A friendly, supportive class culture where students can be themselves and make space for others as they do the same leads to incredible learning outcomes and personal growth from students. A rich creative community offers ample opportunities for social emotional learning and improving general engagement with school.
Here’s what we’ve learned about creative communities in the classroom:
1. Creative communities are built on trust.
Teachers must trust their students. Students must trust each other and their teachers.
2. Creative communities will only develop if there is a supportive class culture.
The class must have respect for each other and the rules of the classroom. Developing a class culture can be particularly challenging in schools that struggle with a larger school cultures.
3. Students are encouraged to bring their (almost) full selves to the classroom.
If students know that their point of view is valid and welcome, they’re more likely to engage and invest their energy.
Setting Norms and Expectations
Establishing a class culture in the first week helps get the creative community off on the right foot. Sometimes, it will take more than just one week to get it dialed in. It can take weeks or even months, but that first week is critical in any case.
As the teacher, the facilitator of the creative community, you cannot assume that students will know how to engage with bravery and sensitivity. Making explicit your expectations that every student treats each other with respect and grace is an essential first step in setting the conditions for creativity to flourish. Students have to know that they can trust you to keep them safe as they publicly navigate the uncharted waters of their creativity.
One great way to start building this community is by getting to know your students' musical interests. Check out our Musical Identity Questionnaire for ice-breaker questions and a group discussion guide to help students share and connect.