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Bestseller!

Belonging in School
Creating a Place Where Kids Want to Learn and Teachers Want to Stay--An Illustrated Playbook

Fisher/Frey Imprint, Illustrated by Taryl Hansen



March 2024 | 280 pages | Corwin

Unlock a treasure trove of learning—make room for belonging in school

Belonging is an instinctual feeling: you know when you feel it—and you really know when you don’t. Creating a sense of belonging in the classroom has a significant impact on student learning and well-being; it serves as a gatekeeper for other aspects of learning to take root. But how do we create classrooms and schools where every student knows they belong?

This easy-to-use, illustrated playbook has you covered. 11 evidence-based modules feature actions and strategies that teachers can apply to help students feel more included. Interactive features such as essential questions and reflective prompts are designed to engage educators and deepen their understanding of the importance of connection and belonging in a student's educational experience.

Readers will find

  • Detailed coverage of the 11 dimensions of belonging
  • Evidence-based actions in every module to help foster belonging, balanced between elementary and secondary levels
  • Interactive features like Essential Questions, Two Truths and a Lie, Case in Point, What's Your Advice? and What's Next? to facilitate engagement and reflection
  • A highly visual illustrated style to promote comprehension and information retention

By utilizing this playbook’s strategies to create environments where students feel a sense of belonging, educators can help improve learning outcomes and academic performance while supporting the overall well-being of their students.


 
Introduction
 
Overview: Dimensions of Belonging
 
Module 1: Welcomed
 
Module 2: Invited
 
Module 3: Present
 
Module 4: Accepted
 
Module 5: Known
 
Module 6: Supported
 
Module 7: Befriended
 
Module 8: Involved
 
Module 9: Heard
 
Module 10: Needed
 
Module 11: Loved
 
Epilogue: Where Do We Go from Here?

The authors have done an amazing job of outlining the importance of building a sense of belonging for all stakeholders in education. The focus is on building positive relationships where everyone feels welcomed, invited, present, known, accepted, involved, heard, supported, befriended, needed, and loved.This is the core of what all educators need to invest their time and energy on. Once you create this sense of belonging, you can then tap into each student and educator's true potential. The sky's the limit once you make this happen.

Dick Keeler
Principal at Central Valley Academy

Belonging in School is a delightful primer on how schools can make students, staff, parents and guardians, and community members feel welcome. Students work for people they like in places they like. This book provides a pathway to create those conditions and ensure inclusivity, connectedness, and academic success for all.

Zachary S Robbins, Ph.D.
Author of Restorative Justice Tribunal

Yessss! (Or maybe - Finally!) A whole book devoted to building the kind of culture in schools that’s worth restoring. Every kid desires and deserves to belong. Teachers, listen up! Content knowledge matters less if you don’t know how to build community. The authors break down the dimensions of belonging in a way that engages educators and shows them how to create and hold space for every student.  

Shawn Bush, Ed.S.
Director of Student Services, MSD of Lawrence Township

Dr. Smith's work with our districts has been nothing short of transformative. With a deep understanding of the critical importance of creating an inclusive, supportive school environment, Dr. Smith has guided our educators and administrators to rethink traditional disciplinary approaches. Instead of punitive measures, we now focus on restorative practices, conflict resolution, and social-emotional learning. The result has been a marked decrease in disciplinary incidents and a notable increase in student engagement and satisfaction.

"Belonging in School" takes us to the next level in our journey toward creating a more inclusive, supportive, and positive educational environment. The illustrated playbook is a comprehensive guide that offers practical, actionable strategies for fostering belonging not only among students but also among teachers and staff. This holistic approach recognizes that when educators and staff feel a sense of belonging, it naturally extends to students, creating a ripple effect of positivity and engagement throughout our schools.

Summer Prather-Smith
Director of Engagement and School Climate, Santa Rita Union School District

Purchasing options

For large school/district orders, volume discounts, availability and shipping times contact customer service at 800-233-9936
or order@corwin.com.

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ISBN: 9781071936030
CAD$ 47.95

For large school/district orders, volume discounts, availability and shipping times contact customer service at 800-233-9936
or order@corwin.com.

For instructors

This book is not available as an inspection copy. For more information contact your local sales representative.