Classroom Safety Environmental Checklist

Instructions: Reflect on your current classroom environment. For each item, check "Yes" if it is consistently present, "No" if it is not, and "N/A" if it doesn't apply to your setting. Use the "Notes/Action Ideas" column to jot down thoughts, ideas for improvement, or specific examples.

Section 1: Physical Safety

Section 2: Psychological Safety (Predictability, Support, & Calm)

Reflect and Plan:

1. Identify 1-2 areas from the checklist where your classroom excels.
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Identify 1-2 areas from the checklist where you see the greatest opportunity for improvement. Which changes could have the most significant impact on student safety and well-being?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. What is one concrete action step you will take in the next week to address an area for improvement? Be specific!
   
   
   
   
   
   

De-escalation Strategy Flowchart: Guiding a Student Back to Calm

This flowchart provides a step-by-step guide for teachers to effectively de-escalate situations with students who are becoming agitated or dysregulated. Remember to prioritize safety and maintain a calm, supportive presence.

START: Student is Showing Signs of Escalation

(e.g., increased fidgeting, raised voice, refusal, withdrawn, tense body language)

Step 1: Observe & Assess (Immediate)

• What are the student's behaviors? (e.g., verbal, physical, withdrawn)
• What might be the trigger? (e.g., perceived injustice, task demand, sensory overload, peer conflict)
• Is anyone in immediate danger?
  • IF YES: Ensure safety of all, call for immediate support if needed (e.g., administration).
  • IF NO: Proceed to Step 2.

Step 2: Create Space & Offer Support (Proactive & Supportive)

• Reduce Demands: Temporarily lessen academic or behavioral expectations if appropriate.
• Offer a Break: Suggest a brief calm-down period in a designated safe space or quiet area.
• Check-in: Approach calmly, maintain respectful distance, use a soft voice.

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Redesign Your Space Challenge: Creating Your Safe Harbor Classroom

Project Goal:

To apply the principles of physical and psychological safety, predictability, student voice, and de-escalation to redesign a specific area or the entirety of your classroom environment, fostering a true "safe harbor" for all students.

Project Objective:

Participants will design a plan to modify their classroom space to enhance physical and psychological safety, increase predictability, and incorporate student voice and choice, considering the needs of students impacted by trauma.

Deliverables:

1. Current Space Analysis (Written Reflection - 150-200 words)

• Description: Briefly describe a specific area of your current classroom (e.g., a reading nook, a group work station, your entry area) or your classroom as a whole. What are its current strengths and weaknesses regarding physical and psychological safety?
• Guiding Questions:
  • How does this space currently promote or hinder a sense of safety and predictability?
  • Are there elements that might be overstimulating or anxiety-provoking for some students?
  • What opportunities exist for student voice or choice within this space?
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

2. Redesign Plan (Visual & Written)

• Visual Representation: Create a visual representation of your redesigned space. This can be:
  • A hand-drawn sketch or blueprint (labeled clearly)
  • A digital drawing (e.g., using Google Slides, Canva, or a simple online room planner)
  • A collage of images (digital or physical) illustrating your ideas
• Written Justification (200-300 words): For each key change in your redesign, explain why you chose it and how it addresses the principles discussed in the session (physical safety, psychological safety, predictability, student voice/choice, trauma-informed practices).
• Include:
  • Specific furniture arrangements
  • Use of color, lighting, or sensory elements
  • Designated areas (e.g., calm-down spot, collaborative space)
  • Ways to display schedules, expectations, or student work
  • Ideas for incorporating student input into the new design or ongoing use of the space.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

3. Implementation Action Steps (Bulleted List)

• Description: Outline 3-5 concrete, actionable steps you will take to implement your redesign plan. Include a realistic timeline for each step.
• Consider: What resources will you need? Who might you collaborate with? What is the first step you can take immediately?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Assessment Criteria:

• Clarity of Analysis: Does the current space analysis clearly identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities?
• Alignment with Principles: Does the redesign plan clearly demonstrate an understanding and application of physical safety, psychological safety, predictability, and student voice/choice?
• Feasibility & Creativity: Is the redesign plan practical and creative for your specific context?
• Actionability: Are the implementation steps clear, concrete, and realistic?

Submission:

Submit your Current Space Analysis, Redesign Plan (visual + written justification), and Implementation Action Steps by [Date]. We will share and discuss these in our next session!