Lesson Plan
Stay Calm, Teach On
Teachers will identify and apply at least three de-escalation strategies to manage challenging student behaviors and maintain a positive classroom atmosphere.
Effective de-escalation is crucial for creating a safe and focused learning environment, reducing disruptions, and fostering positive teacher-student relationships. It empowers teachers to handle challenging situations with confidence and skill.
Audience
Classroom Teachers
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive learning and scenario practice.
Materials
Google Slides presentation: Stay Calm, Teach On Slide Deck, Handout: De-escalation Strategies Quick Guide, and Activity cards: Scenario Cards
Prep
Preparation Steps
15 minutes
- Review the Stay Calm, Teach On Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the content.
- Print copies of the De-escalation Strategies Quick Guide for each teacher.
- Print and cut out the Scenario Cards.
- Arrange the room for small group discussions if possible.
- Ensure projector/screen is set up for the slide deck.
Step 1
Introduction & Hook: Why De-escalation Matters
5 minutes
- Greet teachers and introduce the lesson topic: de-escalation strategies.
- Ask teachers to briefly share a time they wished they had a specific de-escalation tool. (Think-Pair-Share or quick verbal share).
- Present the objective of the session.
Step 2
Understanding De-escalation: Key Principles
7 minutes
- Use the Stay Calm, Teach On Slide Deck to review key principles of de-escalation (e.g., staying calm, active listening, non-verbal cues).
- Facilitate a brief discussion on how these principles apply in a classroom setting.
Step 3
Practical Strategies & Tools
8 minutes
- Introduce specific de-escalation strategies using the Stay Calm, Teach On Slide Deck and distribute the De-escalation Strategies Quick Guide.
- Discuss strategies such as 'Calm Voice & Body Language,' 'Offer Choices,' and 'Proximity Control.'
- Allow time for questions and clarifications.
Step 4
Scenario Practice: Putting It to Use
7 minutes
- Divide teachers into small groups.
- Distribute Scenario Cards to each group.
- Instruct groups to discuss how they would apply the strategies learned to their assigned scenario.
- Briefly bring groups back together for one or two quick shares.
Step 5
Wrap-Up & Next Steps
3 minutes
- Reiterate the importance of de-escalation.
- Encourage teachers to keep the De-escalation Strategies Quick Guide handy.
- Ask teachers to commit to trying one new strategy this week.
- Thank them for their participation.
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Slide Deck
Stay Calm, Teach On
De-escalation Strategies for the Classroom
Creating a Calm & Productive Learning Space
Objective: Identify and apply practical de-escalation strategies to manage challenging student behaviors effectively.
Welcome everyone! Today, we're diving into an incredibly important topic: de-escalation strategies. We all face moments when student behavior starts to escalate, and knowing how to respond calmly and effectively can make all the difference. Let's start by briefly sharing a time you wished you had a specific de-escalation tool. (Give 1-2 minutes for quick shares or a think-pair-share). Our objective today is to equip you with practical strategies to manage challenging behaviors and maintain a positive classroom atmosphere. Ready?
Understanding De-escalation
Key Principles
- Stay Calm: Regulate your own emotions first.
- Active Listening: Hear and acknowledge the student's feelings.
- Non-Verbal Cues: Be mindful of your body language, tone, and facial expressions.
- Empathy: Try to understand the student's perspective.
- Respect: Always maintain respect for the student, even when disagreeing with behavior.
Before we jump into specific techniques, let's talk about the foundational principles. What does it mean to 'stay calm' when a student is escalating? It means managing your own emotions first. Take a deep breath. Model the calm you want to see. Active listening is key – not just hearing words, but understanding the underlying feelings and needs. Non-verbal cues – your body language, facial expressions, tone of voice – speak volumes. Are you approachable or confrontational? How do these principles apply in your classroom?
Practical Strategies & Tools
Strategies to Try
- Calm Voice & Body Language: Model the calm you want to see.
- Offer Choices: Provide limited, acceptable choices to give students control.
- Proximity Control: Use your physical presence to redirect behavior.
- Redirection: Shift focus to a different task or topic.
- Breaks/Cool-Downs: Suggest a short break in a designated safe space.
