At Logos Christian Academy, one of the fundamental principles we teach our students is the importance of community. The way we impart this lesson varies based on the students' ages. Older students may take a more active role in the community by helping at events, providing support where needed, and assisting younger students in school. For younger children, the first step in teaching about community is often helping them shift their focus away from themselves. This can be a new and challenging concept for six-year-olds, but I witness it happening daily at Logos.
Coaching young students to recognize that others have needs and desires, too, can seem straightforward, but at this age, their focus tends to revolve around themselves. We start fostering a sense of community in the classroom by encouraging students to see that we all share the same goal: to learn! By helping one another, they can achieve these goals more quickly. In the classroom, we prioritize collective objectives over individual achievements.
For instance, we engage in a game called "Sight Word Round Up," whereas in class, we try to read as many sight words as possible in three minutes. We set goals for this game each week based on the class's performance. Success is measured by the improvement of the whole class, not just by individual students. Another community-oriented question I often ask is, "Can we finish this task in 10 minutes?" instead of, "Can you finish the task in 10 minutes?" Students begin to think about their classmates' needs by focusing on our classroom community. Being the first to finish becomes less critical, as there's no reward for it. Instead, students naturally look around after completing a task to see who needs help.
Galatians 6:2 states, "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." I often stand back in awe of the communal behavior I observe in my classroom as students help one another. I love teaching, and sometimes it's hard not to intervene, but even the best teacher must recognize that children can teach each other in ways that a teacher cannot. I listen closely to ensure no one is simply giving away answers; typically, my ears are filled with little voices offering prompts and abundant encouragement. It is truly a remarkable sight to behold.
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