In a community, every student feels heard and understood. This means taking the time to get to know each individual students likes and dislikes; their learning styles and preferences; and their learning exceptionalities and gifts. It is important to use this invaluable information to structure your classroom environment. Some students will inevitably love a lively and active classroom.
For these students (and being sure to encourage all to participate) have activities that allow students to move around and process orally. Try "wiggle seats" or balance balls, bounce bands and standing desks for activities where students are required to be confined to smaller spaces. In contrast, there will also be students who require a very quiet, calming classroom. For them it is important to have a space for them to go to experience this peace and quiet. A cozy reading corner or even several desks where students can work independently instead of near other students. To work in times of quiet, solitary work is also beneficial, whether this means a short meditation or quiet, music-listening period, or a silent reading time to give students the needed calm.
In a community, every student must be given the tools to reach optimum learning and growth. This means including the necessary supports for all students including those with learning disabilities and exceptionalities; those with physical disabilities; those with difficult home lives; those with financial barriers; and, those with cultural, religious or linguistic barriers. While it is important to foster relationships with all of your students, and be personally sure that their needs are being met there is an understanding that many, though not all, of these barriers and challenges can be helped by technology. For students with learning disabilities there are programs to read test and books out loud. There are technologies that allow students to type or speak their thoughts instead of hand-write them. There are programs to increase the font size or read orally pieces of writing that are difficult for students with visual impairment.
Most importantly, in a community, every student is accepted. Every person is different from the next. Every person is unique and wonderful. Developing a classroom spirit that celebrates these differences and expresses the joy and understanding that go along with diversity will make for the most inclusive classroom possible!