Creating a Sense of Belonging
1) Creating a positive environment
- Develop an appreciation for others.
- Recognize unique contributions and qualities of all students.
- Provide a variety of activities in which students can gain recognition from peers.
2) Explore the responsibilities of group membership
- Teach students their responsibilities within a group.
- Teach children when it is appropriate to function as an individual and when to function as part of the group.
3) Encourage acceptance of all and inclusion of others
- Provide for peer acceptance, that is, cooperative games, students create a classroom bulletin board or a mini video clip highlighting their talents and interests.
- Use class meetings.
- Teach social skills.
- Celebrate the differences.
- Provide opportunities to be of service to others.
Caouette D. 1990. “Winning Students Over.” In Ruban, F, and J Heckbert. 1998. University Facilitator Resource Collection: Field Experiences. Edmonton, Alta: University of Alberta.