A school is a place where people go to learn. It may include classrooms, labs and workshops. It might also have cafeterias or dining halls.
Students crave learning that relates to their lives. They appreciate teachers who understand and practice cultural competence. They want looping, where teachers stay with the same students for more than a year.
Education
The primary function of schools is to teach students the basics of reading, writing, arithmetic and other subjects. This education is necessary to ensure that all members of a society have the skills needed to get a job and support themselves financially.
As societies become more complex, there is an increasing quantity of knowledge that must be passed from one generation to the next. This knowledge is too extensive for an individual to learn from observing or imitating, so formal education is required. Schools are the most common means of this transmission of culture.
Schools are also responsible for teaching students how to think independently and solve problems. This is important because it will prepare them for the future, no matter what career they choose. Many public schools are able to offer advanced classes and courses in specialized fields, such as technology or the arts. These choices can help students who want to excel academically and those who prefer a more relaxed classroom environment to find their educational niche.
Socialization
School is a crucial part of socialization. Children spend much of their time at school, and they learn many of their socialisation skills from the teacher-student relationship. In addition, the school setting introduces them to a different set of social expectations and norms than they are used to at home.
For example, schools often establish codes of conduct which students are expected to follow or face a sanction. These codes are based on values such as fairness, hard work, and respect for others.
Socialisation also involves developing friendships which promote collaboration. Friendships increase learning through the sharing of ideas, encourage a range of viewpoints, and generate enduring memories. Children who have a supportive network of peers are more resilient and self-confident, which is important when they encounter challenges like starting school. This enables them to take risks and approach strangers with confidence. They also develop cognitive skills through socialisation such as communication, empathy, and problem-solving.
Sense of Community
Schools are natural hubs of community activity and can play an important role in providing students a sense of belonging. Students need to feel safe and supported at school, which includes feeling connected to their teachers and peers and being given a voice in the classroom.
Creating a sense of community in schools requires collaboration and communication from administrators, teachers, parents and students. This should start at the top, with school administrators setting the tone and promoting culture building activities. This should include fostering open lines of communication, which can be done through modern discussion management platforms like ThoughtExchange.
In addition, teachers should collaborate together on class initiatives and activities that build student confidence and support their sense of belonging. Classroom shared agreements that reflect a common understanding of classroom norms are a powerful way to bring teachers and students together. The same goes for teacher collaboration on group projects, which can help build a community of learners who are more likely to succeed in their academics and beyond.
Collaboration
The Latin word collaborare means “to labor together.” Teachers who collaborate often say that working with their peers is a very satisfying part of the job. The research supports this sentiment, with studies showing that teacher collaboration leads to greater teaching skills and student achievement.
A good example of collaboration occurs in collaborative learning classrooms, where students work together on projects or other activities that require group work. This teaches students to communicate their thoughts and opinions in an open, respectful manner and allows them to learn from each other.
The collaborative learning environment also teaches students how to evaluate their own performance by using group evaluations. This makes assessment less threatening than when a teacher assesses each individual student. It also helps students make important connections between their own knowledge and the lessons they learn in school. Administrators can encourage collaboration by making the time and space for teachers to connect with each other and brainstorm ideas. For example, they can use Critical Friends Groups (CFGs), which are a type of PLC that is designed to develop trust and relationships among educators.