Fostering Classroom Communities: A Resource Guide by Kay Gottlieb

kgottlieb32 — 2024-05-04 18:21:12 UTC

This book revolutionizes the way we think about classroom community by rethinking the punitive and disciplinary measures that often fragment it.

kgottlieb32 — 2024-05-04 18:29:50 UTC

Carla Shalaby's novel urges us all to think differently about how we perceive and interact with students who we see as "troublemakers." A gripping collection of portraits of four young students, this is a must-read for teachers who want to reimagine what inclusivity and community look like in their classrooms.

kgottlieb32 — 2024-05-04 18:40:33 UTC

"Lessons In Liberation" provides critical context for understanding the oppressive, unjust measures that disproportionately affect so many students. This book will allow you to reimagine the classroom as an abolitionist space that frees students from the systemic inequities that fracture their sense of community and belonging.

kgottlieb32 — 2024-05-04 18:42:21 UTC

This talk with academic and advocate Bettina Love provides a great deal of information on abolitionist pedagogy as well as concrete steps for actualizing it. Make sure to check out the Plain Text version of Abolitionist Principles embedded in the site. You can also access it here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oA6k8GbXUEMBcNASy_zSStSsEhIwb_nltWa8vDDOakI/edit#heading=h.qlco3kdzpcs7

kgottlieb32 — 2024-05-04 18:44:26 UTC

This book will transform the way you think about and approach conflicts in your classroom. Understanding and implementing restorative practices will allow you to foster and deepen community through collaborative, collective problem solving.

kgottlieb32 — 2024-05-04 19:01:50 UTC

Bettina Love's "Punished For Dreaming" examines how the Reagan Presidency kickstarted dangerous narratives about and perceptions children of color that pervaded schools in the form of policies that disproportionately punished these children. This book will have you questioning whether the educational reforms in our nation's history did more to disenfranchise students than to empower and support them.

kgottlieb32 — 2024-05-04 19:05:31 UTC

"We Got This" is all about the power of actively listening to students. Further, it outlines concrete strategies for rethinking what access to content and community looks like for all students.

kgottlieb32 — 2024-05-04 19:08:26 UTC

One of the best books I have ever read, "It Won't Be Easy" validated so many of my personal and professional struggles and reaffirmed my love for this. This is a must-read for all teachers - you are doing great.

kgottlieb32 — 2024-05-04 19:15:24 UTC

"Our Class Is A Family" is such an important reminder of what a "classroom" really means. It helps redefine "family" as those who make you feel safe and accepted.

kgottlieb32 — 2024-05-04 19:18:36 UTC

Written by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, "Just Ask!" is a great read-aloud for a lesson on or conversation about collective needs. It also teaches students about how to approach and understand differences in ways that build connection and community.

kgottlieb32 — 2024-05-04 19:24:25 UTC

"The Circles All Around Us" is such an important story about new friendships and experiences. It uses a circle as a metaphor for our world getting bigger with each year and interaction- our circles only evolve if we are kind to and welcoming of others.

kgottlieb32 — 2024-05-04 19:27:16 UTC

This is a wonderful book about the importance of approaching problems (and especially the most daunting or formidable ones) with grace and grit. It encourages students to view problems as opportunities for growth and learning, rather than as insurmountable obstacles.

kgottlieb32 — 2024-05-04 19:31:32 UTC

I read "I Am Human" to my students every year. It is very hard to teach empathy, but we need to try in order to build the communities we prize. This is a beautiful story about making thoughtful, compassionate choices. It demonstrates what having empathy can look like both for other people and for yourself.

kgottlieb32 — 2024-05-04 19:35:22 UTC

"More Than Words: So Many Ways To Say What We Mean" is an important story about the different ways we can communicate and build relationships. This book teaches us that self-expression can look different for each and every one of us, which makes seeking to understand one another all the more important.

kgottlieb32 — 2024-05-04 19:49:49 UTC

Gratitude Slips are a wonderful way to recognize each member of the community for their contributions to the whole group. The teacher cuts out these slips and gives every student a set. The student then gets to distribute one slip to each member of their class. The goal is to ensure that every student both gives and receive a slip. (There is also an option to do a Gratitude Circle whereby each student says the name (or names) of those they want to dedicate their slip to).

