Safe Zone

Establishing a caring and safe learning environment is paramount before any instruction can happen and it must be reinforced throughout the year.  A caring and safe environment means that all students' ability to learn should not be compromised by discrimination, harassment or a hostile environment based on identities that are protected under the law (religion, age, gender, appearance, perceived sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and ability).  When incidents where the physical, psychological, or emotional safety of the child are compromised it must be addressed immediately and reported through the right channels.

The first day of school is the optimal time to go over class routines and procedures (eg. Where hand-outs will be placed as they enter the classroom; that there is usually a warm up question to answer, etc.)  It is optimal for students to have a predictable classroom routine because some of them may not have steady home lives.  The classroom routine should be a stabilizing force that they can depend on.

Being mindful of all students' regular behavior and appearance and noticing any differences is key.  When I was student teaching we noticed a student was markedly loosing a great deal of weight in the course of just a few weeks.  The school psychologist was informed and the right course of action was taken to get the student the best possible help.  This information only arose by being mindful of all the students on a day-to-day basis.

As my unit plans will exhibit, utilizing the ELA classroom to discuss culturally salient topics about power and inequity will provide basis for us as a class to grapple with the same issues that lead to bullying or harassment.  Constantly connecting the curriculum to how students can better treat each other and manage positive and healthy social relationships is key to promoting a class culture that nurtures all. It will also provide ample rationale for respectful behavior that they will need as they navigate the world outside the classroom.