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Mrs. Smith’s Classroom Edit display name

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Most of my students have dealt with a lot trauma in their life. They have experienced anything from neglect and abuse to witnessing family members being shot or incarcerated. When trauma happens at a young age it overdevelops the lower part of the brain, however the upper part of the brain, or cortex, is where our students learn. The trauma creates a very dense lower part of the brain making a blockade to get to the cortex. Science tells us one of the ways to regulate the brain from dealing with trauma is to provide flexible seating and fidgets within a classroom. This project will allow students to meet a need they have emotionally and physically, so they can fully concentrate on their school work. The flexible seating options requested will help the students in different ways. Standing desks and desk cycles are giving students the option to move providing more blood flow in the brain, which in turn leads to better executive function in the brain. The use of fidgets is calming to the brain and is used as a regulatory strategy, and will help students cope with things occurring outside of school while providing the ability to focus on academics. The use of desk bands promotes a rhythmic action, much like rocking an upset baby to soothe, and this is also a regulatory strategy to promote the executive function in the brain. Our students are at least two grade levels behind already, so we are doing whatever it takes to try and remove as many obstacles as we can that is getting in their way of academic achievement. All of our students can be successful if we give them the tools.

About my class

Most of my students have dealt with a lot trauma in their life. They have experienced anything from neglect and abuse to witnessing family members being shot or incarcerated. When trauma happens at a young age it overdevelops the lower part of the brain, however the upper part of the brain, or cortex, is where our students learn. The trauma creates a very dense lower part of the brain making a blockade to get to the cortex. Science tells us one of the ways to regulate the brain from dealing with trauma is to provide flexible seating and fidgets within a classroom. This project will allow students to meet a need they have emotionally and physically, so they can fully concentrate on their school work. The flexible seating options requested will help the students in different ways. Standing desks and desk cycles are giving students the option to move providing more blood flow in the brain, which in turn leads to better executive function in the brain. The use of fidgets is calming to the brain and is used as a regulatory strategy, and will help students cope with things occurring outside of school while providing the ability to focus on academics. The use of desk bands promotes a rhythmic action, much like rocking an upset baby to soothe, and this is also a regulatory strategy to promote the executive function in the brain. Our students are at least two grade levels behind already, so we are doing whatever it takes to try and remove as many obstacles as we can that is getting in their way of academic achievement. All of our students can be successful if we give them the tools.

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About my class

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