DQ8: Establishing and Maintaining Effective Relationships
with Students
Element 37
Strategies for Using Verbal and Nonverbal Behaviors that Indicate Affection for Students
Greeting Students at the Classroom Door
The teacher should use students’ first names when greeting them at the door. He or she may also inquire how
they are feeling and make positive comments about their learning or achievements.
Informal Conferences
Throughout the class time teachers can find time to informally converse with their students. During these
informal talks teachers can give compliments, ask for student opinions, mention student successes, and pass
on positive comments from other teachers.
Attending After-School Functions
A teacher can demonstrate affection for those students who may feel alienated by attending after-school
activities in which the student participates. The teacher should notify the student prior of their plan to attend
the activity and make an effort to connect if possible with the student before, during or after the event.
Although this often takes time away from the teacher’s personal sphere, it can be helpful in future interactions
with the student.
Greeting Students By Name Outside of School
When a teacher encounters a student outside of school at venues such as the grocery store, Movie Theater,
or shopping mall, he or she can show affection for the student by greeting them by their name. The interaction
does not need not be lengthy, and can be as simple as saying, “Hi, Julia. It’s good to see you. Have a good day!”
Giving Students Special Responsibilities or Leadership Roles in the Classroom
The teacher can demonstrate affection for students by assigning them to complete specific tasks in
the classroom, such as caring for a class pet or collecting assignments. If a student’s previous actions
have merited it, the teacher may give the student a leadership role on a project or ask him or her to take
responsibility for a specific task on a field trip (delivering the lunches to the lunch location, for example).
Scheduled Interaction
To ensure that a teacher has regular interactions with each student, the teacher can create a schedule.
Each day the teacher can schedule interaction with a few students to seek out and talk to. In addition to class
time, these interactions can occur with students in the lunchroom, during breaks between classes, or right
after school.
Design Question 8 | Element 37
Copyright © 2012 Learning Sciences International
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Photo Bulletin Board
A bulletin board can be created to feature a photo of each student. Students can posts their thoughts about
the class, their personal goals, and other information about themselves and their interests underneath their
photo. Photos and information can be changed periodically, depending on the topic of study.
Physical Behaviors
Appropriate physical signs of encouragement such as smiles, hugs, and high-fives can be use by teachers
to communicate interest in students. Simply, patting a student on the back or putting a hand on a student’s
shoulder can also communicate interest or concern for a student. Without evading a student’s personal space
a teacher can communicate concern or interest while talking to a student, the teacher can look at them in the
eyes, stand close to them or appear interested in what they have to say.
Humor
When appropriate the teacher may use playful banter, jokes, or self-directed humor to build relationships
with students. The teacher can also integrate the use of historical and popular sayings to make a point, or
incorporate cartoons, jokes, puns, and plays on words into instruction to incorporate humor in the classroom.
Design Question 8 | Element 37
Copyright © 2012 Learning Sciences International
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