Thrive in Action Blog Series: Class Community, GPS 2 - Norms
The Thrive In Action blog series highlights practical applications for Great Pedagogy Strategies (GPS) within the EdConnective Thrive Framework, summarized here. The EdConnective Thrive Framework is unique in that it can be applied to teaching actions seamlessly whether learning is in-person or remote. This week we get more familiar with:
Class Community, GPS 2 - Norms: Co-created with students, class norms are visibly posted in student-friendly language and proactively revisited and communicated frequently.
---
Classroom Norms set the stage for how the classroom community looks, feels, and functions. What are the values of that particular community? What hopes, dreams, and goals for the learning environment do the students and teacher share? Classroom Norms seek to answer these questions and provide a framework for the shared vision of the classroom community. In co-creating Norms with students, teachers acknowledge that the classroom belongs to the students, and that their input, ideas, and ownership is essential. Once Norms are agreed upon, they should be posted and regularly referred to by both teachers and students.
As you embark on creating Classroom Norms, it is helpful to give both yourself and your students time to think about the hopes and dreams for the classroom you each prioritize. After individual thought time, space is created to articulate and share these visions with the class. During this time, the teacher’s role is to listen, chart, and perhaps make connections between various ideas. After all ideas have been shared, as a class you can now condense the list. Aim to narrow the list down to 3-5 Norms, and make sure the final Norms are framed in the positive. Now you can chart them and perhaps add a corresponding image to each, which is especially important for the younger learners. You might consider having students create images for each, come up with a poster design, or sign the poster with their name or a handprint.
If your classroom is virtual, Norms are no less important! The same process of co-creation can be replicated by virtually brainstorming Norms as a class, perhaps using a tool like Padlet or a collaborate board on NearPod. After agreeing upon Norms with students, you can post them on your Zoom background and review at the beginning of class. Involve students with the design process by having them design or create their own background with Norms.
Download a summary of the EdConnective Thrive Framework here. EdConnective provides 1:1, personalized non-evaluative coaching to teachers, instructional coaches, and administrators, as well as small group coaching and large group training.