A weekly half hour chat focused on improving access to education for PK-12 students through the use of Accessible Educational Materials (AEM), Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and Assistive Technology (AT).
#PatinsIcam A1: A place to de-escalate, regroup, and prepare to re-enter the group space. Important for all students since everyone gets out of sorts at times. .#patinticam
Hi! I am so happy to be here tonight to chat about alternate settings, safe places and how to keep education a float for students in crisis! Such an important topic! Rachel Herron here! I am a PATINS specialist in the areas of AEM, AT and ED! #PatinsIcam
A1 Each student needs to have their own "safe" place. For some of my alternative students, I was their safe place. It is important to acknowledge that all students need one! #PatinsIcam
A1: This is somewhat of an unfamiliar topic for me, but I used to have a room in my classroom that was a place to refocus without having to leave the room. #PatinsIcam
Q3: Providing continuous education through multiple means of expression and reception is a challenge and a necessity for a S who in a safe place. What strategies or techniques have been successful for you? #PatinsIcam
A2: Students can be open to learning as a method of escape, but that is what it is and most methods of escape will not include being ready to learn. :-) #PatinsIcam
A3: we created kits for classrooms, in a pencil box, with materials for self-regulation for the child to use. It was great because it could be used anywhere, modified for age, usually used pre-crisis, but down on the office trips dramatically, kept them in class #PatinsIcam
A3: I had a box of pictures and words cut from magazines, and glue and cardstock. And buttons and sequins, etc. Building a collage is a calming activity that requires introspection, or not. #patinsicam
A1: Safe places can be tents, special areas, cubbies...anywhere a S feels safe and comfortable to go when a crisis arises. ALL Ss deserve to have a place to go, to decelerate, to regain composure if needed and we need to find ways to support it! #PatinsIcam
Q4: If a student is removed from classroom for his or her safety or the safety of others, what are some hurdles that are faced when trying to return to class? #PatinsIcam
A3: I think it's important for a S to be able to consider their entire classroom a safe, comfortable and welcoming space, but if they need to leave that space, important for them to be able to return easily! #PatinsIcam
Hi all at #PatinsIcam. A1: Ss in crisis need the core of the current behavior to be given all of the attn too. Academics later and often a new face to intervene to help with de escalate
A4: If I was removed or left a classroom, I would be embarrassed and would automatically believe that others were talking (negatively) about me. It would make my chance of returning (or returning well) less likely! #PatinsIcam
A4: transition back can be difficult, the student who was in crisis may worry about what others think, the other students may be worried about the student. #PatinsIcam
Absolutely...but calming down and becoming open to instruction is part of the process. When they are ready to "receive" they should be given the opportunity...so it needs to be continually going on! #PatinsIcam
A4 Crisis & Conflict are different. Many students in poverty are in continual conflict, but can still be engaged to learn in a safe and welcoming classroom. What many Ts would define as crisis may only be conflict for them. #PatinsIcam
A4 Crisis & Conflict are different. Many students in poverty are in continual conflict, but can still be engaged to learn in a safe and welcoming classroom. What many Ts would define as crisis may only be conflict for them. #PatinsIcam
A5: I think my middle and high schools didn't have as much opportunity for students to leave. For some schools there was a concern about safety, so they had to get creative for age appropriate spaces and staffing. #PatinsIcam
This causes students to have to "face the music" without consideration if they even CAN at that point! Figuring out alternate places based on a kids needs is even more important as they grow! #PatinsIcam
A6: I love the use of video streaming such as swivl cam, facetime, goto meeting, Skype...whatever would provide students a glimpse into the classroom. Knowing that “business is usual” would make it easier for me to return! #PatinsIcam
Yes...and the last stop before life unattended. It is so important to focus on coping skills and how we can help kids expand conflict resolution! #PatinsIcam
A7: If Ss are aware that they are missing class, thinking other Ss might be talking about them, etc., returning to class might be even harder! #PatinsIcam
A7: I always say that a kid who can HEAR (or see) what is going on in a setting will be more likely to return because he KNOWS that no one is talking about him (or her) and he isn't walking in not knowing more! #PatinsIcam
Q8: What are other benefits does this type of tech have for all students in the class? How might a Universally Designed (UDL) Classroom support these strategies? #PatinsIcam
A6: all of these technologies are a powerful tool for including students out of the room (for a variety of reasons) and happy to see districts developing plans to protect Ss and Ts rights AND leveraging these tool #PatinsIcam
A8: A Universally Designed classroom MIGHT just be so welcoming, comfortable, and safe through choice and flexibility, that Ss won't need to leave in order to refocus. #PatinsIcam
