We Are Crew by Ron Berger

Author:Ron Berger
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: EL Education Inc. - EL Ed Publications
Published: 2020-04-15T00:00:00+00:00

KEY QUESTIONS: Developing Self-Awareness

1. How can you support students to recognize and identify their feelings and their related behaviors?

2. How can you support your students to honestly reflect on their ethical habits?

3. Based on the needs and strengths of your students, what character learning targets do you need to focus on?

CREW HOW TO

Part 2: A Place Where Every Student Belongs

Students—all students—deserve to feel supported and valued as a part of an inclusive learning community. When students feel that they will be respected for who they are and welcomed as a part of the community, they develop a sense of trust and belonging. They are more motivated to do their best work for teachers whom they perceive to be “warm demanders”; that is, teachers who have high expectations, but also a strong knowledge of and belief in students’ desire to meet those expectations (Blad, 2017). Moreover, when students feel that what is unique and essential about them—who they really are—is known, treasured, and even celebrated, they have a safe space and positive support to become the best people they can be. Crew plays an important role in fostering students’ confidence and their social and emotional competence by validating their identity and helping them articulate their unique contribution to the community.

A sense of belonging in school, the feeling of being socially and emotionally “at home,” gives students room to learn and practice ethical language and actions. Creating that home-like atmosphere in your Crew—where students look out for one another and see their Crewmates as family—isn’t easy, but there are steps you can take to build an inclusive community. Throughout history, religious groups, athletic teams, organizations, and even families have used rituals, routines, and traditions to foster a sense of belonging.

In Chapter 3 we explained that the rituals of circling up, greeting one another, sharing a reading, and working together as a team bolster students’ sense of belonging. In this section, we describe these routines, and the teacher moves that make them successful, more deeply. We also consider Crew lessons that nurture students’ understanding of their own (and others’) identities, and practices that support students who have experienced trauma.

In This Section:

» Fostering Belonging with Circles, Greetings, and Readings

» Checking In and Sharing

» Leading Team-Building Initiatives

» Ensuring that Every Child Feels Included, Respected, and Valued at School

» Making Crew Safe for Students Who Have Experienced Trauma

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