Help me give my students tools and resources to help them manage their emotions and behavior with increasing independence, especially during the most challenging part of their day....writing!
I teach in a specialized classroom with 12-15 1st-3rd graders who need a high level of support to experience success at school. My students have extreme social, emotional, behavioral and academic needs. Many of them are diagnosed with neurological issues (ADHD, Autism, Anxiety or Depression) and have experienced significant challenges at school and at home.
I provide a warm, structured environment to help these amazingly sensitive children realize their strengths and capabilities.
The ultimate goal is to teach students to self-regulate so that they can transition into general education classrooms.
My Project
Prior to engaging in academic tasks, we give our students opportunities to "get settled" and be ready to work. This involves a group "wake-up" activity and then a quieting, mindful exercise to help them feel calm and focused. For some of our students, having a more vigorous or individualized exercise opportunity is necessary. A trampoline provides this level of exertion and is contained in one space. The wobble cushions provide sensory input that allow some of our students to better focus during work-times.
Writing tends to be the most challenging part of the day for our kids and choosing hands-on, high interest materials provides a motivating invitation to participate.
I believe they learn so much through having a realistic academic expectation as they are often faced with frustrations when asked to complete tasks.
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