The Missouri Reader Vol. 36, Issue 1 | Page 68

struggling readers succeed because they believe they can. Creating a compassionate classroom community Classrooms are social settings that are created by both students and teachers. The types of environments established strongly influences the learning that takes place within them (Angelillo, 2008). Tompkins (2010) explains the difference between compassionate classroom communities and traditional classrooms with the analogy of owning versus renting a home. Tompkins reasons, ―In a classroom community, students and the teacher are joint ‗owners‘ of the classroom. Students assume responsibility for their own behavior and learning, work collaboratively with classmates, complete assignments, and care for the classroom. In traditional classrooms, in contrast, the classroom belongs to the teacher, and students are ‗renters‘ for the school year‖ (2010). Although the ultimate responsibility of the classroom remains with the teacher, students sometimes support the teacher‘s role as guide, instructor, monitor, coach, and mentor. Compassionate classrooms are highly conductive to student learning and are easily created through the following procedures: Set the tone for the coming year by carefully preparing into the first day. The initial impression on the students is that the teacher puts extra effort to careful preparation because school is important. Students understand that this teacher will always expect their best efforts. Ensure that each student knows that he/she is welcome, valued, and special. Provide a variety of multifaceted enjoyable literacy experiences into all subjects you teach. Keep daily literacy activities interesting so that students remain engaged and motivated and understand that reading and writing are keys to learning and to success. Establish and follow a set of daily routines. The message sent to students is that school is organized and predictable. Establish, implement and maintain classroom rules that create a positive discipline system that is based on mutual respect, responsibility, and dignity. Students understand that they will be safe and responsible for their actions. Design a class motto, flag, or mascot. Create a classroom friendship puzzle with each student‘s name or decorate the classroom with a silhouette of each student‘s image on black construction paper. Students gain a sense of comfort and belonging. Share responsibility for decision making with students by encouraging them to express their opinions about topics to study, choosing seats, writing classroom rules, ect. Compassionate classroom communities are environments that are predictable, comfortable and safe. Students and the teachers show respect for each other, and students learn how to work cooperatively with peers. Compassionate classroom communities are settings where students enjoy social interaction and feel connected to their classmates and teacher. Students are more likely to assume responsibility for their learning and behavior in classrooms that nurture them as individuals. The literacy environment is only as healthy as the classroom environment in which it exists. As educators, the soundness or our literacy practices comes from the time we take to learn about the lives of all the children in our classroom. Many students are in families that face situations such as divorce, mental or physical illness, substance abuse, and/or inadequate financial resources. Compassionate classroom communities provide a connection between students and teachers that can override many obstacles to learning, thereby increasing the likelihood of successful literacy interventions. © The Missouri Reader, 36 (1) p.68