Let's Talk About Respect

As you discuss the importance of building a positive classroom community in the first few days of the new school year, it's likely you'll broach the concept of respect - respecting yourself, respecting the teacher, respecting classmates, respecting classroom materials, etc. But what exactly does that look like in the classroom setting? It's important not to assume that your new kinders know exactly what the word 'respect' means. In fact, we suggest sitting down and discussing not only what respect looks like and sounds like (the practical applications; see example anchor charts above), but also what it feels like and why it's so important! Understanding how being disrespectful can make others feel bad is sure to go a long way in helping your students take responsibility for their words and actions in the classroom.