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How can I form a classroom learning community in which all students feel like valued members?

Building a learning community around students is essential when working with all students, but especially when working with diverse learners. In order to have a classroom where students are willing to take academic risks and truly stretch their thinking, it is essential that they have positive academic relationships with their teachers and their classroom peers.

Tools and resources	Descriptions
Strategies for creating a supportive environment for at-risk students	This tool presents a list of strategies for assuring that at-risk learners will feel comfortable in your class and thereby able to function as an integral part of your classroom learning community.
Establishing and teaching rules for a classroom learning community	A teacher's rules constitute the class; the question is whether those rules will induce student support. This tool can help you reflect on your rules and whether or not you have taught them effectively.
Defining and teaching routines to save time and promote learning	This tool assists the teacher in determining if a rule is relevant to the classroom community.
Forming relationships with students	This chart presents several strategies for forming relationships with your students. It allows you to reflect on what you are doing well and ways you could improve.
Building relationships among students	Helping students build relations among themselves is an important part of a successful classroom environment. This tool will help you explore ways to help students form relationships.
Finding out about students with identified disabilities	If you have students with disabilities, you may need considerable information in order to help them participate in your classroom activities as fully as possible. This survey will show you which questions you need to answer about each of these students.

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