We all want to create a positive learning environment for our students, but sometimes, it can feel daunting. We’ve all had that class: the one we dreaded, where time seemed to slow down when we entered the classroom.
Creating a positive learning environment with these students seems impossible – no matter what you try, you always yell. So, what do you do? You can’t let them run wild, but you also don’t want to be the teacher they dislike.
Think about your favourite teachers when you were in school. What did they do to make them your favourite? I bet it wasn’t all fun and games; you listened when they spoke.
So, what was it that made them so special?
Of course, every class will be different, and not every class or every student will react the same, but here are some ideas that can help to create a positive learning environment for all of your students.
How to Create a Positive Learning Environment
Explain that Respect Goes Both Ways
If you want to create a positive learning environment, it starts with respect. You respect them; they respect you. You think they should automatically respect you because you’re the teacher; however, that’s not always how it works, especially in middle school.
In middle school, students’ brains and emotions are everywhere; we must help them navigate this. Tradition tells us that adults don’t respect kids – they respect us. Well, that may work with some, but that mindset is almost obsolete today.
We’ve all either seen, read about or experienced the new challenges that we face with student behaviour.
So try this: Show them respect, and they will show you the same. Simple, right? But just give it a shot. Let them know that this is their class, and they control how much they learn and how they act. Tell them that respect in your classroom is mutual. And maintain that.
Remember when things get wild, or chatter starts: You told them you respect them, and they should respect you, too. Tell them calmly that they are disrespecting you and each other. This puts the responsibility on them, and they own up to that. It’s like that feeling when your parent/guardian tells you they “aren’t mad; they are disappointed.”
Most of the time, their tone changes after they have a chance to think about it.
You might want to read Incorporating Key Social Emotional Learning Techniques into Middle School Lessons. You might also want to consider teaching thankfulness in your classroom. You can start using thank you notes: Teach Gratitude with Thank You Note Writing.
Let Them Know You Care
This goes hand in hand with respect: To create a positive learning environment means letting students know that you care about them.
When you ask students (current or previous) who their favourite teacher was and why, most will say they chose a specific teacher because they cared. Plain and simple. They were the best behaved in this class, they did their work, they weren’t disruptive, etc. All because they knew this teacher cared about them.
It’s heartbreaking to hear a student say they gave up in a class because the teacher made them feel stupid or wouldn’t help them. Of course, they acted out in this class.
Wouldn’t you?
We must remember that everything we say – and how we say it – sticks with these students. They may not remember all the content, but they will always remember how they were treated and felt in your class.
If we want to create a positive learning environment, we must remind students that we care, which usually makes them want to behave better.
For more information on building relationships with your students, check out:
- Building Classroom Relationships Through Conversation Part 1
- Building Classroom Relationships Through Conversation Part 2
Let Students Move
Another way to create a positive learning environment is by letting students move!
Picture it. You’re three hours into a six-hour professional development session. You’re getting fidgety. Antsy. You’re dying to get up and move around. You want to talk to your peers. And you have been zoned out for the last 30 minutes and have no idea what’s happening.
Who has been there? Be honest.
Now, imagine how you’re feeling, but imagine only being 12 years old. All that energy—what are you supposed to do with it all?
This is what our students go through every single day. They get a short time for physical education, but other than that, they’re expected to sit in uncomfortable desks all day. That’s simply unrealistic!
Students need some freedom. Let them move around. If they need to stand up and learn, let them stand up. Are they fidgety? Give them a fidget toy. Give students projects where they can get up and move.
I’m convinced that some students learn better when standing, moving, drawing, colouring, etc. If you give students these freedoms, then the times you ask them to focus, they’ll be able to. Remind them that these freedoms are privileges.
For more ways to get students up and moving, check out this post: 11 Fun Ways to Get Students Moving in the Classroom.
Think About Rules
If you want to create a positive learning environment, don’t bombard students with rules: a list of things they can’t do. Students need some rules, of course, but they should also have some freedom.
Make the “consequences” seem important to them. One idea is to feed on their competitiveness. Middle schoolers love a good competition and usually don’t care about the prize. They just want to win.
One idea is to use a point system. For example, put them all in teams. Give them points for different daily things, big and small. Saying hello to you gets them 100 points every time. Use straws or popsicle sticks that they get to put into their team bucket and see every day. Give points for giving correct answers, participating, etc. Whatever team has the most points at the end of the grading period wins.
You could also have a class bucket and put something in the bucket whenever students do something positive. When the bucket is full, have some kind of class prize.
This teaches students manners and participation in class, even when they don’t get a straw or stick. On rare occasions, take points away when they are misbehaving. The more you reward them with points, the bigger the deal it is when they lose them.
You can also use reward coupons to encourage and praise good behaviour, work completion, attention to task completion, etc.
Creating a classroom community is also essential to create a positive learning environment. Sometimes, games can help build this community: Level Up: Incorporating Fun Games into Your Classroom for Interactive Learning.
Lastly, Things to Remember
If you want to create a positive learning environment, remember that it won’t happen overnight. Every class and every student is different. These methods may not work for every situation, but they are worth a try.
Respect never fails.
We are dealing with post-pandemic students and with a changing world, and we have to adjust to that in our classrooms.
This is not saying to let your students run wild; it’s tips to help you do your job and have fun doing it. When your students are enjoying class, you are too!
Connect with me on social media and let me know the steps you took to create a positive learning environment in your middle school classroom.
More on Classroom Management
- Top Classroom Management Tips
- Effective Middle School Classroom Management
- Great Classroom Management Strategies For Middle School
- Effective Middle School Classroom Management Resources for Teachers
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