{"id":20839,"date":"2019-09-15T05:30:05","date_gmt":"2019-09-15T09:30:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/strobeleducation.com\/?p=20839"},"modified":"2023-07-31T20:33:35","modified_gmt":"2023-07-31T20:33:35","slug":"its-all-about-the-relationships","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/strobeleducation.com\/blog\/its-all-about-the-relationships\/","title":{"rendered":"It\u2019s All About the Relationships"},"content":{"rendered":"

How to Incorporate a Social Curriculum (+ 6 Pieces of Advice for Teachers)<\/h2>\n

Relationships.<\/p>\n

To me, there is no more important facet of the classroom community than relationships. Standards, teaching methods, and the times may change, but strong relationships between teacher and student\u2014and student and student\u2014will ALWAYS be vital.<\/p>\n

Regardless of the content you\u2019re teaching, you can\u2019t truly capture your students\u2019 attention until you\u2019ve captured their hearts. They need to know that you are truly there to help them.<\/p>\n

My buddy, and founder of Teach Like a Rockstar<\/a>, Hal Bowman, believes (and I do, too), that in those first weeks of the school year, you aren\u2019t really even teaching curriculum. Sure, you\u2019re teaching procedures and processes. But in those early days, you\u2019re creating your classroom community\u2014you\u2019re starting to build those relationships that will serve you well the rest of the school year.<\/p>\n

Love First, Teach Second<\/h3>\n

Here\u2019s the thing: If you really want your students to excel in your classroom, love them first and teach them second.<\/p>\n

If you take the time to build relationships\u2014and trust\u2014your kids are going to want to do more for you. They\u2019ll be more receptive to taking risks and accepting challenges. They\u2019ll learn faster, go further, and have more fun simply because they know you CARE and BELIEVE in them.<\/p>\n

Belief is everything! And students need to hear that explicitly and often from the teachers who serve them.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe in you. I know you\u2019ve had difficulties, but I\u2019ve seen your perseverance. Others may have given up by now \u2026 but not you. I believe in your strength and your ability to change your trajectory!\u201d<\/p>\n

There\u2019s real power in those words!<\/p>\n

Listen \u2026 80% of average daily human thought is naturally negative. That\u2019s why intentionally verbalizing these positive messages is so important. A classroom with this kind of positive energy\u2014with an almost familial atmosphere\u2014tells students of all ages that, first and foremost, they are loved, cared for, and safe.<\/p>\n

Students show up for class more often and more willing to \u201cdo the work\u201d when they feel part of something larger than themselves. They develop self-confidence and academic grit. And they are more willing to take academic risks when they feel confident enough to try\u2014and secure enough to fail.<\/p>\n

We often wrongly blame students when they don\u2019t excel. By creating a classroom community where students feel connected and significant, you\u2019re removing many of the barriers that can impede academic achievement.<\/p>\n

Incorporating a Social Curriculum<\/h3>\n

When we talk about \u201ccreating a classroom community,\u201d what we\u2019re really talking about is teaching a social curriculum. And in my view, a social curriculum is infinitely more important than your academic curriculum.<\/p>\n

Why? Because these social connections\u2014these relationships\u2014are the true path to academic achievement!<\/p>\n

So \u2026 how do you go about incorporating a social curriculum in your classroom? Your exact methods may vary based on the students you\u2019re teaching and your own personality. But here\u2019s what you need to know to get started:<\/p>\n