The following tips have been graciously contributed by teachers.
This is my second year of teaching and I get to know my students better by playing with them at recess. We play waffle ball, kick ball and tag. I enjoy it because it gives me a chance to do things with them without me "teaching" them and it gives them a different look at me as well. E-mail me privately if you want to know more.
- Jennifer, 1st grade
Cheatham Hill Elementary in Marietta, Georgia
We write back in forth in student journals - I learn a lot about them this way and they love when I write back. We also have sharing every Friday. I had one student last year whose brother was in Iraq. He shared something about him almost every Friday. I think it was good for him and it gave everyone in the class a different appreciation for him.
I also 'draw tickets' for 4 students to eat lunch in the room with me once a week. This gives us a chance to talk. At least once every six weeks we all have lunch in my room and get to visit.
- Kristy, 2nd grade
Texas
Go to their after school activities to watch - they LOVE it!
- 3rd grade teacher
Missouri
We have a 10 minute "snack time" after recess every day for our three 4th and 5th grade classes. While one teacher is assigned duty, I often spend that time just sitting down and talking with my kids. It's amazing how much you can learn by talking to them when you're not concerned about the lesson, logistics, classroom management, or discipline while in the classroom because you can relax and focus on knowing your kids.
- Sean
Sometime during the first week of school, I pass out 4 x 6 cards to my students. I ask them to write the ONE most important thing that they want me to know about them. I tell them it will be confidential. Sometimes they write about liking a particular sport or subject, but may times they write something more revealing, such as, "My brother died this summer," "My family is homeless," or, "My uncle is in Iraq."
- Foxfire
I find that no matter how many activities you do, it will not add up to the amount of time you spend taking an interest in your students. Watch them play in the school band, sing in the school's choir, and do their extracurricular activities.
One activity our school does is a restaurant project in which the students actually are employees of a restaurant for teachers and parents. The students love it when the teachers participate with them.
Be a recess monitor after eating your lunch. One of my colleagues started a recess basketball league with my 8th graders that they enjoyed very much.
Even the little questions when you greet them at the door every morning can get a good answer of getting to know your students. "How are you doing?" "How's your brother or sister?" "How's mother, dad, grandma, grandpa, aunt and uncle?" These little questions mean a lot to the students and you find out you get a lot of information if you listen! They will love you for it too.
- Chris, 8th grade Math
Columbia, Maryland
Throughout the year, I attend student activities, but I don't limit myself to the school activities. If a student is singing a solo at their church and they let me know in advance, then I'll go. I acknowledge all of my students when I see them in public. If I know their family, I'll ask questions about them. I also send notes and make phone calls home to say positive things about each student. I meet and greet my students at the classroom door every day. I write notes on their journals, and allow them to use journals to talk about issues they may not want to speak to me about aloud. I use their names and information I know about them in some of my worksheets (ex: At last night's hockey game, Jerod ....) This works especially well with grammar or vocabulary study sentences. Basically I let my 8th graders know at every opportunity that I care about them!
- Anonymous Teacher
Have students choose an animal, a person, or an inanimate object that best describes who they are and why. Have them write one paragraph at home on the first day of school. This will get them directly in the "school mode" coming back from summer vacation.
- Anonymous Teacher
I'm a newer teacher, but I've taught three classes prior to my first "real" job this fall. What I do, besides the info sheet for students at the beginning (which is great to read AFTER you know them better!), is to make getting to know students a DAILY habit or ritual. I am a high school math teacher (I will be teaching Calculus, Precalculus, and Integrated Math 2), and I start every class with a warm-up. At that time, I am taking attendance, and then I go around and check in homework and help with the warm-up. That gives me the opportunity to talk to EACH of my 100+ students every single day - keeping that constant rapport and not isolating some students while favoring others - which is easy even if not intentional with those who are very quiet - and see what's going on with them. I like to find common interests, ask them what they did over the weekend, ask about other classes, after-school activities, jobs, and things that help them to trust that I care. I have a lot of students from student teaching who I see now because I am doing summer school in the same district, and it's like I never left! They're as friendly as ever! I think taking the time to establish that bond only makes everyone feel much more comfortable in your class and therefore better about being there and learning!
Another thing I do is try to get kids in after school for extra help - especially those who are struggling - it's as simple as promising popcorn or something, and you'll be surprised who shows up. Also, attending their plays and sporting events, and getting involved in general helps them see you as a real person, not just someone who teaches them in one environment everyday. It humanizes you in a way...
