and they can see results quickly. For example, Teach Hub offers cooperative classroom games that are appropriate for grades 1-3, grades 4-6 and grades 7-8.

10. Evaluate each group on its own merit

If you judge groups in relation to each other, students will feel like their success or failure is not entirely in their own hands. Try a system where you can give grades per how well each group met its goals, and/or how each student performed the duties of their assigned role. You can also reward by category, as in best discussions, best research or most original solution.

The Changing Trends of Education

Collaborative learning is just one of the countless ways in which education is changing today. To learn more about how you can develop your leadership potential and enhance your career with a Master's in Educational Leadership and Administration, Education Specialist (EdS) and Post-Master's Certificate from the George Washington University, request information or call 202-994-9283.

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10 Strategies to Build on Student Collaboration in the Classroom | The Graduate School of Education and Human Development | The George Washington University

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Collaborative learning, breaking students into groups to work on projects and learn from one another, has become ! of the core philosophies in classrooms today.

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Encouraging students to participate can be tricky when it comes to the kid who seems to actively avoid speaking up. I know I find it to be especially complicated when the student who never raises their hand has the most insightful, compelling ideas to share when I meet with them one-on-one. I had one student, Vanessa, who barely spoke at the beginning of the year, even though I knew she had a lot to share. I wanted to figure out how to get her to participate more. But putting a shy, introverted kid on the spot in class, begging them to participate, can be traumatic and most likely won't achieve the outcome you're looking for. So how can you get these students talking?
Further reading: Creating an Engaged and Positive Classroom Culture
Create a Safe Space

There is absolutely nothing wrong with being introverted. But it's important for kids to learn the skills they'll need to feel comfortable sharing. When encouraging students to participate, we need to make sure they feel safe contributing in class. We live in a culture that tends to reward extroversion, so it isn't easy to be more of an observer than a participant-both in and out of the classroom. Introverts watch your classroom dynamic and assess whether it's a safe place for them to express themselves. Are mistakes ridiculed? How are "wrong" answers handled? Do the same kids get your attention and praise regularly? The best way to get everyone to participate is to set up standards for all class participation that encourages everyone to try their best. Try including rules such as raising your hand when you have something to say and not calling out.
The Math is Simple: Just $6,380 a term for your teaching degree!
Start Small (Groups)

Small group discussions provide more opportunities for all students, not just the quiet ones, to participate. There is less competition between students, and the flow of the discussion can be more inclusive simply because there are fewer people involved. For more introverted students, this can feel far less intimidating because instead of speaking in front of 30 kids, they only need to face four. This will also make them more comfortable speaking up in front of the entire class later because they will have had the opportunity to work out their ideas with their small group beforehand.

This was one of the most effective strategies when I was encouraging Vanessa to get involved in class. I noticed that she was starting to feel more comfortable as I used this strategy, and not only was she benefiting from the positive feedback she received from her classmates, but they got to hear the gems of information and insight she shared.

Assign Conversation Partners

Who are the kids that more introverted kids feel comfortable around? Pair them up to discuss the subject or project at hand. Then have each pair share with the class. This way, your shyer students will know that they'll be asked to speak in front of the class, and they'll be able to prepare both intellectually (the material) and emotionally (the courage to share with the class).

Let Them Prepare

Building on the idea of a predictable event, try to avoid putting your shy kids on the spot. Ask the introverted student if they wouldn't mind sharing a specific thought or idea in class at a specific time in the future. This can be something to start a class discussion or a point to be made in the middle of the lesson. They can prepare and be ready to go when you call on them.

I also use scheduled class presentations. Every week, two students in my fifth grade class present a current events article. They speak to the class about the article they chose, why they chose it, and their opinion. I give them the schedule in advance so each student can prepare, and I intentionally place the kids who may be more nervous in the middle or toward the end in terms of timing. I also pair them with another student who's comfortable presenting so they can rehearse beforehand. It all makes a difference.
Further reading: Do Introverts Have the Right Teacher Characteristics to Succeed?
By using a number of these techniques in my class, Vanessa became a regular participant by January. Come May, she was engaging even more freely. Was she a full-blown extrovert who called out every chance she got? No, but that wasn't the goal. What I wanted, and what I accomplished, was to help her recognize her own strengths as a member of the class and encourage her to share her thoughts. When it comes to encouraging students to participate, these techniques truly work. Give them a shot in your classroom.

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Encouraging Students to Participate: How to Help Shy Students Speak Up

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Encouraging students to participate can be tricky when it comes to the kid who seems to actively avoid speaking up. I know I find it to be especially complicated when the student who never raises their hand has the most insightful, compelling ideas to share when I meet with them one-on-one.

