Much of the learning addressed in the Health and Physical Education curriculum is personal, particularly in the Healthy Living strand, including learning about vaccines and connections to health. This learning is intrinsically connected to students’ families and relationships and their cultural and religious backgrounds. It is important to provide opportunities for students to listen and learn about diverse views and understand how these may differ from their own.
Establishing a safe, inclusive, and accepting learning environment where students can feel comfortable participating and where learning leads to thoughtful and productive conversations with and between students. When students feel safe, accepted, and included, they are more likely to actively engage in discussions, confidently express their point of view and collaborate in group tasks.
Educators may find it helpful to co-create classroom community agreements with their students at the start of the learning process. Ask students to generate a list of rules and behaviours they think will set them up for success, adding any rules or behaviours that students may have omitted. To identify individual and class needs, ask students questions such as the following:
- How can you help make this space comfortable for others and help everyone be successful?
- What do you need from this space to feel comfortable and help you contribute and succeed?
Refine the co-created list with students to establish a shared understanding of the agreements. Post the agreements for students to reference throughout learning. Consider reviewing the agreements throughout learning and using them as a tool for student reflection