Now, let's get into some actionable strategies. First, a 'Calm Voice & Body Language' can instantly reduce tension. Speak slowly, softly, and keep your body open and relaxed. 'Offer Choices' gives students a sense of control and autonomy, often diffusing power struggles. For example, 'Would you like to work on this at your desk or in the quiet corner?' And 'Proximity Control' – simply moving closer to a student can be a powerful, non-verbal way to signal your awareness and support, often without saying a word. What other strategies have you found effective?
Scenario Practice
Let's Apply What We've Learned!
- Form small groups.
- Discuss your assigned scenario card.
- How would you use de-escalation strategies?
- Be ready to share!
It's time to put these into practice. We're going to break into small groups, and each group will get a scenario card. Your task is to discuss how you would apply the de-escalation strategies we just reviewed to your assigned situation. Think about what you would say, what you would do, and what principles you'd keep in mind. We'll take about 5 minutes for discussion, and then we'll share some of our ideas.
Wrap-Up & Next Steps
Keep Practicing!
- Review your De-escalation Strategies Quick Guide.
- Commit to trying one new strategy this week.
- You've got this!
Fantastic discussions, everyone! Remember, de-escalation is a skill that improves with practice. Keep your De-escalation Strategies Quick Guide handy as a reference. I encourage each of you to commit to trying at least one new strategy from today's session in your classroom this week. Thank you for your active participation and commitment to creating positive learning environments!
Reading
De-escalation Strategies Quick Guide
Core Principles
- Stay Calm: Take a breath. Regulate your own emotions. Your calm can be contagious.
- Active Listening: Listen to understand, not just to respond. Acknowledge feelings without necessarily agreeing with the behavior.
- Non-Verbal Cues: Be aware of your body language (open, relaxed), tone of voice (soft, even), and facial expressions (neutral, empathetic).
- Empathy: Try to see the situation from the student's perspective.
- Respect: Always treat the student with respect, even when addressing challenging behavior.
Practical Strategies
1. Calm Voice & Body Language
- How: Speak slowly, softly, and clearly. Keep your hands visible and your posture relaxed. Avoid pointing or aggressive stances.
- Why: A calm demeanor can help reduce the student's arousal and prevent further escalation.
2. Offer Limited Choices
- How: Provide two acceptable options for the student, giving them a sense of control. For example, "Would you like to finish your work at your desk or in the quiet corner?" or "Do you want to take a 2-minute break now or in 5 minutes?"
- Why: Offering choices empowers the student and reduces power struggles.
3. Proximity Control
- How: Casually move closer to the student without invading their personal space. Your presence alone can be a calming and signaling factor.
- Why: Non-verbal communication can often be more effective than verbal commands, especially during escalation.
4. Redirection
- How: Gently shift the student's focus to a different, non-confrontational task or topic. "Let's put that aside for a moment and look at this interesting picture."
- Why: Diverting attention can break the cycle of escalating behavior.
5. Provide a Cool-Down Space/Break
- How: Suggest or guide the student to a designated, safe, and quiet area where they can regain composure. "It looks like you need a few minutes to yourself. You can go to the cool-down corner and join us when you're ready."
- Why: A temporary change of environment can help a student self-regulate and prevent further disruption.
Activity
Scenario Cards
Instructions: In your groups, read each scenario and discuss how you would use the de-escalation strategies we just learned to respond effectively. Consider what you would say, what you would do, and which principles you would prioritize.
Scenario 1: Frustrated Focus
A 4th-grade student, usually very compliant, starts to loudly sigh and push their math worksheet away. When you approach, they cross their arms and say, "This is stupid! I'm not doing it!"
Scenario 2: Hallway Hazard
Two 7th-grade students are arguing loudly in the hallway between classes, attracting attention. One student is getting visibly red in the face and clenching their fists, yelling, "You always do this!"
Scenario 3: Classroom Conflict
During independent reading time, a 2nd-grade student suddenly throws their book across the room and starts to cry loudly, attracting the attention of other students. When you ask what's wrong, they just shake their head and refuse to talk.
Scenario 4: Tech Troubles
A high school student is working on a computer project, but the software crashes repeatedly. They start banging on the keyboard and muttering angrily under their breath, attracting concerned looks from nearby classmates.