Social responsibility is about ethics and a duty to the greater good. As educators, we strive to teach students to understand and respect themselves, each other, and the world around them. It promotes thoughtful interactions with others and thinking beyond oneself. It is about making the right decisions and solving conflicts.
If you have arrived at this post, I can assume it is due to curiosity or a need to develop classroom expectations. Perhaps you are wondering how to teach social responsibility, where to begin, and what steps to take.
I hope this and future posts in this series give you actionable, straightforward lessons and ideas you can implement in your classroom today. Hopefully, you will start seeing the benefits of your students interacting, dealing with the highs and lows of their day, and making decisions in the classroom and on the playground. In addition, you will see the many little bodies in your classroom grow into ones that are fulfilled, peaceful, kind, and strong.
Each year, we create a classroom contract. This multi-step process helps children identify what is essential in a classroom and take responsibility for maintaining it. A classroom contract is built with everyone’s participation and ideas. It becomes quite strong and powerful. It is also an excellent alternative to traditional classroom rules.
Starting at the beginning of the year, we have daily conversations about social topics. We talk about respect, community, teamwork, responsibility, etc. I ask them questions and give them scenarios to discuss and answer. This encourages critical thinking and the sharing of viewpoints.
Have weekly classroom meetings. During our classroom meetings, children are encouraged to openly share feelings and gratitude, give compliments, and solve problems.
I read books daily and choose stories illustrating how children deal with different emotions and issues. We talked about the stories, and the students shared their connections. These books for classroom meetings are perfect for teaching social skills and having those important conversations.
We gather as a class to create an anchor chart together (What are anchor charts?). I have the chart ready with the title “A Great Classroom” and a Y shape below it to create three separate areas to add our ideas. Children are asked to give their thoughts and answer questions honestly. You could also change the title to something different that suits your class, such as “A Peaceful Classroom” or “Mrs. or Mr.’s Classroom.”
I ask them to imagine what a “great” classroom looks like (what they see when they look around in their classroom and at the children). As students raise their hands and share ideas, I add them to the anchor chart. If I feel like an important idea has not been mentioned, I may give hints or ask questions until someone mentions it.
Some of the ideas for “A Great Classroom looks like include happy kids, working hard, fun, learning, helping, and more.
We switch to what a “great” classroom sounds like (what they hear in terms of noise and what people say). Children eagerly share their ideas, and I add them to that section.
Some of the ideas for “A Great Classroom sounds like include quiet working, manners, laughing, kind words, questions, and more.
Lastly, we talk about what a “great” classroom feels like (what feelings they have inside when they are at school and how people make them feel). This part is a bit more difficult for children. When you talk, encourage them to think about how they feel on a good day and when good things happen. This is good practice for kids to identify different emotions.
Some of the ideas for “A Great Classroom feels like include open, welcoming, respectful, happy, honest, and more.
Review and reread the chart with the class. Ask them if anyone needs anything explained or if there are any questions. While the ideas are still fresh in their minds, children get to pick their favorite three ideas. They choose one idea from each section and add a sticker to mark that spot.
Children line up and come up to the chart with their stickers. I ask them which ideas they think are the most important, and I help them, if needed, find those ideas on the chart.
As stickers are added, a few ideas from each section stand out. After all the stickers have been added, count up and write the number of stickers beside each “big” idea. Those “big” ideas become the main components of the classroom contract. If children believe those ideas to be the most important, they will be more prone to follow through and work hard.
As an extension activity, you could have students record their own 3-4 favorite ideas or the top ideas chosen by the class. Using the free templates, children can write their ideas and illustrate them, make their own anchor chart, record the final contract, and more. Optionally, they can post their work along with the final signed contract on a bulletin board later.
To use the FREE class contract resource, click the image below.
Separately, prewrite the class contract that includes our most important decisions as a class. I suggest writing them into a paragraph on a piece of chart paper and reading them aloud each day.
Read and practice it with the class. Each child can put their name or stamp a thumbprint on the final contract to show that they agree. Post the classroom contract somewhere visible and review it with the class often. I usually post it along a higher wall that we can all see and refer to often.
By developing a classroom contract with your students, you are letting them know that they are important members of the classroom community and that their ideas matter. This contract is a symbol of teamwork, cooperation, and respect. It lets children know and reminds them of their role as individuals. It is a powerful thing!
Grab your set of classroom contract templates to make lesson planning a breeze! Use these templates to record important information and the contract following your classroom lesson.
Click the image below to grab a copy.
Teach K-2 children the most important life lessons when they need them the most with units and activities on emotions, self-regulation, growth mindset, empathy, social awareness, friendship, kindness, respect, and responsibility. Click here to learn more!
Want to create a peaceful classroom filled with respectful, confident, and kind kids who can build relationships and communicate effectively? Then, this SEL curriculum for grades 3-5 is for you! Click here to learn more!
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