Group Salutes: A moment shared between two or more students at the beginning or end of an activity, a Group Salute is a teacher-prompted interaction that is a quick, low-prep way to cultivate community. Participants should be committed to communicating with their pen pal at least once every 2 weeks. *Be mindful some students, faculty and staff are not on (or cannot access) Facebook. These questions reveal our basic psychological needsfor emotional and physical safety; for close, supportive relationshipsa sense of connectedness (Resnick et al., 1997) or belongingness (Baumeister & Leary, 1995); for autonomy, or a say in what happens to us; and for a sense of competencea belief that we are capable people and able to learn. After a few timed minutes, have students pick up one paper each, read the answers of their peers aloud, and offer a brief reflection or insight. There are a lot of different ways to be successful at Cal and it is important that we share those stories and try to validate interests in pursuing STEM pathways by making this information accessible for all. We practiced box breathing (exhale for four counts, hold for four counts, inhale for four counts, hold for four counts, repeat) and a five-minute body scan, like the one below. (Iris Acosta, Chemical Engineering). Students in schools with a strong sense of community are more likely to be academically motivated (Solomon, Battistich, Watson, Schaps, & Lewis, 2000); to act ethically and altruistically (Schaps, Battistich, & Solomon, 1997); to develop social and emotional competencies (Solomon et al., 2000); and to avoid a number of problem behaviors, including drug use and violence (Resnick et al., 1997). (Lorena Valdez, Transfer Student Center), Watch A Movie. After they posted their own videos, we asked them to reply to at least one other persons introduction. Let us know in the comments. In fact, the most healthy, engaged and sustainable communities are often the result of a co-creation between multiple members of staff and student leaders. Theres some interesting datasupporting this idea: Researchers found that NBA teams whose players touch the most early in the seasonhigh fives, fist bumps, etc.had the best records later for the season. Before our summer institute began, we asked our Teaching Project participants to create short Flipgrid videos introducing themselves, including their name, pronouns, subject area, location and the answer to a fun question of their choice: Whats your favorite show to binge-watch? We gave participants four minutes to chat. Like the inclusivity and social justice signs that now populate many yards and windows nationwide, guide your students to work in teams to establish classroom values and represent them for visual display. Student-centered Consider providing space for students to take care of themselves and build healthy spaces for them to connect and release stress. (Rebecca Anderson, School of Information), Thank you to all the advisors that submitted these great ideas and shared ways they have been building community. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(9002597, '27c9cd14-01af-403b-bee0-f98b6269c948', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); Our mission is to empower students and educators to cultivate peaceful, engaged school communities through the regular practice of trauma-informed mindfulness techniques that support mental and emotional wellbeing. Hometown was a big factor as they could have opted to connect in person, (physically distant of course). Using the TechnoInclusionTMframework allowed us to do that, for example by highlighting the narratives of various STEM role models (like a Nuclear Engineering major who is part of a Mariachi band). It could be general or have a specific theme or topic. Will they care about me? Or, Will I be able to do the work here? Another day, we asked them to find a New York Times headline that reflected their moods. The idea is that were moving around. The only rule was that you couldnt write your own name. Researchers have found that the positive effects of certain community-building programs for elementary schools persist through middle and high school. 15 Simple Ways to Build Community in the Classroom at Every Grade Level. ), The construction of children's character, part II: 96th yearbook of the National Society for the Study of Education. Educators across the country are wringing our collective hands over the increasing academic and opportunity gaps exacerbated by this closing. Also consider who is in the virtual and non-virtual room, such as family members or roommates, and how this may impact students abilities to engage at the same level. Effects of an elementary school intervention on students' connectedness to school and social adjustment during middle school. Create the cover. Summer Sessions also sent trivia challenges to all visiting students and staff mailed prizes to the winners. How can we adapt and change the way students receive support, engage in community, and experience a sense of belonging? The shared gesture can be physicallike ahigh fiveor sociala teacher could ask students to express gratitude to their group members. Whatever we can do to help students feel seen is engaging them. (Lorena Valdez, Transfer Student Center). We put participants in groups of two, but if youre starting the school year with this activity, consider that students might feel most comfortable talking in a group of three or four. Prompts can be sent in advance so people can prepare. After four minutes, we brought them back to the main Zoom room. What would be on your mind? Receiving genuine praise for positive behaviors from ones peers can be validating and uplifting for the giver and receiver