Building Student Relationships across Grade Levels
First Presenter's Institution
Gesu Catholic School
First Presenter's Brief Biography
Laurie has taught in the catholic school system for 30 years. She has taught in kindergarten, fourth grade and second grade. She has a K-8 bachelors degree in education and a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction.
Second Presenter's Institution
Gesu Catholic School
Second Presenter’s Email Address
carlozzi@gesugreyhoundz.com
Second Presenter's Brief Biography
Melissa has taught high school for 3 years, and Social Social Studies for 4 years in middle school. Her degree is in general education.
Document Type
Event
Primary Strand
Youth Resiliency
Relevance to Primary Strand
The work we have done in our classroom has positively impacted the communication skills between students in various grade levels. The students have moved outside of their same age peer groups and comfort zone to develop relationships with other students 5-6 years younger/older than themselves. The older students have gained leadership skills, have been able to practice their academics techniques and skills while tutoring and mentoring the younger students. The older students often feel empowered and experience a sense of importance because they have a younger student who is relying on them. The younger students have developed a friendship with the older students whereas in other settings would likely not happen. The younger students feels a sense of safety, and that someone is watching over them instead of fear when they see the "big kids" in the halls or lunch room. Each group receives positive attention that might not be received otherwise. These relationships are building a positive community atmosphere where life long practices are being experienced.
Alignment with School Improvement Plan Topics
Student Learning and Development
Brief Program Description
In this presentation we will cover the importance of building student to student relationships, not only within the classroom but especially across grade levels. We will share and explain a variety of ideas, projects, topics and lessons that we have done and some ideas that are in the works.
Summary
Social Emotional Learning is an important part of not only learning, but basic human development. It supports not only the well being of students but also, positive connections/relationships between differing peer groups. Teaching students within the school setting pertinent concepts beyond the classroom core academic classes, enables educators to teach the “whole” student. Students will learn basic and lifelong competence in communication, relationship building, and decision making. Thus, providing students the opportunity to flourish not only academically, but also socially, and emotionally by giving students the ability to process and form such skills with meaningful mentorships and/or “buddies”. The older students are modeling positive behaviors for their younger peers, deciphering conflicts, learning to communicate in effective and positive ways. In return, the younger students are watching, and looking up to their mentor, feeling confident with a friendship from someone older. All in all, this will improve student/peer behaviors, attitudes, and mindsets. Interpersonal skills are developed and fostered between both groups as they practice these lifelong lessons. Lessons within these relationships help students develop the ability to resolve conflicts in a positive manner, manage emotions before reaching a boiling point, and learning to make reasonable decisions. The “buddies” learn life skills from each other, and not necessarily ‘drilled’ into the students by the educator.
Evidence
Building relationships starts at birth. Trust issues are developed within the first months of life between an infant and its caregiver. These relationships continue to grow and expand as children grow and step out of the family circle and into society. Forming relationships is a necessary part of human existence. Research shows that building and maintaining healthy relationships help people live longer, deal with stress better, have healthier habits, navigate stressors, solve problems and overcome challenges. The benefits of social connections and mental health have shown to lower anxiety and depression and raise one's self-esteem. These benefits have also proven to increase a persons ability to empathize with others and have more trusting and cooperative relationships. (Better Health)
Students who have strong relationships with one another and with their teachers are are found to have a stronger foundation for student engagement, belonging and ultimately, learning. (edtrust.org)
When a student feels supported, whether by their teacher, their peers, or an older schoolmate, they are more likely to engage in learning and have better academic success. (Understood.org)
As students feel more connected to their school and the people inside it, they are less likely to smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, become involved in violence and other risky behaviors. They are also more likely to have better attendance, grades and test scores and stay in school. (safesupportivelearning.ed.gov)
As our society experiences detriments and threats to the school climate, it is becoming more necessary to work harder to incorporate relationship building activities and programs within the confines of our educational system. Helping students develop the tools to build healthy relationships and practicing these skills within a safe environment is key to their successful future.
Learning Objective 1
identify student populations in need of relationship building techniques.
Learning Objective 2
explore and develop projects, lessons, and ideas to use with their buddy groups.
Learning Objective 3
facilitate buddy groups with the classroom environment.
Recommended Citation
Skowronski, Laurie A. Mrs. and Carlozzi, Melissa, "Building Student Relationships across Grade Levels" (2023). Southeast Conference on School Climate. 89.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/secsc/2023/2023/89
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Building Student Relationships across Grade Levels
Social Emotional Learning is an important part of not only learning, but basic human development. It supports not only the well being of students but also, positive connections/relationships between differing peer groups. Teaching students within the school setting pertinent concepts beyond the classroom core academic classes, enables educators to teach the “whole” student. Students will learn basic and lifelong competence in communication, relationship building, and decision making. Thus, providing students the opportunity to flourish not only academically, but also socially, and emotionally by giving students the ability to process and form such skills with meaningful mentorships and/or “buddies”. The older students are modeling positive behaviors for their younger peers, deciphering conflicts, learning to communicate in effective and positive ways. In return, the younger students are watching, and looking up to their mentor, feeling confident with a friendship from someone older. All in all, this will improve student/peer behaviors, attitudes, and mindsets. Interpersonal skills are developed and fostered between both groups as they practice these lifelong lessons. Lessons within these relationships help students develop the ability to resolve conflicts in a positive manner, manage emotions before reaching a boiling point, and learning to make reasonable decisions. The “buddies” learn life skills from each other, and not necessarily ‘drilled’ into the students by the educator.
