School is more than the 3 R's: reading, writing, and arithmetic. School is about learning citizenship. It's about learning social skills. It's about learning about yourself. It's about giving kids the opportunity to succeed. This goes far beyond what the curriculum has to offer. Move students beyond the curriculum by empowering school culture and social structure.
Celebrate Diversity
Promote multiculturalism within your school by celebrating the diversity that already exists. Graphically recognize home countries and languages spoken within the school population by creating displays that student contribute to. Celebrate various cultural festivities, and encourage students to bring awareness to their varied cultural traditions. Take advantage of the rich teaching opportunities multiculturalism brings to the classroom by incorporating it into the curriculum. Study political regimes around the world in Social Studies, read international authors in English, tackle Mathematical problems arising from surging populations and limited resources around the world.
Recognize Student Achievement
Initiate school wide student achievement recognition on a regular basis. Make it a habit to celebrate excellence each and every month. Recognize student contributions to the school community by giving awards for academic endeavors, social contributions, and personal achievement, and you will find that the more rewards given, the more students are intrinsically motivated to do better. Make sure recognition is public, and extent the congratulations home, by sending a letter noting achievement to parents.
Embrace Philanthropy
Foster community by encouraging students to give back to the larger community. Choose a social cause that students can work together to benefit. Students will not only find meaning in their work, but they will develop a sense of camaraderie from putting genuine effort into achieving a collective goal. There really is no better way to learn about the world around you than to interact directly with it.
Solicit Student Input
Make your endeavor to empower school culture and social structure known by soliciting student input. Ask students directly to contribute ideas that they think would improve the school culture. Place a collection pot in a central location for students to drop ideas into, and give a prize for the top 3 ideas implemented.
Ensure Opportunity for Involvement
Ensure there are diverse opportunities for students to engage in the school community. Providing a rich school experience that expands beyond the classroom walls will help to define school culture. Enlist student council to survey the student body to determine school clubs and extracurricular activities that would add to the existing social structure of the school. There should be an opportunity for everyone to engage.
Kristy Dolha - Kristy Dolha
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