"Reform the environment. Stop trying to reform people. They will reform themselves if the environment is right.”

~ Buckminster Fuller

Part 3

Creating Classroom Community: How?

FlowFoundations: What is a sense of community? Why create a sense of community in schools?

Creating Conditions/Tools: What are the conditions for a sense of community to develop? How can the conditions help to establish a container for community building? What are some tools for making it happen?

Facilitator Knowledge

Application

The Best Workshop EverFacilitators

Be prepared

Lessons are interactive

Facilitate conversation & communicationBe engaging

Build in breaks and allow for sustenance

Turn cell phones off and present

Teach with purpose

Be playful and laugh

Be positive and encourage

The Best Workshop EverEveryone

One person talks at a time

Have an open mind and good attitude

Be positive and encouraging

Be on time

Be an active listener and respectful of others’ opinions

Cell phones off (except for need)

Appropriate and respectful language (be kind)

The Best Workshop EverEveryone

Be alert and present

Watch our sarcastic humor

You can only volunteer yourself

Be sensitive to differences and learning styles

Fun, Food

Conditions for Community to Develop Intentionality

Invitational EducationTime

Safe and Trusting EnvironmentSafe EnvironmentRelational Trust

Balancing “Me” and “We”Empowerment (Me)Social Commitment (We)

Conditions for Community to Develop Positivity

Nurturing the PositivePositivity Ratio

OwnershipFocus (goal setting)3 R’s: Routines, Rituals, Responsibilities

Others?

“Me” Topics

Noticing vs. praising

Challenge with choice vs. right to pass

Competition

Pseudo choice

Other topics?

OWNERSHIP

GOAL SETTING

The 3 ‘R’sRoutinesWhat are some routines you have in your classroom/school?

RitualsWhat are some of your family, cultural, or personal rituals? What are some of your school traditions? What is a rite of passage you have experienced?

ResponsibilityWhat do you in your classroom/school to engender responsibility toward self and others?

Positivity

Reflections on the 10

Joy

Gratitude

Serenity

Interest

Hope

Pride

Amusement

Inspiration

Awe

LoveFrom: Fredrickson, B. (2009) Positivity: Groundbreaking Research Reveals How to Embrace the Hidden Strength of Positive Emotions, Overcome Negativity, and Thrive. New York, NY: Crown Archetype.

Positivity

1. Broadens our minds and our hearts

2. Transforms us for the better

3. Fuels Resilience

1. Asking questions and focusing outward (open to new ideas)

2. Connectivity and attunement of the team. More responsive to one another

3. Bouncing back from adversity rather than getting stuck in self-absorbed advocacy

Individuals Groups

Positivity Ratio

The Tipping PointFlourishing = 3 to 1

“… only when positivity ratios are higher than 3 to 1 is positivity in sufficient supply to seed human flourishing.” (Fredrickson, 2009)

An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. “A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy.

It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.” He continued, “the other is good – he is joy, peace, love hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you – and inside every other person, too.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”