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What’s the Pulse?

Sajata Brown

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Climate Pulse Assessment

Staff will use guided prompts to reflect on positive and warning climate signals and co-create proactive classroom management strategies within a 25-minute session.

Regular pulse checks empower PK–12 staff to spot early climate indicators, address emerging concerns proactively, and reinforce positive interactions to foster a safe, supportive learning environment.

Audience

PK–12 Staff

Time

25 minutes

Approach

Guided reflection and collaborative discussion

Materials

School Climate Signals Slide Deck, and - Pulse Check Prompts Worksheet

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

  • Review the School Climate Signals Slide Deck
  • Print copies of the Pulse Check Prompts Worksheet for all participants
  • Ensure projector, screen, and a timer are set up

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

  • Welcome participants and share the session objective
  • Emphasize the importance of monitoring school climate for student success
  • Outline the session flow: signal review, individual reflection, group discussion, action planning

Step 2

Review Climate Signals

5 minutes

  • Display the School Climate Signals Slide Deck
  • Highlight examples of positive signals (e.g., engaged interactions) and warning signals (e.g., off-task behaviors)
  • Invite clarifying questions to ensure shared understanding

Step 3

Individual Reflection

5 minutes

  • Distribute the Pulse Check Prompts Worksheet
  • Ask staff to complete prompts silently based on recent classroom observations
  • Encourage strengths-based self-assessment of climate indicators

Step 4

Group Discussion

7 minutes

  • Form small groups of 3–4 participants
  • Each member shares one insight and one area needing attention
  • Record common themes and signal trends on chart paper or a digital board

Step 5

Action Planning & Conclusion

3 minutes

  • Each group proposes one proactive strategy to reinforce positive signals or address concerns
  • Summarize key themes and outline next steps
  • Encourage teams to schedule regular pulse checks to sustain a positive climate
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Slide Deck

School Climate Signals

Identifying key indicators—both positive and warning—that guide our proactive strategies for a supportive learning environment.

Welcome everyone. Introduce today’s focus on identifying and responding to signals in our school climate to support proactive classroom management.

Why Monitor School Climate?

• Early identification of student and classroom needs
• Reinforcement of positive interactions and behaviors
• Data-informed, proactive classroom management decisions
• Supports a safer, more supportive learning environment

Explain why we monitor climate: early identification of needs, reinforcing positives, and informing proactive strategies.

Positive Climate Signals

• Engaged student–staff interactions (e.g., questions, feedback)
• Collaborative peer discussions and teamwork
• On-task behavior and focused work
• Positive body language: smiles, raised hands, open posture

Highlight examples of positive signals. Encourage staff to recall times they observed these in their own rooms.

Warning Climate Signals

• Off-task behaviors (e.g., side conversations, daydreaming)
• Increased tension or conflicts among students
• Withdrawal or disengagement (e.g., slumped posture)
• Negative comments, sarcasm, or disruptive outbursts

Discuss warning signals—early signs that the climate may be shifting. Emphasize the importance of noticing these quickly.

Interpreting the Signals

• What patterns are you noticing in your classroom?
• Which positive signals can you amplify?
• Where are early warning signs emerging?
• How might these insights guide your next steps?

Prompt staff to interpret what they’ve seen. Use these guiding questions during reflection or discussion.

Next Steps: Active Supervision

• Scan: Regularly sweep the room to catch shifts early
• Cue: Use proximity and nonverbal signals to guide behavior
• Reinforce: Acknowledge and praise positive interactions
• Address: Intervene discreetly at the first sign of warning signals

Connect signals to active supervision strategies. Encourage staff to incorporate these steps into daily routines.

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Worksheet

Pulse Check Prompts Worksheet

Refer to the School Climate Signals Slide Deck for examples of positive and warning signals. Complete the prompts below based on your recent classroom observations.

  1. List three positive climate signals you observed. For each signal, describe:
    • The specific behavior or interaction.
    • Why it stood out to you.











  1. Identify two warning climate signals you noticed. For each, note:
    • When and where it occurred.
    • Potential factors or triggers.











  1. Reflect on the patterns you observed: Are these signals increasing, decreasing, or stable? What might explain this trend?






  1. Choose one positive signal from Question 1. Describe a proactive strategy you will use to reinforce it, including specific steps.






  1. Choose one warning signal from Question 2. Outline an action plan using active supervision (Scan, Cue, Reinforce, Address) to address it.






  1. How will you monitor and measure the impact of your strategies over the next week? Describe your observation and feedback process.






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