alike, along with other students in the class. Try creating cozy nooks for students to play and read, integrating soft toys and stuffed animals, hanging art, laying rugs, and bringing nature inside with a fish tank or houseplants. Along with creating the opportunity to teach, cultural appreciation (versus cultural appropriation, ) and the history of Hawaiian people and culture, the practice of. If students have Netflix, consider using Netflix Party, a Slack Channel, or a Group gChat for engagement. Discover ASCD's Professional Learning Services. Grab something: I received in the mail that Ill never throw away, buyers remorse, I got on a trip etc. if you have a question about what is or is not accessible. At year's end, they show their mutual appreciation by exchanging thank you notes or gifts that they have made. For instance, the Berkeley International Office recently launched a Global Pen Pal program that matches international students with other students to connect from a distance and take part in cultural exchange. New York Times Teaching Project summer institute. Your students might need more or less time. Ask the mentors to identify structured topics or questions to bring to conversations, and to hold those conversations regularly. Lastly, do not hesitate to encourage students to take advantage of, In an ever-changing and always dynamic time, consider how to connect our community building efforts to what is rising in the world around us. An alternative is to host the same event more than once that caters to different regions of the world. July 2020.). Students will need a piece of paper and a marker so their text is easy to read on the screen. Thinking Beyond Zoom: Alternative Platforms For Online EngagementA pro of utilizing Zoom is most students are very familiar with this platform. Class meetings are useful for setting goals and norms, planning activities, and identifying and solving problems. Consider adding reflective journaling activities, such as asking students to consider anothers point of view and what they would have done if they were in that persons shoes. Whether or not these student leaders are student staff, we encourage setting expectations and orienting them in FERPA and virtual community building. Utilize this free interactive digital whiteboard in a variety of ways such as brainstorming ideas and/or ice breakers. They are essential for building peer relationships and fostering shared goals in the classroom. Using a tree branch for a 3D effect, help students identify and write down one thing they are grateful for each week on a paper leaf and watch the gratitude tree grow as you attach the leaves with staples or string. Below are a few recommendations on providing accessible virtual community spaces. Teachers have long known that feeling safe and secure in school helps students focus their energy on learning. Nancy Schlossberg argues that belonging and mattering are intertwined, and when one is made to feel that they belong, one feels like they matter. Utilize a pre-existing game website such as Kahoot, GoGame, Jackbox and Skribbl, Breakout Rooms. Assign them in pairs or small groups based on commonalities. Ideas for creating authentic connections, meaningful relationships and classroom camaraderie through the screen. Can be used for an icebreaker or game like pictionary. Governor Babagana Umara Zulum on Thursday paid a visit to Damboa town and Garjang community, both in Damboa Local Government Area in the southern part of Borno . sharing one rose (something positive) and one thorn (something negative) each. Consider having cohorts set up its own to use. Buddies programs help create powerful cross-age relationships, teach important social skills, and create a caring ethos in the school. (Lorena Valdez, Transfer Student Center), Host an open mic that encourages students to share spoken word, songs, visual arts, etc. and offer multiple pathways for students to connect with their community. A screenshot of some of the introductory videos Teaching Project participants made using FlipGrid. Were able to have fun, laugh, scream, be loud, and then have that discussion about stress, says Marcus Moore, an advisory leader at Urban Prep School in Chicago. Be sure to check out the Advising Matters best practices and resources for more information. It's more than "relationship building," it's investing in those around you who share your same mission. Using a 2013 state-wide survey of school districts in New York, we conduct multivariate analyses to assess determinants of joint use service sharing. Like food, water, and shelter, feeling a sense of community and group belonging is a fundamental human need that enables us to thrive at every age. They were provided guidance in that they were to meet every day for 30 minutes and discuss a topic provided usually centered around a presentation given that day. Students have reported that visual indications of socio-economic differences, for instance, have created inequitable dynamics in the virtual world that were not as outwardly apparent in a classroom setting. Ask a volunteer to lead the activity or utilize a YouTube tutorial. Students can see the roster and who else is in the cohort. Affirms racial, cultural, and gender identities to foster positive academic and social outcomes; demonstrates a commitment to dismantle supremacies and centers marginalized experiences; addresses racial injustice such as Anti-Black racism, Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, Xenophobia with courage and consistency. Community building should becomeat a minimuma strong complement to the prevailing focus on academic achievement. (Kathleen Cooney, Physics Department), Art Project. Student-centeredTo create belonging and