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Trauma-Informed Teaching

Lesson Plan

Trauma-Informed Teaching

Teachers will identify and understand key principles of trauma-informed care and implement at least two practical strategies in their classrooms to support students who have experienced trauma.

Creating a trauma-informed classroom fosters a safe, supportive, and predictable environment, which is crucial for all students, especially those impacted by trauma. This approach can lead to improved student engagement, reduced behavioral issues, and enhanced academic performance.

Audience

Teachers

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, practical strategies, and reflective activity.

Materials

Smartboard or Projector, Trauma-Informed Classroom Slide Deck, Markers or Pens, Classroom Strategies Discussion Guide, and Building a Safe Space Activity

Prep

Review Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction: What is Trauma-Informed Care?

5 minutes

  • Use the Trauma-Informed Classroom Slide Deck to introduce the concept of trauma and trauma-informed care.
  • Ask teachers: "What comes to mind when you hear 'trauma-informed'?" (2 minutes)
  • Briefly explain the core principles: Safety, Trustworthiness, Peer Support, Collaboration, Empowerment, Cultural Sensitivity (3 minutes).

Step 2

Why it Matters: The Impact of Trauma on Learning

5 minutes

  • Use the Trauma-Informed Classroom Slide Deck to discuss how trauma can affect a student's brain, behavior, and ability to learn.
  • Share a brief, anonymous example or scenario (real or hypothetical) of how trauma might manifest in the classroom.
  • Facilitate a short discussion using the Classroom Strategies Discussion Guide question: "How have you seen trauma impact students in your classroom (without naming specific students)?" (3 minutes)

Step 3

Strategies for a Trauma-Informed Classroom

10 minutes

  • Use the Trauma-Informed Classroom Slide Deck to present 3-4 actionable strategies for a trauma-informed classroom (e.g., predictable routines, clear expectations, choice, calm-down corners, positive relationships).
  • For each strategy, briefly explain 'what it is' and 'why it helps'.
  • Engage teachers in a quick discussion using the Classroom Strategies Discussion Guide question: "Which strategies do you already use, and which are new to you?" (5 minutes)

Step 4

Building a Safe Space: Action Planning

10 minutes

  • Distribute the Building a Safe Space Activity handout.
  • Instruct teachers to complete Part 1 (Self-Reflection) and Part 2 (Action Planning) individually, choosing two strategies to focus on (7 minutes).
  • If time allows, facilitate a brief share-out where teachers can discuss one of their chosen strategies with a partner or the whole group (3 minutes).
  • Encourage teachers to take their action plan with them and implement it in their classrooms.
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Slide Deck

What is Trauma-Informed Teaching?

Creating a Healing Classroom

  • Why is this important? Building a safe and supportive space for all students.
  • What does it look like? Understanding and responding to the impact of trauma.
  • Your Role: Empowering resilience and fostering growth.

Welcome teachers and introduce the topic of trauma-informed care. Ask an open-ended question to gauge their initial understanding and spark curiosity.

Understanding Trauma & Its Impact

Trauma: More Than Just an Event

  • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): Abuse, neglect, household dysfunction.
  • Impact on the Brain: Stress response, difficulty with regulation, learning challenges.
  • Core Principles:
    • Safety (Physical & Emotional)
    • Trustworthiness & Transparency
    • Peer Support
    • Collaboration & Mutuality
    • Empowerment, Voice & Choice
    • Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues

Define trauma briefly and introduce the core principles of trauma-informed care. Emphasize that it's a shift in perspective from 'What's wrong with you?' to 'What happened to you?'.

Trauma in the Classroom: Recognizing the Signs

How Trauma Shows Up

  • Behavioral Challenges: Hyperactivity, withdrawal, aggression.
  • Academic Difficulties: Concentration issues, memory problems, learning gaps.
  • Social & Emotional Impact: Difficulty forming relationships, managing emotions.

Discussion Prompt: How have you observed the impact of stress or challenging home situations on your students? (Without naming specific students)

Discuss how trauma can manifest in the classroom (e.g., behavioral issues, difficulty concentrating, social challenges). Use the discussion guide here to prompt teacher sharing.

Building a Safe Space: Practical Strategies

Actionable Steps for Your Classroom

  1. Predictable Routines & Clear Expectations: Reduces anxiety, increases sense of control.
  2. Creating a "Calm-Down" Corner: A designated safe space for self-regulation.
  3. Fostering Positive Relationships: A trusting adult is a protective factor.
  4. Providing Choice & Voice: Empowers students and builds autonomy.
  5. Mindful Language: Empathy and understanding over judgment.

Activity: Let's think about how we can put these into practice!

Introduce practical strategies that teachers can implement immediately. Focus on strategies that create predictability, safety, and empower students. Encourage teachers to think about how they can integrate these into their existing routines.

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Discussion

Classroom Strategies Discussion Guide

Understanding the Impact

Think about your experiences in the classroom and reflect on the following questions. Remember to keep student identities confidential and focus on general observations.

  1. What comes to mind when you hear the term "trauma-informed classroom"? What do you hope to learn or implement?






  2. How have you observed stress or challenging home situations impacting students' behavior, learning, or social interactions in your classroom? (Share general observations, avoiding specific student names or details.)






  3. Consider the strategies we discussed (e.g., predictable routines, calm-down corners, positive relationships, choice & voice). Which of these strategies do you already use effectively? Which one are you most interested in trying or improving?






  4. What are some potential challenges you foresee in implementing trauma-informed strategies, and how might we overcome them as a school community?






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Activity

Building a Safe Space: My Classroom Action Plan

Objective: To apply trauma-informed strategies to your own classroom context and create a personalized action plan.

Part 1: Self-Reflection (5 minutes)

Review the trauma-informed strategies we discussed. In the space below, identify two strategies that you believe would have the most positive impact on your students and are feasible for you to implement or enhance in your classroom right now.

  1. Strategy 1:


    • Why did you choose this strategy?


  2. Strategy 2:


    • Why did you choose this strategy?


Part 2: Action Planning (10 minutes)

For each chosen strategy, outline specific steps you will take to implement or enhance it in your classroom. Be concrete and think about how and when you will put it into practice.

Strategy 1: Action Steps

  • What will I do?





  • When will I start?


  • What materials or resources might I need?


Strategy 2: Action Steps

  • What will I do?





  • When will I start?


  • What materials or resources might I need?


Part 3: Share & Discuss (Optional - 5 minutes)

If time allows, pair up with a colleague and share one of your chosen strategies and action steps. Offer supportive feedback and additional ideas to each other.

  • My Partner's Idea:


  • My Feedback/Ideas:


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