How to Build Trust in Your Classroom to have Conversations That Matter

Let’s face it. Our society remains divided over ongoing issues of racial justice, a divisive presidential election, and tragic incidents of violence. As a result, teachers are rightly concerned about their classroom climate and culture. What’s heard in the news, homes, and our communities translates into the classroom.

Our schools should be spaces where students with different points of view can learn to exchange ideas and communicate respectfully. 
 It is important that we create spaces in our schools, where students can talk about issues that matter to them. Many students can easily voice their opinions when they’re in like-minded company. However, they struggle to share their views with those whose values and beliefs differ.

By engaging in difficult conversations, students learn how to become critical thinkers, understand empathy, and gain a sense of civic responsibility. Our schools are fostering the next generation of citizens, and they need to model and practice constructive civil discourse. 
 Students need to practice expressing opinions while creating space for differing viewpoints. Students also need to understand they can engage in meaningful dialogue even when they don’t have all the information.

The question for many teachers is: How can we create classroom environments built on trust? Trust, so that students feel comfortable listening to those who hold different beliefs from their own. Trust that encourages students to understand diverse points of view and enables our students to respectfully disagree.

The first step in developing a community of trust and respect in your classroom is through a classroom contract. By this point in the year, you already have classroom rules, procedures, and norms for respect and understanding. However, a specific set of norms are needed for how students manage difficult conversations or handle conflict. Contracts or norms will help give students a voice in creating the climate of your class and build a mutual environment of trust and respect. 
 As a contract is created by your class, I would offer the following questions to have your students consider:

• How would you like to be treated in our community?
• How are we going to listen to each other?
• What can we do to ensure everyone feels comfortable to speak?
• How are we going to handle it if our feelings are hurt?
• How are we going to make sure everyone’s voice is heard?
• How are we going to handle violations of the contract?

 

I would recommend that students first reflect silently on the questions. Then, put students in groups of 4-5 and decide on mutual agreements as a group. Next, allow the groups to share out and discuss as a class until everyone agrees and reaches a consensus.

As your students are creating norms for civil discourse, I would offer the following suggestions:

Agree to make “I” statements acknowledging others opinions. (i.e. “I agree with _____ and I would also add ____.” or “I understand that you believe____, but I disagree because of ___.”)

Require each student to have a journal. During class discussions, encourage students to jot down their ideas or thoughts in their journal. If time is limited, this is a great way for a student to still express their thoughts. This is especially important if students do not yet feel comfortable expressing themselves aloud to the entire class. Students can share their comments with the teacher in private and find a safe way to share their ideas. When others help you gain new ideas or help your opinions evolve, acknowledge it. (i.e. “That’s interesting…..I had never considered that before,” or “Thank you for helping me to see a new perspective.”

Ask questions for greater clarification. (i.e. “I’m wondering…”)

You will have to remind students, “This is OUR classroom,” so we are going to decide how to treat each other and you are going to help each other follow what we decide.

Post the contract and have all students sign it. Hold students accountable for the agreements and redirect students who may break it. Encourage students to hold each other accountable so they are self-managing their own behavior. 
 Let students know, if they can self-manage their own behavior, then you do not have to get involved and there will be no consequences!

If students can do this in your classroom, they will replicate this in other spaces within the school. It is then that students will practice the civic dispositions, both in and out of your classroom, that will foster their ability to be thoughtful, engaged and productive citizens.