Lesson Plan
Caring Classroom Strategies
First-year teachers will learn proactive, trauma-informed strategies and communication tools to support students with mental health concerns and disabilities, fostering inclusive, positive classroom environments.
Early-career educators equipped with trauma-informed behavior strategies and communication best practices can better meet diverse student needs, reduce disruptions, and build a classroom culture of trust and inclusion.
Audience
First-Year Teachers
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive scenarios, guided discussion, and role-play.
Materials
- Behavior Strategies Toolkit, - Trauma-Informed Communication Tips, - Inclusive Classroom Scenarios Handout, - Whiteboard and Markers, and - Projector and Slides
Prep
Review and Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Review Behavior Strategies Toolkit and identify key interventions.
- Read through Trauma-Informed Communication Tips to familiarize with language strategies.
- Print copies of Inclusive Classroom Scenarios Handout.
- Set up projector and test slides for the session.
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
- Welcome participants and outline session objectives.
- Emphasize the impact of mental health and disabilities on student behavior.
- Share the goal: proactive, trauma-informed support for all learners.
Step 2
Trauma-Informed Foundations
7 minutes
- Present the core principles of trauma-informed practice via slides.
- Discuss how trauma and disability can manifest as challenging behaviors.
- Invite 1–2 examples from participants’ experiences.
Step 3
Behavior Strategy Exploration
8 minutes
- Distribute Behavior Strategies Toolkit.
- In pairs, review one strategy and match it to a common classroom behavior.
- Have each pair share one strategy and expected outcome.
Step 4
Communication Role-Play
7 minutes
- Provide scenario prompts from Trauma-Informed Communication Tips.
- In triads, role-play a teacher-student interaction using suggested phrasing.
- Debrief: What felt supportive? What could be improved?
Step 5
Application and Wrap-Up
3 minutes
- Hand out Inclusive Classroom Scenarios Handout.
- Ask each teacher to note one concrete change they will implement.
- Summarize key takeaways and point to further resources.
Slide Deck
Caring Classroom Strategies
• Proactive, trauma‐informed approaches
• Support for students with mental health concerns & disabilities
• Practical behavior strategies & communication tools
• 30‐minute Tier 1 session for first‐year teachers
Welcome the group, introduce yourself, and set a supportive tone. Briefly explain the purpose of today’s session and outline what participants will learn.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this session, you will be able to:
• Identify core principles of trauma‐informed practice
• Match evidence‐based behavior strategies to common classroom behaviors
• Use supportive language for challenging interactions
• Develop one concrete change to foster inclusion
Read each objective and stress how these skills translate into daily classroom routines.
Why It Matters
• 1 in 4 students experience a mental health challenge each year
• Trauma/disability often underlies disruptive behaviors
• Inclusive, supportive classrooms improve engagement & learning outcomes
Share a brief anecdote or statistic about the prevalence of trauma and disability among students. Invite participants to reflect for 30 seconds.
Trauma‐Informed Foundations
- Safety: Physical & emotional security
- Trustworthiness: Consistent & transparent practices
- Choice & Collaboration: Student voice in learning
- Empowerment: Strengths‐based interactions
Explain each principle in your own words and invite 1–2 participants to give examples of what they’ve seen in their classrooms.
Recognizing Behavioral Signals
• Withdrawal or avoidance of peers
• Frequent outbursts or aggression
• Difficulty following routines or instructions
• Overreacting to sensory inputs
Highlight that behaviors often communicate unmet needs. Ask: “What signs have you noticed that might signal trauma or disability?”
Behavior Strategy Exploration
• Distribute Behavior Strategies Toolkit
• In pairs, choose one strategy
• Match it to a real‐world classroom behavior
• Share expected outcomes with the group
Explain the pair activity, distribute the toolkit, and set a 5-minute timer. Circulate to support groups.
Trauma‐Informed Communication
• Use calm, neutral tone
• Acknowledge feelings (“I can see you’re upset.”)
• Offer choices (“Would you like to…?”)
• Keep instructions simple & clear
Introduce key communication tips, then transition into triads. Encourage active listening during role-plays.
Role‐Play Activity
Scenario Example:
A student with anxiety freezes during group work and becomes tearful when called on.
• Teacher uses supportive prompts
• Student regains confidence and participation
Provide a sample scenario on the board. Give each triad a different prompt to keep role-plays varied.
Application & Action Planning
• Review Inclusive Classroom Scenarios Handout
• Identify one concrete change you will implement:
– Strategy
– Communication technique
– Classroom routine
Ask participants to write on a sticky note or in their notebooks. Collect or have them share aloud.
Resources & Next Steps
• Behavior Strategies Toolkit (#behavior-strategies-toolkit)
• Trauma‐Informed Communication Tips (#trauma-informed-communication-tips)
• Inclusive Classroom Scenarios Handout (#inclusive-classroom-scenarios-handout)
Thank you for your commitment to inclusive teaching!
Summarize key takeaways. Encourage ongoing reflection and use of resources. Share contact info for follow‐up.
Worksheet
Behavior Strategies Toolkit
This toolkit provides a selection of evidence-based strategies to proactively support students with mental health concerns and disabilities. Review each strategy’s description and example implementation to consider how you might apply it in your classroom.
