Teacher to Teacher
IN MY HUMBLE OPINION
Quiet connection What are your strategies for connecting with quieter students?
I love the 2x10 strategy. You take two minutes a day for 10 days and have a conversation with a student you want to get to know. I often have open- ended questions that get them talking about themselves. They get to see me valuing them, and I often take notes so I can commit their answers to memory to bring up in the future. It’s also great to use with those students who struggle with behaviours or who seem to be seeking connection. – Jennifer Lacourse
Trying to connect with any student comes down to find- ing something that they are interested in. I find that quieter students are tougher, but they are searching for a connection as much as other students. I leave my room open at lunch for my students to come in and hang out. I have been playing cards with the quieter students during this time and making these connections. – Jeremy Spink
Having a therapy dog in our junior high school every few weeks had an amazing impact. So many of our quieter students gravitated
to the dog and would become very talkative, opening up
conversations between students and adults while petting or walking the dog. – Carol Knott
I always meet students at the door. This provides an opportunity to connect right away. And I talk to them about pre- ferred seating to help them feel more comfortable with their peers. – Shelley Kirkvold
I prioritize building trust by getting to know each child’s unique interests and connecting with them through activities they enjoy. This often happens best in one-on-one or small group settings, such as during outdoor exploration, drawing and colouring, board games or puzzles. In these moments, I intentionally follow the child’s lead, creating a safe, joyful space where they feel seen, heard and valued. – Meghan Clark-Jamieson
Connecting with quieter kids is incredibly important. The first step is being observ- ant and truly listening. It’s an essential skill for every teacher to develop: noticing the quiet ones and making sure they feel seen. – Chris McCullough
We try to appeal to whatever their hobbies are, leave written comments on assignments that make them smile, and make sure we praise them for their efforts, although that last one usually tends to be one on one so that we aren’t drawing attention to them if they don’t want it. – Victoria Holota
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THE ALBERTA TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION
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