What does it mean to ‘find common ground’ with your students?

Whether you’re a teacher or a tutor, finding common ground with your students is one of the most effective ways to increase engagement and improve attendance. Plus, finding common ground can lead to a boost in academic performance and make it much more pleasurable for you to mark their school exercise books. But, what does ‘finding common ground’ actually mean?

What does it mean to ‘find common ground’ with your students?

Well, here’s everything you need to know about creating positive student-teacher relationships, and how they can improve learning.

Learn about your students

As a teacher, ideally you’ll want your students to respect you, engage with your lessons and succeed in their exams. Learning about your pupils can be the first step to achieving these goals. Why? Because getting to know your students is a simple and effective way to build connections and find common ground.

Give your pupils a questionnaire to find out about their hobbies, likes and dislikes. This information will allow you to learn about your students, have meaningful conversations and show your pupils that you care.

Prepare pupils for success

All teachers know that academic success is about more than hard work; confidence and self-belief play a pivotal role in application and achievement.
The way a student perceives their abilities in the classroom can determine how they apply themselves and the grades they achieve.

Demonstrate your belief that each of your students can thrive and succeed by providing ongoing support, rewarding effort and expecting improvement. A clear showing of your confidence can help you to build a bond with your students, make children feel more capable in the classroom and push your pupils to surpass their own expectations.

Inspire a love of learning

Think back to your school days and recall your favourite teachers. What is it that makes their lessons stand out? You’re likely to have fond memories of teachers who made their lessons fun, supported your ambitions or inspired your love for a particular subject.

Laughter is an effective way to find common ground with your students and foster a love of learning. Making lessons fun, telling stories and jokes can bring your subject to life while building positive relationships and ensuring pupils engage with your lessons.

Create a kind and caring environment

Test scores and exam results are often the focus but it’s important to create a classroom that makes students feel comfortable. After all, pupils who are supported and nurtured are more likely to connect with their peers, teachers and lessons, making them more likely to succeed.

A classroom where students feel welcome is one that allows children to make mistakes and caters to different learning styles. This can allow you to find common ground with your pupils and help them to develop their individual skills.

We know it takes a lot of work to build connections with your students, which is why we’re here to help. With more than 45 years of experience, we supply the high-quality educational resources and books your students need to succeed. This includes personalised exercise books, homework diaries and teacher planners, so that your class can learn, progress and achieve. Alternatively, if you have any questions, you can give us a call on 01254 686 500. We’re always happy to help!

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