Getting to know you, getting to know all about you.
Getting to like you, getting to know all about you.
But nicely,
Getting to know you, putting it my way,
You are precisely,
My cup of tea.
Getting to know what to say
Getting to know you,
Getting to feel free and easy
When I am with you,
Things I'm learning about you
Haven't you noticed
Suddenly I'm bright and breezy
Because of all the beautiful and new
Day by day.
Sharing your spirit,
But sweetly,
Sharing your tears and your laughter
Hoping it goes on,
Getting to know you, putting it my way,
Hoping it lasts endlessly
Knowing we know how to play
You are completely,
My friend you see.
Telling you my dreams,
Getting to feel that you're with me
Friends today
Making our own fun,
Now that I've met you
Suddenly I'm mostly happy
I've found a new pal, beautiful and true
Yes I'm talking about you.
Friends today.
It's about making new friends and feeling comfortable with someone new. It's about learning something new about someone and sharing laughter and tears. It's about creating something that lasts. That sounds like a pretty perfect classroom community to me.
But that doesn't just happen on its own. It takes time. And as teachers, time is not something we mess around with. However, I've learned over the years that NOT taking the time up front for some "getting to know you" and classroom community building means taking more time down the road when you really don't have it. So, how exactly, does this happen?
Well I certainly don't have all the answers. But I do have a few ideas. First and foremost, I do as many things as I can to help kids make connections with one another. I'm always amazed at how many kids don't know the names of the kids around them; in many cases, kids they've gone to school with since kindergarten. It's a good reminder that we have to teach kids how to work outside of their own bubble. So we do people hunts to make connections, we interview partners and make Venn diagrams, we learn about our names and favorite foods and activities, we learn new games and play some old favorites. We talk. We write. We connect.
And we keep it going into September. We greet each other in the morning using one another's names. We have work displayed with students' names and photos. These aren't big things. But sometimes, it's the little things that have the biggest impact.
One of my favorite things to do this year was the Selfie activity I created. Once the kids were done, I handed them my phone (I know, scary, right?!) and let them take their own selfies. They are, by far, some of my favorite photos ever. And boy, were they ever telling--I know exactly who has older brothers and sisters! Take a look at some their responses and our classroom display.
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I really love it and will do it again, and I hope you will too!
Yes I'm talking about you.
Friends today.
