I Belong with Monsters

http://flic.kr/p/jhG6K

People want to belong. There is something just ingrained in us that makes us want to be accepted, cared about and important. In the classroom, students are always worried bout what belongs and what doesn't, who belongs and who doesn't. We do it too. Which teachers belong, which students belong together, which belong apart? How do we create a lesson plan that belongs in the curriculum? How about a test? Belonging is much more than looks, ability and personality. 

Look at your classroom like a living monster with body parts of all sorts, shapes and sizes that not only can function, but those limbs can function individually and together. Finding the pieces of this moving monster puzzle can be difficult at times and cause every teacher to question themselves and their class.

Just like students adapt to fit in, you can adapt how you work. You can take that monster of a classroom and build a system that supports all the components. Making accomplishments out of possible failures can help you feel important and help your students feel like they belong. How can you find accomplishments in what you do to help build a wave of success for your teaching, classroom and students?