This document provides tips for connecting with students who have emotional and behavioral disabilities (E/BD). It suggests making personal, academic, and social connections. For personal connections, the document recommends greeting students, learning their interests, and sharing your own information. Academic connections include congratulating students, offering awards, asking open-ended questions, and consulting other faculty. Social connections involve having a thank you board, playing icebreaker games, sponsoring charities, and having students develop classroom rules. The overall teaching philosophy emphasized is providing a safe, positive environment that respects different learners and opinions.
2. Personal Connection Personal Index Cards (21) A Smile (22) Greeting Students (23) B-Day Cards (24) Pictures (24) Hand out your own information card Talk to the students about things that are happening now “NBA playoffs” Reference different school related sports or activities Take a personal interest in their interest From Mendler: Other Methods:
3. Academic Connection Congratulate students (45) Offer Personal Best awards (44) Have open ended questions (47) Consult faculty (48) Show pictures of yourself if you have traveled to a place the students are learning about Talk about why you like a particular topic and what makes it interesting for you From Mendler:
4. Social Connection Have a thank you center or bulletin board (64) Play “Find someone who” (64) Sponsor a charity (65) Have students develop classroom rules (68) Encourage a friendly rivalry with another class by competing in your own academic debate or jeopardy game
5. A Great Teaching philosophy For All Classrooms Provide a safe and positive learning environment one that welcomes a variety of learning styles and encourages students to share their opinions while respecting the opinions of others
