Activities
If you’ve ever read the Harry Potter books or seen the movies (and who hasn’t?), you have at least a passing familiarity with the concept of scholastic houses like Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff. But since most of us teach in the Muggle world, you might think that houses and sorting ceremonies and all the hullabaloo surrounding this system would be irrelevant to us and our students. But you would be wrong. In fact, because of the tremendous benefits of a house system, schools like The Ron Clark Academy offer resources to help other schools implement their own house program.
Here’s why every school should have a house system.
1. School houses give every kid the chance to be a part of something.
By creating smaller, more connected communities within the broader school community, students have a built-in place where they belong. They are automatically a part of a group—but not just nominally. Academic houses don’t merely encourage inclusion, they rely on it. Working together to gain points means that students must recognize and encourage each member’s talents and abilities. Once a student is placed (or sorted) into a house, he becomes a part of a little family that will cheer him on and rely on his participation to reach specific goals. This can be extremely positive for new kids or kids who struggle to fit in—because a sense of belonging can have a tremendous impact on a child’s happiness, identity, and even academic engagement.
2. Every kid gets a chance to contribute.
As at Hogwarts, one major function of school houses is competition. Throughout the year, each house earns points through things like athletic contests, academic success, artistic endeavors, team spirit, and attendance. At my school, houses (or orders as we call them) compete each month in things like flag football, badminton, paper airplane making, banner design, and Lego building contests. Students can also earn points for their order with their GPA. This means that everyone has a chance to help their house earn points whether or not they are athletic or make great grades. Contributing to their house’s goal in this way can be a huge confidence booster for kids–particularly those who don’t feel like they stand out in any one area.
3. School houses provide opportunities for mentoring and one-on-one connections.
In my college sorority, as a pledge, everyone was assigned a Big Sister. Members were given Little Sisters. Often “sisters” developed close relationships. Younger girls had someone they could go to with questions about the sorority or college life. Older girls liked being able to mentor someone younger. The same types of relationships can be encouraged within an academic house.
Whether they are called Bigs and Littles or something else, students are given the opportunity to make a meaningful connection with someone they might now otherwise get to know. Bigs and Littles can be encouraged to do projects together to earn points for their house. They can remember each other’s birthdays or be expected to cheer each other on at events or encourage each other throughout the school year. With clear guidelines and opportunities for bonding, a Big/Little relationship within a house can provide students with an even deeper sense of belonging and connection.
4. Houses give schools an opportunity to express the identity or values of their school or local community.
I teach in a Catholic school, so students are divided into orders (as in religious orders) rather than houses. The students in each order learn about their founding saint and their order’s motto. It’s a great way for our school to help kids further embrace our Catholic identity. Some schools might choose to name their orders after specific virtues, local landmarks, important figures from history or literature, or the elements. The Ron Clark Academy’s house program allows schools to use the house names created by the academy, each with its own identity and story. However schools choose to name their houses, each house should express some important aspect of the broader community.
5. A school house system is fun!
One of the most compelling reasons to adopt a school house system is because it’s fun. Teachers and kids often lament that the school day has become too structured and that stringent academic expectations make it impossible to incorporate fun into the learning experience. But because the school house system promotes a strong sense of belonging, it is a great way to increase academic engagement. So administrators and the powers they answer to can more than justify the time “off-task.” A house system is fun with a higher purpose. Kids welcome the occasional break from their routine for house activities, and they love the chance to engage in some healthy, spirited competition. It’s really a win/win!
A few things to keep in mind
- Each house will need some adults (likely teachers) to serve as house sponsors.
- Adults should guide and supervise students but allow kids to take ownership of their houses by taking on leadership positions and deciding (some) things as a group.
- Teachers and administrators should work together to divide houses as equally as possible. No stacking the teams–not all the athletes or whiz kids in one house.
- Develop systems within each house for including and encouraging every student.
- Choose Big and Little pairs carefully so that there is a good chance of forming a solid bond.
- Provide a variety of ways for students to earn points for their team so that everyone can contribute.
- Place a lot of emphasis on house spirit and community.
- Get matching t-shirts!
- Understand that a successful house system can take some time to build and a little trial and error. You will make mistakes, but keep trying. It will be worth it.
- Remember that one goal of the house system is to build a stronger overall school community. Look for ways for houses to work together to benefit the school. The school as a whole should be made greater by the strength of each house.
- Consider talking to another school that has a house system or getting professional guidance.
There are a lot of books (check out this list!) programs, and professional development classes geared toward helping students have a more positive and engaging school experience. That’s because of all the things we do as educators, helping kids feel like they matter is one of the most important. A school house system is a great way to do just that, and being a part of a house will provide kids with the opportunity for relationships and memories that will last well past their school days.
