Social and emotional learning is not often at the forefront of student learning. Students need to be able to regulate their emotions. Doing so will help them stay focused in the classroom, which will help their achievement.
My students often have trouble focusing and regulating their emotions. To combat this, I am creating a classroom that gives special consideration to students' sensory needs. Students need to be taught how to regulate their emotions and this helps them stay focused on the task at hand.
For starters, I will be creating a corner where students can go to calm down if they ever need to self regulate. This will include many tactile and sensory materials for students to use. When a student is feeling overwhelmed by their emotions, they can visit the calming corner for a short period of time and use the time to self regulate their emotions. Tactile materials are very calming and can help students self-regulate their emotions. Before allowing students to use the corner, they will be specifically taught how to utilize the corner. A mindfulness curriculum, MindUp 3-5, will also be taught to the students and many of these materials will be utilized rather than homemade calming tools as evidenced in the curriculum. Examples include the magic water marbles, feel and roll bumpy balls, tactile pillows, gel beads etc.
In addition, I want my students to be successful in the classroom with options to fulfill their needs. Research shows that when students have their sensory needs fulfilled, they will be able to focus more. This is where flexible seating options come into play. Students will have options, which will increase their focus and help them self-regulate. Before students are able to use flexible seating, they will be taught how to use it.
About my class
Social and emotional learning is not often at the forefront of student learning. Students need to be able to regulate their emotions. Doing so will help them stay focused in the classroom, which will help their achievement.
My students often have trouble focusing and regulating their emotions. To combat this, I am creating a classroom that gives special consideration to students' sensory needs. Students need to be taught how to regulate their emotions and this helps them stay focused on the task at hand.
For starters, I will be creating a corner where students can go to calm down if they ever need to self regulate. This will include many tactile and sensory materials for students to use. When a student is feeling overwhelmed by their emotions, they can visit the calming corner for a short period of time and use the time to self regulate their emotions. Tactile materials are very calming and can help students self-regulate their emotions. Before allowing students to use the corner, they will be specifically taught how to utilize the corner. A mindfulness curriculum, MindUp 3-5, will also be taught to the students and many of these materials will be utilized rather than homemade calming tools as evidenced in the curriculum. Examples include the magic water marbles, feel and roll bumpy balls, tactile pillows, gel beads etc.
In addition, I want my students to be successful in the classroom with options to fulfill their needs. Research shows that when students have their sensory needs fulfilled, they will be able to focus more. This is where flexible seating options come into play. Students will have options, which will increase their focus and help them self-regulate. Before students are able to use flexible seating, they will be taught how to use it.
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