Community Agreements for Middle School: Creating a Positive Learning Environment

Middle school can be a challenging time for students as they navigate new academic expectations, social relationships, and personal growth. One way to help students feel more confident and comfortable in their learning environment is through the use of community agreements.

Community agreements are a set of shared expectations created by a group of people to guide their interactions with each other. In a classroom setting, community agreements help to establish a positive and supportive learning environment where all students feel safe, respected, and valued.

Here are some tips for creating effective community agreements for middle school:

1. Involve students in the process

Students are more likely to buy into community agreements if they are involved in creating them. Consider having students brainstorm a list of expectations that they believe are important for creating a positive classroom environment. Then, work together as a group to condense the list into a manageable set of agreements.

2. Keep it simple

Community agreements should be easy to understand and remember. Avoid using complex language or too many rules. Instead, focus on a few key expectations that are essential to creating a positive and respectful learning environment.

3. Be specific

While it’s important to keep the agreements simple, it’s also important to be specific. For example, instead of saying “be respectful,” consider stating specific behaviors that demonstrate respect, such as “listen when others are speaking” or “use kind and appropriate language.”

4. Display the agreements

Once the community agreements are established, display them prominently in the classroom. This serves as a reminder to students of the expectations and helps to hold everyone accountable.

5. Review and revise as needed

Community agreements should be reviewed periodically to ensure that they are still relevant and effective. If issues arise in the classroom, consider revising the agreements to address them.

By creating and adhering to community agreements, middle school students can develop a sense of responsibility, self-awareness, and accountability. These agreements can also help to establish a positive and supportive learning environment where all students can thrive.