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Ten Ways to Make a Newcomer Feel Comfortable in Your Classroom or Program
By Tobi Kibel Piatek | September 1, 2008
A new school year is beginning. Every year, children and families come to Oregon from around the country and around the world. For some kids, this means not only a new classroom, but a new school, and for some, a new state, even a new country and a new language. It can’t be easy to be in a new place surrounded by unfamiliar faces, rules and expectations. The climate is different, the rules have changed, and even the way people speak is new.
To start year off right, for newcomers (whether from around the block or around the globe) are ten things that teachers and mentors can do to help newcomers feel at home:
1. Help orient newcomers to their new school (or program) with a complete tour.
2. Make sure they have a buddy for recess, lunch, bus, etc. If possible, extend the buddy system to include an older native speaker (6th grader, HSer, adult) to chat, read, help with homework.
3. Invite newcomers to tell their story - either to you or the class.
4. Draw and present a picture or share photographs of their former home. Invite the newcomer to include pictures of family, pets and favorite places.
5. As the class learns about the place the newcomer is from, compare details such as climate, language, school clothes, etc.
6. Invite non-English speakers to help label classroom items in room in their native language(s). You might provide 3×5 or sticky notes to hang around the room. For example, the door will have labels saying puerto, and whatever other language is found in the room.
7. Hang flags from native countries that represent the school population.
8. Have multi - lingual welcome signs to welcome families and students.
9. Schedule culture days – opportunities for students to explore different cultures, read books, view movies, hear music, taste food, share pictures from their original homes.
10. Provide multi-lingual books and books that take place in other states and countries to read during quiet reading. Encourage student to maintain 1st language reading skills.
One more thing, teachers - allow newcomer to “checkout” for a bit, especially if they are immersed in a new language. A card with green on one side and red on the other let’s the student flip it to red when they need a break. Experience shows that this prevents students from hiding in the bathroom for a brain break.
Thanks to Ms. Sooper, English Language Development teacher from the North Clackamas School District for these ideas.
Topics: BACK TO SCHOOL, Creating a Positive, Culturally Competent |