Welcome! This section is about making our classroom culture. This will help us learn and grow together.

A. Warm up

Do you know the word “collective”?  Search for the word on the internet or in a dictionary. Translate the word to another of your language(s). Write down your definition and translation(s) below. Check your definition with your classmate(s).

This class will work as a collective. This means we will:

• Show care for everyone
• Help one another learn
• Help one another understand
• Work together
• Talk together
• Share our ideas
• Work to trust one another

We can build community and succeed together!

B. Shared Values

Part 1:

Work by yourself first.

• How should people work together in class? How should people treat one another? Make a list of the things that are important for you in school. (Here are some examples: taking turns speaking, listening to each other, etc.)

Part 2:

Work with a partner or small group. Share your list. Create a poster (or another type of visual aid) in the classroom to show the values that you share together. Values are things you think are important. Talk about the questions below:

• Which values are most important to you?
• Do you agree with the values that you listed together?
• Do you want to change or add anything?

Keep your shared values poster(s) in a common area. Use the poster(s) to help you work together as a collective.

C. Planning for Self-Care and Support

Self care means staying healthy. Let’s take care of our minds and bodies while we learn.

Work with a small group or partner. How can you take care of yourself while you study? Make a list of actions.

Share your ideas with your instructor and the class. How many actions did you list together? Use this list of actions to help you stay healthy as we learn!

1. Which actions can you do every day?
2. Which actions can you do every week?
3. Which actions can you do every month?
4. How can you get help with self care?

D. Making Goals

A goal helps us to be successful. Think about your goals for this class. Write down 1-3 goals for your learning.

Now think about how you can reach these goals. Write down steps you can take to reach your goals.

Think about your classmates, teacher, and/or community. How can everyone help you to reach your goals? These ideas help us to work as a collective.

Note: Your instructor can do this goal setting activity too! We all have goals that we want to reach!