Because looping is not common in today's schools, it is important for teachers to create a classroom environment parents are comfortable with. According to Jim Grant of the National Looping and Multiage Educators Alliance, parents often worry that their child will not progress in looping environments. Teachers can ease parents' concerns by scheduling meetings to review the teachers' credentials and certifications to assure parents they can teach different grade levels. They can also engage parents in classroom activities so parents have a firm understanding of how looping classrooms operate. When parents understand their children's learning environment and are happy with it, they will encourage their children to perform at higher levels academically.
Students become very comfortable with one another in looping environments. They know their peers' learning styles, motivation levels and academic progress. This knowledge allows teachers to be creative with the teaching methods they use. Peer-to-peer teaching, grouping and lecturing and peer tutoring all work well in looping environments. These teaching styles give students the opportunity to learn from their teacher and from one another. For example, teachers can group students who need additional help in math with students who excel in the subject. Strong readers can help struggling readers during fluency and comprehension activities. Teachers act as facilitators during peer activities by walking around the classroom to assist students who need help.
The relationships that looping environments foster can encourage teachers and students to interact in more meaningful ways. Because looping environments build close relationships and make students feel a strong sense of belonging, teachers can continuously use this environment to build students' confidence. Public speaking activities give shy students the opportunity to overcome their fear of people in a comfortable setting. Student teaching assignments give students the opportunity to showcase their skills in areas where they are proficient while they teach their peers new strategies and ideas. Such activities encourage social interaction through academics.
In looping environments, classroom structure is critical. Because students are very comfortable with one another, they may occasionally want to misbehave. Teachers must make sure the structure within the classroom clearly outlines behavioral expectations for their students. It is imperative teachers of looping classrooms be effective classroom managers as they will spend several years with the same students. Consequently, teachers cannot tolerate unruly behavior and must take administrative action when students cause extreme classroom disruptions. It is also important they follow through with discipline and contact parents as often as necessary until inappropriate behavior stops.