kgottlieb32 — 2024-05-04 19:58:27 UTC

Community circles with a restorative-justice focus allow students to learn about and from each other while also developing a strong sense of trust. These circles can be used to talk about important questions and/or collectively address any harm to the community and its members. With a clear sense of purpose (as determined by the teacher or anyone who initiates the circle), these can be incredibly effective and strengthening community bonds and/or repairing those that have been severed. Here is a brief article on community circles (from which the image was taken): https://www.ascd.org/el/articles/community-circles-build-restorative-school-cultures

kgottlieb32 — 2024-05-04 20:07:14 UTC

I love the idea of co-constructing a Kindness Calendar- students and teachers together can come up with one act of kindness for each student to perform. Students can have their own copy, which they color in at the conclusion of each day if they have committed the kindness act. The idea of co-creating the calendar can help ensure the acts of kindness benefit the classroom community and its members. This image is from "Natural Beach Living."

kgottlieb32 — 2024-05-04 20:14:17 UTC

Empathy mapping for collective needs is a great way for students to come together to check-in with themselves and/or address a class-wide issue. An empathy map can help students plan for how they and their peers might think about or experience a problem or respond to a given circumstance. It can also be used as a general check-in activity, whereby students can write freely about how and what they are feeling. Lastly, it is a useful tool for comparing how students perceive they might feel about something and how they actually do feel if and when that something happens. Empathy maps help promote self-reflection and collectively problem solving. Further, they allow students to learn about and better relate to one another. https://hope4hurtingkids.com/emotions/overcoming-emotions/the-empathy-map/

kgottlieb32 — 2024-05-04 20:29:41 UTC

"What Would You Do?" activities are a great way to inspire critical thinking and group-decision making. Teachers and students both together and separately can come up with scenarios that they present to groups or pairs. Students have to talk openly about what they would do in response to the scenario and why. These can be silly questions or realistic classroom dilemmas for students to consider and plan for collectively. This activity is also a great way to learn about students' values and beliefs. https://www.twinkl.com/resource/what-if-flashcards-t-c-2549306

kgottlieb32 — 2024-05-04 20:34:05 UTC

These inclusivity posters are a great way to decorate your classroom or students' work spaces. They can be found for purchase on Teachers' Pay Teachers or here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UvC_z8lXnNEBmrl50MeW_d20rBTMY6J7/view?usp=sharing

They are simple, succinct reminders that each student is a vital, celebrated member of their community.

kgottlieb32 — 2024-05-04 20:48:12 UTC

I love the idea of teachers collecting photos of students (of course with the students' guardians' permission) and pasting them in the center of these circles. Then, the teacher can give the students the papers to fill in the blanks or add information. I envision putting all of the finished circles up on a classroom wall and inviting a gallery walk to view all of the different, meaningful communities students are a part of. file:///Users/kaygottlieb/Downloads/CommunitiesFREEBIE-1.pdf

kgottlieb32 — 2024-05-04 20:51:54 UTC

These self-compassion reminders, which I found on Canva (linked below) are simple, powerful affirmations that should be made visible and accessible to students. Though it is of course incredibly important for students to have empathy for others, they also need to be able to demonstrate self-compassion and self-love. https://www.canva.com/design/DAGETBuISDw/AGD9F1zsTDzwygdjKKuU0A/edit

kgottlieb32 — 2024-05-04 21:00:26 UTC

There is a whole package of social justice posters on Teachers' Pay Teachers that features anchor charts like the one above (apologies if it's a bit blurry). I love the idea of featuring prominent historical and/or current figures who have fought for peace, justice and equality. Perhaps as the school year progresses students can add the names and photos of other important people who have impacted the world in positive, long-lasting ways. I would also encourage each student to include an image of themselves and a note about something they have done to better the world. Here is the link to the poster package: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/K-2-Social-Justice-Posters-Kid-Friendly-I-Can-Anchor-Charts-4739756