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Getting students to participate in learning activities and discussions is challenging for many educators. Some may even say it's like "pulling teeth." When it comes to engaging shy students, however, it can be virtually impossible. These students will often rather listen, observe or even daydream rather than engage in large group discussions.

Despite how difficult it may be, participation is a key part of student learning. It's a catalyst for further learning and development. It provides a way for you - the educator - to promote active learning and assess understanding. And when students speak up, they learn to express their ideas in a way that others can understand.

We recently discussed 5 Simple Ways to Support Your Shy Students. Below are five more strategies you can use to encourage shy students to open up, answer questions and share their opinions.
1. Create a Safe Learning Environment
For some shy children, they avoid engaging in learning activities or group discussions because they're afraid to make a mistake. But creating a safe learning environment can help ease their fears and make them feel comfortable participating - even if their response is incorrect. To create an environment where these children can engage and learn, use the following tips:

Be predictable. Use consistent behaviors, routines, expectations and clear rules.

Be encouraging. Motivate students to take risks and always acknowledge their effort.

Be aware. Recognize when students are feeling anxious and avoid pressuring them to participate.

Once shy students feel safe from potential embarrassment or harsh criticism from you or their peers, they're more likely to share openly during activities and discussions.
2. Use Polling Tools
There are some students who are eager to participate at every opportunity, while those who are more shy and introverted may feel uncomfortable raising their hands to give a response. One solution is to implement real-time polling tools. This allows students to text in answers anonymously and gives you an opportunity to gauge their understanding of a particular topic. More importantly, this method eliminates the fear of making a mistake and encourages every student - even the shy ones - to be more active in activities and discussions.
3. Ask for Thumbs-Up Responses
Shy students are rarely the first to raise their hands to participate. But that doesn't mean they don't know the answer or have an opinion. That's why we love this technique featured by Edutopia called " thumbs-up responses." Replacing raised hands, this method gives everyone a moment to process the question as well as an opportunity to contribute. This also gives shy children a low-risk way to participate and allows educators to increase engagement on a broader level.
4. Arrange Students in Small Groups
As the popular adage goes, "There is power in numbers." The same is true for boosting engagement among shy students. Rather than calling on students individually, encourage the children to discuss the question in small groups and collaborate with one another to provide an answer. For shy children, this is a welcome alternative to speaking alone in front of a larger group, but it also gives them an opportunity to share and actively engage in activities. It's also another way to build community among students, which can help shyer students break out of their shell.
5. Provide Alternative Ways to Contribute
While the ultimate goal is for every student to be engaged, there are times when that isn't possible. For those students who are virtually unwilling to participate in learning discussions or activities, you must find other ways for them to contribute. Give them an important job, such as handing out materials or writing answers on the board, and recognize them for their contribution. This can help shy students build confidence and overcome any fears they may have of giving an answer or sharing their opinion.

For shy students, participating in activities and discussions can be a challenge; however, it's a critical aspect of learning. To help, incorporate a variety of strategies designed to encourage participation, like those mentioned above. The more opportunities shy children have to engage - even in non-traditional ways - the more comfortable they'll be participating in learning activities. As a result, you can help them overcome barriers to learning and you'll have a broader view of their skills and level of understanding.

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5 Ways to Engage Your Shy Students | ExtendED Notes

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Getting students to participate in learning activities and discussions is challenging for many educators. Some may even say it's like "pulling teeth." When it comes to engaging shy students, however, it can be virtually impossible. These students will often rather listen, observe or even daydream rather than engage in large group discussions.

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As any experienced teacher will tell you, sometimes the most difficult students aren't the rowdy ones, but the quiet kids. Sure, they might not disrupt your class while you're giving instructions, but as educators, we have a responsibility to ensure all students are engaged. Unfortunately, sometimes engagement is particularly difficult for shyer students. So, how do you bring them out of their proverbial shell? Here are seven helpful tips for encouraging your less-than-outgoing students.

1. Bring the shy students to the front

Don't let students pick their seats in class. Not only does this guarantee your class will be partitioned according to whatever clique breakdown your particular student body is beholden to, but it also allows the shyer students to hide. Instead of letting your students dictate the seating arrangement, you should take that responsibility. Doing so offers a range of benefits, but most significantly it forces your quieter students to be closer to you and to engage other students they otherwise might avoid. You might not always want to play the authoritarian, but in this instance use your authority to guarantee the best experience for all your kids, including your shy ones.

