You’ve heard it many times: “build rapport with students!”
We cannot argue that this is probably the single most important thing that any teacher must do. How, though, do we do this when we have so many other tasks at hand?
Many teachers are natural at this, and that’s great! If you’re not, though, there are many ways to get to know your students. One of my favorite ways is through writing!
Allowing students to communicate to your through writing allows you to find out many things about them that you may not have known. It also helps some students open up if they are particularly introverted or don’t like to talk often.
Below are some ways that you can implement right away to build rapport with students. Try a few of them and see which one works best for you and your kiddos!
Build Rapport with Students Through Parent Letters
One of my favorite things to do is ask parents to write me a letter about their student. There are several templates on websites like Teachers Pay Teachers that you can use, but I usually just provide a blank sheet of paper.
The blank sheet allows parents to tell me what they want to about their student. They can go as in-depth as they want to and tell me anything they think I may need to know.
I preface the letter to let parents know that I want to work as a team this year, and I want them to tell me everything that makes their student special. This includes any information that would be beneficial for me to know and to help me work with the student’s parents.
I have found that parents/guardians really appreciate this. After the letters come back to me (and, surprisingly, most letters do come back!) I put them in the student’s folder once I read them. Throughout the year, if I am at a loss with a student, I pull out their parent letter and read it.
It also helps if you are having difficulty with a student– when you read the letter from their parent/guardian, it puts into perspective how important this child is to someone. This sometimes helps me get my mind back on track as their teacher.
Build Rapport with Students through Daily Journals
A great way to build rapport with students is through daily journal writing. There are many ways to do this, but if you have a system where students can write freely/creatively, then you’ve already got half of it down!
I read the journals and respond to students, even if it’s just a few words. You can learn so much from what they write, especially if they have freedom to write about what they want to write about. Prompts work, as well, if you’re looking for a specific topic.
I also tell students that if they don’t want me to read it, then they can let me know. Most years I just asked students to use red at the top of the journal entry and write “do not read,” or something along those lines.
“All About Me” Assignments
People love to talk about themselves, and your students are no exception! Another fun way to build rapport with students is to assign something that allows them to tell you about themselves.
The “About Me” poster above is a great example! You can learn a lot about students through targeted questions (favorite food, animal, etc.) and also through open-ended questions (what adjectives describe you?).
If you’d like the link to the product above, click here!
Write a Letter to Students
As often as you’d like, but definitely at the beginning of the year, write your own letter to students! Give them an insight into your life, hobbies, family, favorite things, etc.
This will help students feel that you’re relatable. They will get to know you better and see what your life is like as their teacher.
These letters can be simple, and you can even add pictures! Allow students to ask you questions or write back to you in your letters.
Personality Tests
One of my very favorite activities to do with students is take personality tests! Although students are not completely mature, their personalities are developing. In middle and high school, they may be old enough to start taking tests such as the “Myers-Briggs.”
Once students find out their personality type, they can let you know and write about it. Did their personality type/description surprise them? Did they agree with it? Ask them questions about it and have them share! You could even have them tell others their type, if comfortable, to see if they match with anyone else.
Here is one of the free versions of the test!
Do you use any other ways to connect with students through writing? Let me know in the comments!
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Cross-Curricular Writing Class
Incorporate Writing into Math