There is a need to build democratic communities in classrooms, but what is a democratic community? What does it look like? What does it sound like? Democratic communities in schools provide students and teachers alike with an opportunity to learn, grow, and enhance their reasoning together. This environment allows all participants to share in its development and prosper from its achievements. A democratic community is one in which the teacher is the student and the student is the teacher. All individuals in the community have equal opportunity to create and contribute to learning as a respected member of the community. Creating a democratic community does not prepare students for the “real world”, a democratic community in the classroom is the “real world”.
What a Democratic Community Looks Like
Democratic communities reflect the democratic principles and society that this nation is based upon. Within a democratic community, “people are bonded to each other as a result of their mutual bindings to shared values, traditions, ideas, and ideals” (Sergiovanni, 61, 1994). Individuals have a common agenda, purpose, and goal. Within the classroom, the teacher and students have morning announcements that recognize achievements, recite a cheer or pledge, relay and important message, or a daily quote to inspire (Larrivee, 2005, p. 74).
Another key aspect of a democratic community is the establishment of a safe and secure environment for students. In this environment, students will feel free and open to collaborate and cooperate with each other and share experiences. The teacher in the democratic community cares for the students academically and socially, and the students know it. Key attributes of this community are respect, authenticity, thoughtfulness, and emotional integrity (Larrivee, 2005, p. 80).
In a democratic community students learn to make “decisions that are guided by an internalized set of attitudes, values, and democratic ways of being” (Pohan, 2003, p. 370). Students learn how to participate in a democratic society, not by reading about it, but by actually participating in one. In a democratic community, students actively participate in the democratic aspects of the classroom. Students participate in the establishment of rule and routines. They also help create the punishments and assist in carrying out those punishments. According to Cathy Pohan (2003), students are socialized for democratic development and participation.
What a Democratic Community Sounds Like
The look and sound of a democratic community in a classroom are different than most classrooms. Many teachers adopt an authoritarian approach to teaching. The teacher tells the students the rules, routines, guidelines, consequences, and punishments. Then the students either obey or disobey them. In establishing a democratic community, all individuals have a voice. The teacher and students together create the rules and punishments. Discussions and debates often occur in these classrooms, as they do in a democratic society. Students are often heard policing other students when they violate the rules that were established by the entire class. Not only do students engage in dialogue with their teacher, but also with each other. Students assist and challenge each other.
Larrivee, B. (2005). Authentic Classroom Management: Creating a Learning Community and Building Reflective Practice. Pearson Education, Inc.: Boston