Building a Positive Classroom Community

• Personal Development
• Tutor time
• +1
• Lower Secondary (Key Stage 3)
• Upper Secondary (Key Stage 4)
• Further Education (Key Stage 5)
• BTEC, GCSE

Introduction

The lesson will help reinforce the core values of a productive, positive learning environment. This will work for any subject potentially! This lesson links to 'British Values' and makes a great early lesson establishing the kind of class room we want going forward through the year. Made with Further Education in mind, this could easily be adapted for other levels, particular secondary. This set of slides have been deliberately designed to be easy to modify. Download it and find out!

Building a Positive Classroom Community

Welcome to this lesson for promoting a positive learning environment!

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Building a Positive Classroom Community

Learning Objective

Students will explore the elements of a positive classroom environment and reflect on their own contribution to it.

Learning objectives page

Think of your favourite class or teacher you've ever had. What made that experience positive? 

Open question to generate discussion

What makes a class feel positive and welcoming?

Simple mind map to activate learners.

Scenario 1: “First-Day Nerves”

Amira is new to the college. She walks into the classroom looking a bit unsure. As she sits down, Jamie (another student) turns to her, smiles, and says,

“Hi, I’m Jamie. We’re going over last week’s work — let me know if you want to borrow my notes.”

Later, Jamie checks if she found everything okay and tells her which teacher is nice about giving extra time on assignments.

How did Jamie help create a positive classroom environment?

Three scenarios for individuals or groups to work through.

How did Jamie help create a positive classroom environment? 

Feedback for individuals, groups, or pairs.

Scenario 2: “Small Things Matter”

In a group activity, Malik notices that Joe isn’t speaking much. When there’s a quiet moment, Malik says,

“Joe, I think you had a good point earlier — want to share it with the group?”

Joe looks surprised but then speaks up, and the group listens.

 

Three scenarios for individuals or groups to work through.

What effect did Malik’s comment have on Joe and the group?

Feedback opportunity for individuals, pairs, or groups.

Scenario 3: “Acknowledging Others”

At the end of a class debate, Keira turns to her partner and says,

“That was a brilliant point you made about climate change — I hadn’t thought of it like that.”

Her classmate smiles and says thanks, looking more confident.

Another scenario to discuss!

Why do you think Keira’s comment made a difference?

Feedback individually, in pairs, or in groups.

What Makes a Positive Classroom?

• Respect goes both ways
• Everyone feels included
• Mistakes are okay – that’s how we learn
• Clear expectations
• A sense of calm and purpose
• You feel safe to speak up

Information slide with revealing bullet points. 

Which behaviours make a positive classroom environment?

Positive

Negative

Listening when someone else speaks

Talking over others

Using phones mid-task

Encouraging someone who's stuck

Turning up late

Saying 'thank you'

A drag and drop activity. You could easily modify or add more examples.

In groups, come up with 5 rules or values that you think would help make a classroom feel more positive.

Each rule should begin with We will… (e.g. “We will listen to each other without interrupting.”)

The concept here is that groups or pairs produce posters (either physical or virtual!) and uplad them here for feedback. This one has not been set to be anonymous as you are more likely to want to monitor which group.

What can you do to help make the class a positive learning environment, starting today?

Individual response encouraging reflection.

Maintaining a Positive Classroom

• Every member of the class counts
• Show mutual respect and be courteous
• Everyone benefits from a positive classroom!
• Help each other
• No raised voices, no wasting time
• Listen to others and be patient

Information slide reiterating points from earlier in the presentation.

After today’s session, how confident do you feel in your role in shaping a positive classroom?

😒🙁😐🙂😃

A poll to reinforce the idea of everyone being on board.

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