Building community from day one is the secret sauce that makes your classroom feel like home instead of a place of work. This will be a priceless tool that makes your life easier for the rest of the year and allows your students to focus on learning!
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Building Community in the Classroom: Make The First Days Count!
Hey fabulous teachers (and fellow cardboard collectors)!
I’m an art educator who’s survived enough first days of school to know three things for certain:
1. No one remembers where they’re supposed to sit or where they are supposed to go.
2. Somebody will spill something.
3. Building community from day one is the secret sauce that makes your classroom feel like home instead of a place of work. This will be a priceless tool that makes your life easier for the rest of the year and allows your students to focus on learning!
So let’s talk about how to create a warm, connected classroom community right from the start.
1. Start with YOU. Yes, You!
Students are curious creatures. They want to know who you are, whether you secretly own 15 cats, and what makes you tick. Pick facts that are relatable for them and fun. You don't want to come across as out of reach to them.
So I always kick off Day One with a quick slideshow or some “Fun Facts About Me.” For example:
I trained my bengal cat to use the toilet. (This is a huge crowd pleaser. I include a video and it's something I am asked about for years to come.)
My favorite video game of all time is Tekken, but I love adventure games like BOTW, the Oris, and that format. (This is something that students love to hear from a teacher. They want to know you unwind in the same way they do--more importantly that you have something in common with them.)
I love to travel and learn. I am always looking for a new adventure and place to explore. (I usually throw in some photos of the cooler countries and places I've been to.)
It’s silly, it’s humanizing — and it tells students it’s safe to be themselves in your room. I have a very playful personality and love to joke around with my students so this is an intro that fits me but stay authentic and the class will see that.
2. Let Them Shine
Next, flip the spotlight!
Personality Test: Ok so real talk: I cannot rave about this personality test I give my students enough. They take the test, with little to no context. I explain more as we go. Reading the results makes each kid feel seen. The truth is it's more of a social personality test, which guess what? Creates the perfect seating chart. The discussion questions provide students with the opportunity to see the value in each person's contribution to the group. They also take their role seriously and help regulate their peers based on their results.
Ice Breakers: Once the personality types are broken into pods, I like to introduce a few icebreakers to allow them to get to know each other. These are fun activities that might not scream class curriculum, but create an invaluably sense of community that will establish a safe learning environment for the year.
3. Establish Class Norms — Together
This is one I add my own twist to. I initially co-create community norms. I ask questions like:
“What helps us feel safe to make art (even when it’s messy or doesn’t turn out right)?”
“How can we help each other be awesome classmates so that everyone feels welcome and wants to be here?”
You can write your ideas on a giant piece of butcher paper, decorate it, and hang it up. It’s colorful, collaborative, and way more memorable than a boring list of rules. One caveat: there may be certain rules the class just will not suggest. For example: high schoolers are not going to suggest a no phone policy even though it's invalauble in staying present, while also eliminating the potential for nonconsensual filming during class. This is a rule I as the teacher would add myself regardless. Even if they don't like it, they will respect it and by this point, I've won them over at least a little.
4. Laugh Early, Laugh Often
Humor is a magical glue. I try to sneak in gentle silliness from Day One:
When I taught high school I had 2 reclining chairs. Kids could earn "squishy tickets" to sit there through participation and positive behavior. In addition they had to follow "squishy law" which allowed for one student to sit in a chair an no more etc. The ticket needed to be initialed by me etc.
The best classroom management is holding their attention. The second best is to deescalate a situation with humor before it starts.
Overact a little when giving directions — it keeps them listening and giggling.
When students see you laugh at yourself, it tells them mistakes are safe here — and that’s pure gold for building community.
5. Plan for Success — and the Unexpected
Finally, have a few extra activities ready in case your meticulously planned 45-minute lesson takes… 12 minutes. I have a complete package that will last you sometime, but if you want to substitute anything, extend the days of icebreakers etc. just be prepared.
A quick “Would You Rather?” game with silly art prompts
A collaborative doodle mural on butcher paper
A calm drawing prompt for early finishers
Your future self will thank you.
The first days of school set the tone for your whole year. Build connections, share some laughs, and let your students know your classroom is a place where they belong — paint spills and all.
Now go forth and create community, you magnificent creative soul. And remember: the only real mistake is not trying (…or drinking the paint water. But that’s another story).
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