2. Call on students even when they don't have their hands raised

Occasionally it helps the flow of your teaching to get a quick answer from the fastest hand in the room. Most of the time, however, it's probably more helpful to give students a minute to think before they answer a question you've posed. If you wait 10, 20, or even 30 seconds, more and more hands might pop up, and some of them will be attached to students who are almost ready to burst. Still, you will always have those students whose hands never go up, even if they probably know the answer.

These cautious kids are your shy students, and you should still call on them to participate. Not every time, of course, but in your classroom, it should be common knowledge that just because a student doesn't raise his hand doesn't mean he won't get called on. This has the dual benefit of ensuring everyone is thinking when you ask questions, and it also means your shy students don't have to compete with other kids to have a voice in the discussion.

3. Get your extraverts to help

Oftentimes your less outgoing students want to participate, but their reserved natures can keep them from making the first step. Therefore, sometimes all these kids need is someone to extend a friendly hand, and there are always a few friendly, outgoing students ready to help.

The easiest way to get these students to engage with their shyer classmates is to seat them next to each other. If you have put your shyer students up front, save some room nearby for students more gifted in participation. When assigning group work, mix the different personality types and make sure shy students are surrounded by kids who are bound to ask for their input. And finally, if you happen to have a friendly student who you can rely on, take her aside and ask if she can be a "buddy" to a student who seems particularly shy. Use group dynamics and your organizational skills to bring out the best in your introverts.

4. Always remember to involve them

This might be the most obvious tip on this list, but it's also very easy to forget. Sometimes it's just more convenient to let your more active students set a quick pace for the class. It makes it feel more like you're being listened to and that you're getting somewhere. School is, by its nature, a social exchange, so it makes sense that the more sociable participants will simply play a bigger role, right?

Wrong. As tempting as it is to lean on your star students or even just the ones who like to participate more, it is your job to keep everyone in the loop. Pay attention to who you call on. Make it a priority to hear from each student at least once a day. And even if it means work getting done a little slower, encourage your shy students to take on leadership roles during group work.

5. Take a minute to talk to them one on one

Some of the best parts of being a teacher are the relationships you build with individual students. Obviously, this is easier with some students compared to others, and sometimes notoriously difficult with shy kids. Still, one of the best strategies for helping these students is to try and foment a strong student-teacher relationship, and a great place to start is talking to them one on one.

Again, with shy students the problem isn't a lack of willingness to participate - it's more a personality trait or a lack of confidence. But by taking them aside and talking to them individually, you are accomplishing two things. First, you are showing you actively care about them even separate from the class. Also, you are addressing one of their biggest concerns - that they're too shy. Let them know it's okay, and not everyone has to be an outspoken participation hero. But also challenge them to try and engage more than they otherwise might. Chances are they'll take your advice to heart, and if they do they are sure to be more vocal.

6. Be patient

All of the above tips are very useful, but they should also be tempered with another critical piece of advice: don't be pushy. Give it time. Your shyest students won't get over it on day one, or even week one. If you're a champion teacher, you might have made some tiny progress by month one. And that's okay; part of the process is letting students learn to be comfortable with you and your class. Forcing them to engage will only make them resent it. This isn't to say you shouldn't be proactive, but part of getting shy students to engage is understanding who they are and what their needs are, and that takes time. Once they feel comfortable, some of their reticence to participate will fade.

7. Be vigilant

While you're being patient, however, you should also be paying attention. Shy students have a way of signaling they're ready to engage more, but if they feel like their early forays into greater participation aren't acknowledged, they'll go right back to being the quiet kid. So, watch their behavior and how they respond.

If you notice more laughter, or the occasional under-the-breath comment, that means they probably have something to say. If they linger after class to chat with you, take a minute and do so. If you see them trying to work themselves into a group of students, quietly help that student join, whether it's by changing seats or nonchalantly telling the other students to make room. Whatever it is, pay attention to signals - if you've followed the rest of these tips and catch a signal, you have the chance to turn an otherwise shy and unconfident student into a superstar.

What do you think? How do you help shy students? Have these tips worked in your classroom? Let us know in the comments!

This article was written by Adam Hatch - UC Berkeley graduate, son of a teacher, brother of a teacher, and a teacher himself. Adam started a unique English school in Taipei, Taiwan, where kids learn to research and write articles in English. The articles are published on the first ever English newspaper written by kids in Taiwan, called the Taipei Teen Tribune.

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7 Great Strategies for Dealing With Shy Students

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As any experienced teacher will tell you, sometimes the most difficult students aren't the rowdy ones, but the quiet kids. Sure, they might not disrupt your class while you're giving instructions, but as educators, we have a responsibility to ensure all students are engaged. Unfortunately, sometimes engagement is particularly difficult for shyer students.