There is no shortage of "programs" out there for discipline. Many with proven research and great track records. The common thread that all of these programs have is the importance of creating relationships with students. Relationships matter! Researches such as Ruby Pane, Robert Marzano, and most recently John Hattie, all stress the importance of this critical aspect of teaching. Hattie ranks student-teacher relationships as one of the most powerful (#11) influences of student achievement with an effect size of .72. If relationships come first, learning will follow. Relationship mean building trust and knowing your students both inside and outside of the school walls. Morning Meeting can be effective in building classroom climate, but consider giving one minute to five different students each day - the teacher's undivided attention - to really connect with your students. Ultimately, courtesy, kindness and acknowledgement work to build relationships. However, we can embed strategies which inherently serve as instructional tools while also fostering positive relationships throughout our days.
- 2 x 10 Strategy - A strategy for working with difficult students. For two minutes each day, ten days in a row, have a personal conversation with the student about anything the student is interested in (school appropriate).
- Relationship Building Through Culturally Responsive Classroom Management - Tips for working with a culturally, diverse, student population.
- Donors Choose – This website that allows you to create a project for funding.
- Sioux Falls Education Foundation – This grant opportunity is available to Sioux Falls educators for innovative ideas in education.