When students feel safe, known and valued, they’re more willing to take risks, ask questions and help each other. Building that sense of belonging is some of the most important work of the first weeks of school, and it pays off all year.
Start with a story
Our Class Is a Family by Shannon Olsen is a popular back-to-school read-aloud about how a classroom can feel like a family: a place where everyone belongs, mistakes are okay, and people take care of each other. After reading, ask students what makes a classroom feel like a family to them.
Create class agreements together
- Brainstorm how you want your class to feel.
- Turn the ideas into a few positive agreements, such as “We help each other” or “We use kind words.”
- Have every student sign the agreements, and revisit them often.
Daily routines that build community
- Morning greetings: a handshake, wave or high five at the door.
- Class meetings: a short circle to share news, solve problems and celebrate.
- Classroom jobs: every student has a role that helps the group.
- Shout-outs: a place to notice and celebrate kindness.
Activities for the first weeks
- Class family portrait: Each student draws a self-portrait for a class display.
- Find someone who: A bingo-style game to discover things students have in common.
- Kindness chain: Add a paper link each time someone notices a kind act.
Keep it going
Community isn’t a one-week unit. Return to your agreements after breaks, welcome new students with the same care, and celebrate your class family often.
Ready-to-use community activities
For ready-to-use activities, our Our Class Is a Family: Back-to-School Classroom Community Activities set is available on Teachers Pay Teachers.
