Design a visual model representing a trauma-sensitive and resilience-enhancing school (or your organization). The model visually demonstrates a plan of action to help students feel safe, connected, self-regulate behavior and achieve academic success. To complete the assignment, do the following:
· Design a visual model that includes the following:
A title to identify as pre-school, elementary, middle school or high school or organization you serve.
Visual representation of both trauma sensitive and resilience enhancing components.
Identifies plan of action to help all students: 1)feel safe, 2) connected to school culture, 3) self-regulate behavior, and 4) achieve academic success.
Creative original design (not copied from a design already created) that is esthetically engaging.
Full Answer Section
The trunk of the tree represents the school community, which is essential for supporting all students. The roots of the tree represent the school's trauma-sensitive and resilience-enhancing practices.
Plan of Action
Safety
- Create a safe and supportive school environment by establishing clear expectations and rules, modeling respectful and supportive behavior, and providing positive reinforcement for good behavior.
- Implement trauma-informed practices, such as understanding the impact of trauma on students' behavior and learning, and providing students with opportunities to feel safe and supported.
- Provide students with access to mental health and trauma-specific services.
Connectedness
- Create a school culture where all students feel welcome, respected, and valued.
- Provide students with opportunities to connect with peers and adults through clubs, activities, and social-emotional learning programs.
- Encourage teachers to build relationships with their students and to create a classroom environment where students feel safe to share their thoughts and feelings.
Self-Regulation
- Teach students self-regulation skills, such as identifying and managing their emotions, coping with stress, and making responsible decisions.
- Provide students with opportunities to practice self-regulation skills in the classroom and in other school settings.
- Create a classroom environment that supports self-regulation, such as providing students with sensory-friendly tools and spaces.
Academic Success
- Provide students with a high-quality academic program that is aligned with their individual needs.
- Use differentiated instruction to meet the needs of all learners.
- Provide students with opportunities to learn in a variety of ways, such as through hands-on activities, group projects, and independent work.
- Create a classroom environment that is conducive to learning, such as providing students with clear instructions, adequate time to complete tasks, and opportunities for feedback and revision.
Conclusion
This visual model provides a framework for creating a trauma-sensitive and resilience-enhancing elementary school. By implementing the plan of action outlined above, schools can help all students to feel safe, connected, self-regulated, and academically successful.
Sample Answer
Visual Model of a Trauma-Sensitive and Resilience-Enhancing Elementary School
Title: Trauma-Sensitive and Resilience-Enhancing Elementary School
Visual Representation
The visual model is a tree with four branches, representing the four goals of the school:
- Safety
- Connectedness
- Self-Regulation
- Academic Success