3 Small Ways To Create A Positive Classroom Atmosphere

Here are two questions teachers can think about as they reflect on their daily instruction: when students enter the classroom, are they happy to be there? And, when they leave, are they smiling and feeling positive about their experience? If not, a few small changes may need to be made. Every student wants a positive teacher to help make their day better and their class more enjoyable, and it’s something every teacher can achieve. Here are 3 small ways to create a positive classroom atmosphere that can have a big impact.

Always Greet Students at the Door

This is something that most teachers are aware of, but can easily fall by the wayside with the million other tasks teachers have to deal with. Getting the class started with a positive message says right up front that the teacher cares, and this resonates with students. They know from the second they enter the room that their teacher is taking an interest in their lives and promoting a positive classroom atmosphere. We all want to be shown respect and kindness, and students who say “hello” or ask you about your day are demonstrating that kind of personal connection that every teacher hopefully wants in their classroom. It can even boost your own mood, so take the time to greet everyone at the start of class.

Get Students Up and Moving At Least Once per Class

When building a positive classroom atmosphere, it’s important to consider that the majority of students, regardless of age, feel that they are sitting too long in class all day. We all can get bored and tired by not moving for long periods of time. Let’s be clear, we’re not talking about taking 15 minutes out of your class to go run a mile, but just getting everyone up for a minute and letting them chat with each other can promote an incredibly positive atmosphere. Also, it gives teachers a chance to build connections with individual students or small groups. Other ideas might be to do some simple stretches while standing next to their desks, or get up and do ten jumping jacks if the students really seem to be feeling sleepy or bored.

End Each Class with a Positive Reflection

Students frequently remember the very beginning and very end of the class most. By having a discussion or getting each student to write down a positive part of what they experienced that day, ending class with a reflection can really  leave a student feeling happy and ready to move to another class and feeling good about what transpired during your time together. Consider requiring students to share something positive about one other student related to that day’s activities or lesson. To keep students from only complimenting their friends and/or the same person each time, assign a kind of rotation so that throughout the year, each student ‘partners’ with every other student at least once as a kind of team-building activity. Over time, small positive reflections and making connections with other students will add up and contribute to a positive classroom atmosphere.

Your students are going to enter and leave your room many times during the course of a year. Even though many of your instructional lessons will be different, bringing a positive energy to every children/teen can make a world of difference in how they view your class, how you reflect on your class and most importantly, it will provide students with a positive classroom atmosphere, and perhaps even an experience they will always remember.

Allison Green
Boston Tutoring Services