Classroom Strategies for SEL and Equity
Tier 1 - Strategies for Proactive Classroom Management and Building Relationships - for Each and Every Student
This approach examines curriculum, behavior expectations, and equity by engaging students and their cultural backgrounds as strengths. Click the link to be taken to a page full of resources.
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Based in brain science, trauma-informed practices explore the psychological reaction humans have to trauma, how trauma impacts learning and behavior for our students, and how to change our mindsets to support students who have experienced trauma.
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How can you create a responsive classroom space? Evaluate where you are using this walkthrough tool.
Extend your SEL practices to promote equity. “Transformative SEL” is a process whereby young people and adults build strong, respectful, and lasting, relationships that facilitate co-learning to critically examine root causes of inequity. Click to learn more about TSEL from CASEL in the links above.
Tier 1 Classroom Behavior Systems
In their book, Behavior Solutions by the Hannigans, Mattos and Buffum, the authors outline four components of a comprehensive classroom behavior management system - the four C's - climate, communication, curriculum and culture. For behavior prevention, teachers need to understand and consistently implement the best practices of the four C's. Use the "Teacher Audit of the Four C's in a Classroom Behavior System" to assess your strengths and consider room for growth. An online version of the audit can be completed here. The doc linked below has resources for exploring these areas.
Mindfulness Practice
Mindfulness is a practice that Helps people live in the present, and reduce stress and anxiety.
Learn more about the neuroscience and benefits of mindfulness in this presentation by Katie Barrantes and Kelly Samuelson. Mindfulness can be used with students to teach emotional regulation, relaxation, and coping skills. Check out this Mindfulness guide by Chelsea Cunha with resources you can use to implement Mindfulness in your own classrooms!
Ensure that your mindfulness practice is trauma-informed by using these tips during your class.
An Alternative to Warmup Problems
Looking to swap your bell ringer routine and build relationships with students. This article describes the what and why of using cold opens as attendance questions to learn about your students.
De-escalation Strategies
Want to avoid the power struggle in your classes? A change in mindset can lead to big shifts in classroom management effectiveness. Learn how to diffuse behavior with De-escalation Strategies for When Students Push Your Buttons.
Executive Functioning Skills - What is Developmentally Appropriate?
Executive functioning describes the skills we use every day to plan, prioritize, react appropriately and handle our emotions. These skills are developing all the way into our 20s! This means many of our students need developmentally appropriate support. These skills can be broken down into three categories: working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control. This article discusses executive functioning strategies to reach our students where their brains currently are, with strategies and skills to work on for both elementary-aged students and secondary-aged students. Remember that many of these skills are still developing, so even seniors in high school need support mastering these skills!
8 Ways to Bolster Executive Function in Teens and Tweens
This article discusses 8 evidence-based strategies for supporting the executive functioning development of our older students' brains. Read the linked article for more details on each of the following strategies.
Talking ourselves into tasks allows students to step outside themselves and broaden their perspectives. Students can recognize stressors and silently speak words of encouragement to themselves before engaging in a task.
Use short writing prompts aimed at building social and emotional resilience.
Empower students to look to their peers for advice and strategies.
Ask students to connect the purpose of learning to themselves. This creates autonomy and engagement. Teachers can also ask about their interests and use it to reframe assignments.
Create activities that connects learning to their own lives.
Include rigorous project-based learning.
Help students plan and develop routines, including providing scaffolding for schedules, deadlines, and study habits.
Introduce your tech tools and teach how to use them.
Community Circles - Build Your Class Community!
