Perform a Name Activity during one of your first meetings with a new class or group of students. Have each student write his name on a name tag, affixing the tag to a visible portion of his shirt. From here, proceed with an interactive lesson, such as group reading or arithmetic. Each time you want a new student to start reading, look directly at him, calling him by his first name. By the end of the class meeting, have the students take off their name tags. If you have successfully memorized their names, calling them by their first names while walking through the hall or in a one-on-one counseling meeting will help develop a personal connection between you and your students.
Posting office hours is an excellent way to make yourself available to your students in a less formal and more personal setting. Meeting with your students individually will help you learn important details about their homes and personal lives. During these meetings, keep the mood light, making jokes occasionally to keep the environment more casual and conducive to open discussion. If a child is not opening up during her meeting, play a simple game such as a game of cards to help take the pressure off talking and help you build rapport with him.
Going on a retreat or field trip with your students will also help you get to know them in a less restrictive environment. Performing trust-building activities during this trip will help build rapport between you and your students and among the students themselves. A specific example of a trust-building exercise is having one student stand on a table or step. With his back turned to a group of teachers and students, instruct him to fall back. As he falls back, you will all reach out and catch him.
Perform the Common Ground Activity with a group of students or one student. Pass out a worksheet to your student(s) with a series of questions focusing on personal interests and information. For example, formulate questions that ask about the student's favorite color, sport or activity. Along with the students, you should complete one of the worksheets. After you have collected all of the answers, list on the board all of the students who have similar interests; let them meet to discuss their similarities. Revealing common ground to the students will help build rapport.