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Second Classrooms

Materials required
Implementation procedure
Strategy in practice

  • Notepad

  • Writing utensils

  1. Inform students that as a practice you will be available to them in a “second classroom” if they need to reach out to you. During this time, your classroom will be open outside of standard class hours, and you will make yourself available to them to serve as a support.

  2. Establish a time and a designated place for the second classroom.

  3. Encourage students to drop by the second classroom to speak to you.

Lara usually teaches the last class in the day on Fridays. At the beginning of her class, she reminds her fifth-grade students that she will be available in Room 104 after class for her “second classroom” sessions. She encourages the students to drop by if they want to have any one-on-one discussions (academic or otherwise) or even to just drop in to chat for a bit.

 

She informs them that this is just an opportunity for them to get to know each other better and for her to see if she can help them with anything that they may be struggling with. She also ensures them that whatever they talk about will remain private.

After class one Friday, Sean walks in. He’s struggling with math but is afraid to admit it. Lara recognizes that this is a big step for Sean and uses the conversation as an opportunity to find out why he’s struggling, his main pain points and then works with him to create a detailed action plan. Both Lara and Sean leave the second classroom feeling hopeful and empowered.

References:

Schultz, K. (2009). Rethinking classroom participation: Listening to silent voices. New York: Teachers College.

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