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Trust is often described as “the glue of life” and is foundational in all relationships including the ones we have with children. At its core, trust is the willingness of one person to be vulnerable to the actions of another. When we trust, we operate on the belief that another person will act in our best interest — or at least according to an agreed-upon set of principles — even when we aren't there to monitor them. Integrity, which is the belief that a person’s actions will match their stated principles, is particularly important to build trust with children ages 9-12. Hamlet’s advise to the Players whom he has invited to perform at the castle is to "suit the action to the word, the word to the action”. This is good advice for the classroom, too. Modeling integrity for students is extremely important because it enables them to observe it in action. If you make a mistake, be frank and confident about it. Don’t lie or cover it up. Let the students see how confident you can be even amid chaos, noise, and other distractions. And ask for their help. This will help build trust over time as students observe your internal compass of integrity by doing as you say you will do. For 9-12-year-olds, integrity can be developed by: Modeling: When you admit your own mistakes, it gives students permission to be honest about theirs. Safe Failure: Creating an environment where "getting it wrong" is essential to the process. During rehearsals, no choice is “right or wrong” if students can support their artistic choices with evidence in the text. In fact, “getting it wrong” is what makes rehearsal rehearsal. They are learning opportunities, like iterative “drafts” of a writing assignment. This environment can reduce the incentive to lie or cheat. Reflective Discussions: Asking how and why questions about the characters they play like, "How did it feel for Brutus to lie and betray Julius Caesar? What would you have done if you were in the same situation? How would you feel?”. Chapter 8: Inquiry and Reflection in Stage It: Making Shakespeare Come Alive in Schools offers a reflective framework for theater making in the classroom.
Many thanks for taking a few minutes to explore ways to build trust in your classroom.
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