NEW QUICK-GUIDE SERIES
Quick Guides for Building Trauma-Sensitive Schools
Practical, friendly, and immediately useful, this upcoming series of laminated quick guides addresses specific topics related to the essentials of building trauma-sensitive schools—safety, connection, regulation, and learning. Jen Alexander has collaborated with experts around the globe to bring educators timely information they can apply right away in their classroom and school. The guides in this series include:
- Helpful tips and strategies that get everyone in the learning environment ready for teaching and learning
- Creative activities to use with students
- Reflection exercises that help educators examine their current practice
- Downloadable lesson plans, worksheets, and checklists that educators can use to take action
Guide topics include:
- Creating a regulating physical classroom environment
- Supporting working memory skills
- Trauma-sensitive movements for the classroom
NOW AVAILABLE!
Creating a Regulating Classroom Environment
A Guide for Trauma-Sensitive Educators
By Jen Alexander & Anna Paravano
The first guide in the series is available now! Authors Jen Alexander and Anna Paravano, experienced educators and experts on trauma-sensitive schools, show you how to develop a physical classroom environment that strengthens felt safety and security for everyone, decreases behavior problems, diminishes the load on the body’s stress response systems, and focuses attention—improving readiness for teaching and learning.
Supporting Students’ Executive Function kills in the Trauma-Seneitive Classroom
Focusing in on Working Memory
By Jen Alexander, M.A., NCC, SB-RPT, and Jennifer Dickey, M.A.
Students who experience trauma may have ongoing difficulties with executive function skills—including working memory, a skill that’s foundational to attention, focus, and school success. This is your concise, practical introduction to supporting students who struggle with working memory. Jen Alexander and Jennifer Dickey give you the insight you need to understand your students’ needs, plus practical guidance, real-world ideas, and 10 interactive downloads you can use to support working memory and set every learner up for success.
Trauma-Sensitive Movements for the Classroom
The take Five Approach to Helping Students Get Regulated
By Jen Alexander, M.A., NCC, SB-RPT, & Traci Ludwig, LISW, ACSW, RYT-200
All learners can benefit from trauma-sensitive movements: gentle movements that tap into the benefits of yoga but use a trauma-sensitive approach by emphasizing personal safety and choice. Jen Alexander and Traci Ludwig introduce this important topic and walk you through their unique “Take Five” approach to incorporating trauma-sensitive movements into any school day. A great way to improve your students’ regulation, boost connection, and help everyone get ready for teaching and learning.
Ms. Jen says…
As I partner with educators who are building trauma-sensitive schools, questions often come up related to specific topics. Things like:
“Too much classroom clutter can be overwhelming; what else should we keep in mind when setting up school spaces to prioritize safety and regulation?”
“How do we begin to support students’ executive function needs to promote learning?”
“Is yoga regulating, and should we use it in our trauma-sensitive spaces?”
Each of these guides is my way of answering these important questions! I co-created them with an expert in each topic area, so readers know they are getting trusted information written by educators for educators. Importantly, we structured each one so that you can learn a little and get started with practical suggestions right away. Everything you need is in a laminated 8-panel guide that is easy to store and grab when you’re ready to roll. Concise and compact, they aren’t another bulky thing to pile up in your room.
As always, my team is here to #NoticeTheNeed and #MeetTheNeed in collaboration with you–just like you’re doing with your students. We’re just getting started with these quick guides for building trauma-sensitive schools, so be on the lookout for new titles!
