Tuesday, June 7, 2016
What Socio-emotional Supports have we created in our classrooms?
How Trauma Is Changing Children's Brains
Being mindful of the challenges that many of our students have had...what systems or supports do we create and use to create a warm and safe environment in our classroom that brings out the best in our students.
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YOKA utilizes many systems and supports for all of our students' well-being and academic success. In particular, teachers implement "Brain Breaks" often, and the article states, "All students can benefit from short “movement breaks” every 30 minutes to “reframe the brain." In fact, us adults also benefit from these Brain Breaks during our meetings.
ReplyDeleteIn my class we have fully drunk the Kool-aid and are doing RJ circles weekly. it's difficult to enforce the "don't talk while others are talking" rule but they seem to like this sharing time and ask me if we're having circle today when I see them out on the yard. The girls really seem to enjoy this time.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your courage to jump in and try the RJ circles. What better way to learn. What a telling statement,"the girls seem to enjoy this time." Thank you for making time for them to build community and support in your classroom.
DeleteI always notice a significant difference in student behavior on Monday versus later in the week, ie. Thursday. I have to remind myself that students may have been exposed to traumatic or chaotic experiences over the weekend that lend to their behavioral difficulties. I find that by developing positive and stable relationships with students, it is often easier to navigate or redirect challenging behavior in times of crisis. This article reinforces the importance of maintaining a consistently predictable and steady environment for all students.
ReplyDeleteIn order to feel safe in my class, I address the need for respect everyday. As little as not judging students with smart remarks like "duh". Sometimes I understand it comes out without thinking, however, address why is not desired in the classroom. My students can be outspoken with non-offensive words. Thus, it is ok to speak your mind but don't use foul language. When they ask why, I blame it on me, and say because as a child that is all I heard and as an adult it still makes me cringe inside.
ReplyDeleteIt all starts with mutual respect and allowing the child to address you maybe out in the hallway where it may be a bit more private. Not being opinionated, and just listen is what they want most of the time. Offering advice or help after the student is done speaking is more accepted then when you interrupt and seem to not really be listening.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about mutual respect. We need to model for the kids how to maintain a safe space.
DeleteI too agree with you Mr. Ramos. Mutual respect allow students develop a positive classroom culture and safe environment.
DeleteI agree that it all starts with mutual respect. Knowing your students, taking interest in the latest trend, know what they are interested in and being able to talk about it. Show you are interested in their hobbies, favorite tv shows, music etc. makes a big deal. Show that you care about them, not just as a student but as a human being. Afterall, besides being a teacher, you become their mother, father, brother, sister, doctor, nurse, and friend just to mention a few.
ReplyDeleteBeing available for students to pull me aside if they are feeling overwhelmed and and talk has proved effective. Sometimes just listening to them alleviates the pressure. I also have allowed a troubled student to pull another student aside and vent for a few minutes and that has also worked really well. Once or twice I have sent students to our amazing counselors if they did not want to talk to me and normally the student returns feeling encouraged; the support utilized is an overall understanding, that if something is really bothering a student there are
ReplyDeletealways opportunities to talk about it, no matter what is happening in the lesson.
It is great to see such teamwork. You are really utilizing so many people to help support your students. Whether peer to peer or teacher to student or counselor to student...you are using others to best advocate for the well-being of your students.
DeleteGiving the students an opportunity to express their frustrations has helped. Even though it may get difficult at times, I also try to focus and highlight the positive to help create a more supportive classroom climate. I also allow my students to ask questions to help alleviate student anxiety.
ReplyDeleteMaintaining an open door policy with my students is one way for them to reach me if they ever have something that they need to talk about. Addressing student concerns on a one on one gives the students a better opportunity to open up about their issues inside or outside the classroom. Further if the students ever feel overwhelmed during the class, I give them the options to take a minute and breath outside and come into the classroom and work on an artist outlet with drawing or mandalas.
ReplyDeleteWhat has worked for me is having time to talk to students outside of just academics, and giving them a space to discuss their friends and family. Many of our students are trying to focus in the classroom but they have so much on their minds that we might not even realize. Some of them are dealing with family issues and others problems with their friends. I find giving them 5 minutes to "empty" their thoughts either before or after our lessons has created a more efficient lesson.
ReplyDeleteYou have done this year after year....having conversations with our students outside of academics that help build community in your classroom. Thank you for also realizing that it is challenging for some of our students to focus on the content due to what might be going on in their mind or outside of school. What a good idea to "plan" for that time to allow them to "empty" their thoughts before or after a lesson.
DeleteIn music we have created a family-like atmosphere....but we say that we are the family we chose. Therefore we treat each other with mutual respect. We all know the if someone is being critical of a person or section, it's because we care for them. This bond is not artificial it is legitimate.
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ReplyDeleteI have noticed that students respond well to you when they see that you are consistent in your expectations with all students. Students are sometimes surprised when I have to talk to students who are getting A's in my class. It shows them that I am treating everyone equally.
Students also appreciate when we maintain an classroom in which students do not put each other down.
Teambuilding brain breaks are very helpful in creating a community in the classroom
It starts with establishing a culture of respect and honesty in the classroom, both from the teacher and the students.Once students understand they are respected and will be spoken to honestly by the teacher, the lines of communication are easy to open and students needs can start to be addressed.
ReplyDeleteI am very intentional with my language when addressing the kids. I take from the growth-mindset language where I always praise the effort while not specifically calling anybody smart or dumb. I model the language I want to see from the students.
ReplyDeleteAnother big thing is I do not yell at the students. I have found that tends to raise the anger and anxiety level of students creating an even more stressful situation.
Furthermore, try to find the reason for the behavior. Sometimes students have just broken up with their boyfriend/girlfriend, their parents have a serious illness, or something happened to their siblings. There are many reasons for their behaviors. When I take the time to understand what is actually happening in their lives, they become more invested in the class and we build a better relationship.
Ferrel
In SDC rooms we use many of the strategies discussed in the article such as using calm colors, avoiding triggers such as cleaning products with strong odors, structured routines, brain breaks, and incentives mentioned in behavior plans. We also use RJ circles and other strategies that help students build their resiliency.
ReplyDeleteI try to develop a connection with all my students. I believe children desire structure along with a feeling that we care about them. We need to be available to listen to them.
ReplyDeleteI strongly believe that all humans want to feel a sense of purpose. In my classroom I try to make sure it is a safe place for expression. At the beginning of the semester we went over their role as student and my role as teacher. Respect is number 1 in my classroom and our goal is to have a place where they are free of judgement.
ReplyDeleteAs far as relations between the students and I, I try to notice the little things make them feel important. I always offer a listening ear.
I agree with Mr. Ramos. Mutual respect enables students to open up and seek for support. Really emphasizing that and modeling it in advisory is a good start.
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