build a community where each individual can bring their full authentic self, it is important to recognize the global, holistic needs and humanity of each individual. An alternative is to have students watch a movie asynchronously, and come together for a discussion later. You can start with a one-minute meditation and work your way up to 15 minutes. (Joelle Miles, Physics Department). (Joelle Miles, Physics). Maina Maina. How to Meditate, an article from the Well section, offers a step-by-step guide with various techniques, as well as audio guided meditations. Edutopia covered that study last year, andweve shared many other ideas from teachers for ensuring that every student in the classroom feels like they belong. Consider providing space for students to take care of themselves and build healthy spaces for them to connect and release stress. Reflect on how to share about yourself while maintaining healthy boundaries. Remember to be mindful of supplies, ask a volunteer to lead the activity or utilize a YouTube tutorial. However, since students are in class all day on Zoom and increasingly using it for extra-curricular activities like internships, jobs and clubs, fatigue can occur. Schoolwide community-building activities link students, parents, and teachers; help foster new school traditions; and promote helpfulness, inclusiveness, and responsibility. Group OptionsIntentionally bringing groups of students together opens a natural opportunity for connection. If your department has developed a community building program that youd like to share please submit it, Advising and Student Services at UC Berkeley, Equity Oriented Advising & Coaching Program, COVID-19 Resources for UCB Student Services Staff, Excellence in Advising & Student Services, Student Engagement and Services work group, Community Building & Supporting a Sense of Belonging Among Students. Picture the scene. Your Own EngagementWe are all a part of the Berkeley community and as such, can gain much from connecting with one another. When a school meets students' basic psychological needs, students become increasingly committed to the school's norms, values, and goals. We invited students to add a video before orientation began. You might be wondering, Will I make friends here? We repeated the process a total of three times. In addition to the virtual norms of community you create with students, be aware that the physical environment students are in may impact students comfort levels with sharing. A low-stakes thorn might be I feel tired. Yet many students choose to share more personal items, like My thorn is that my dog is sick and Im really worried about her, writes Alex Shevrin Venet, a former school leader at a trauma-informed high school. Social Psychology of Education, 4, 351. Utilize a pre-existing game website such as, . For instance, the Physics Department held a Strike for Black Lives event earlier this summer in response to the recent uprisings across the US and, Black student and alumni athletes used their voices to demand change in this powerful video. . If you like Whats Going On in This Picture? An annual survey of this sort can help assess a school's overall effectiveness and how well specific community- building efforts are working. They were also provided with guidance on listening skills, zoom etiquette, etc. Every older student gets a younger buddy for the year. Students as Partners in Community Building, Ways to Build Community in a Virtual Environment: Examples from Campus Colleagues, Whether or not these student leaders are student staff, we encourage setting expectations and orienting them in, Be cognizant of and responsive to students varying levels of. The Math Department offered to provide student affinity groups additional funding for these events, boosting existing student energy and supporting student leadership. They come from the community building exercises we used during our three-day virtual New York Times Teaching Project summer institute. Consider reaching out to the Berkeley International Office or International Programs at UC Berkeley Extension if you have a question about what is or is not accessible. the giver and receiver equally, and may even help boost learning new motor skills and behaviors. Most colleges and universities have traditionally provided in-person programming and supports to strengthen bonds between students and build a sense of community. They were provided guidance in that they were to meet every day for 30 minutes and discuss a topic provided usually centered around a presentation given that day. Try holding regular Compliment Circles, where each student has the opportunity to randomly draw a name and offer a compliment to their fellow student. What is Community Building? While community building takes intention and effort, it does not have to be one advisor's responsibility to create and sustain. Participants discussed the answers in the chat and on the mic. (Lorena Valdez, Transfer Student Center), Open Mic. In addition, the Career Center is planning events to prep students on how to be career ready in uncertain times. A one-on-one pairing program from the Berkeley International Office that matches international students with domestic students to allow participants to make connections from a distance, and take part in cultural exchange. Flexible & adaptableCreates an environment and tone of compassion for students navigating ambiguity; makes a commitment to being nimble and flexible in response to emerging situations and information; creates processes that are responsive to on-going operational and societal changes and adopts structures, activities and tactics that are creative and innovative. 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