1. Clear and Consistent Routines
Description: Structured, predictable daily routines reduce anxiety and help students know what to expect.
Example Implementation:
- Post a visual schedule at the front of the room.
- Preview tomorrow’s activities during the last 5 minutes of class.
2. Positive Behavior Supports
Description: Acknowledging and reinforcing desired behaviors increases the likelihood those behaviors will recur.
Example Implementation:
- Implement a token economy where students earn tokens for following classroom expectations.
- Use specific praise (“I noticed you raised your hand patiently—great job!”).
3. Visual Supports & Schedules
Description: Visual cues (icons, charts, timers) help students understand transitions and expectations independently.
Example Implementation:
- Create a “first–then” board (e.g., work first, then choose a preferred activity).
- Use a countdown timer with colored segments to indicate time remaining.
4. Sensory Breaks & Movement Opportunities
Description: Scheduled movement or sensory activities help regulate students’ arousal levels and improve focus.
Example Implementation:
- Offer a designated “movement corner” with stress balls, fidget tools, or a mini-trampoline.
- Build in a 2-minute stretch or walk break every 20 minutes.
5. Check-In/Check-Out
Description: Brief, structured check-ins at the beginning and end of the day provide goal-setting and reflection, strengthening teacher–student connection.
Example Implementation:
- Meet with a student for 1–2 minutes in the morning to set a behavior goal.
- Follow up in the afternoon to discuss successes and plan for tomorrow.
6. Choice & Collaboration
Description: Providing meaningful choices and involving students in decision-making fosters engagement and a sense of control.
Example Implementation:
- Allow students to select between two assignment formats (e.g., write a paragraph or create a graphic organizer).
- Invite students to co-create classroom norms during the first week.
Use these strategies as a starting point. In your paired activity, select one strategy to match with a common challenging behavior and predict the expected outcome.
Worksheet
Trauma-Informed Communication Tips
Effective communication supports students by building trust and creating a safe space. Use the following phrasing and techniques during challenging moments.
1. Use a Calm, Neutral Tone
Why: A steady, gentle voice helps de-escalate strong emotions.
Example: “I can see you’re feeling upset right now.”
Practice: Write your own calming phrase below:
2. Acknowledge and Validate Feelings
Why: Letting students know their emotions are heard reduces frustration.
Example: “It sounds like this is really frustrating for you.”
Practice: Craft an empathetic response below:
3. Offer Simple, Clear Choices
Why: Providing a sense of control can lower anxiety.
Example: “Would you like to take a break now or after we finish this problem?”
Practice: Frame a choice you could offer in your classroom:
4. Use Reflective Listening
Why: Paraphrasing shows you understand the student’s perspective.
Example: “So you’re feeling overwhelmed by the noise in the room.”
Practice: Reflect on this statement: “I can’t focus on this assignment.” Your response:
5. Keep Instructions Concise
Why: Breaking tasks into small steps makes them more manageable.
Example: “First, underline the question. Then, write one sentence answer.”
Practice: Simplify this instruction below:
“Please review the text, analyze the themes, and then write a detailed essay.”
6. Maintain Privacy and Confidentiality
Why: One-on-one conversations feel safer for students to share concerns.
Practice: Describe how you’ll ensure privacy when speaking with a student:
Reflection Scenarios
Use the tips above to write your teacher response for each situation.
- A student slams their workbook and says, “I hate this!” How do you respond?
- During group work, a student with autism covers their ears and steps away. How do you respond?
- A student whispers they feel like they can’t catch up with the lesson. How do you respond?
Action Plan
Identify one communication technique you will implement this week and describe how:
Worksheet
Inclusive Classroom Scenarios Handout
Use these scenarios to apply the strategies from the Behavior Strategies Toolkit and the communication prompts from the Trauma-Informed Communication Tips. For each scenario:
- Select one behavior strategy and explain why it fits.
- Draft a supportive teacher response using trauma-informed language.
- Predict the likely student outcome.
Scenario 1: Fidgeting and Distracting Peers
A student with ADHD repeatedly taps their pencil and leans over to look at neighbors’ work, interrupting the class.
- Behavior Strategy and Rationale:
- Teacher Response (Use calm tone/choice offering):
- Predicted Outcome:
Scenario 2: Withdrawal During Group Work
A student with social anxiety sits silently in group discussions, avoids eye contact, and does not contribute.
- Behavior Strategy and Rationale:
- Teacher Response (Use validation/reflective listening):
- Predicted Outcome:
Scenario 3: Meltdown from Sensory Overload
A student covers their ears, shouts, and pushes materials off their desk when the classroom becomes too noisy.
- Behavior Strategy and Rationale:
- Teacher Response (Offer choices/sensory break):
- Predicted Outcome:
Scenario 4: Resistance to Routine Change
A student with autism becomes agitated and refuses to transition when a substitute teacher changes the daily schedule.
- Behavior Strategy and Rationale:
- Teacher Response (Use clear visuals/simple instructions):
- Predicted Outcome:
Action Planning
Choose one of the scenarios above. Describe the steps you will take this week to implement your selected behavior strategy and communication approach. Include any materials or supports you will prepare.