Connections with a focus on Trauma-Informed Practice
by Cassandra Hill
1. How do we connect our learners within the school?
2. How do we connect our students to teachers, with one another, and within the classroom as a whole?
3. Classroom Specific
3.1. Iris
3.2. Voice and Choice
3.3. Peer Collaboration
3.4. Talking Circles
3.5. Classroom Meetings
3.6. Inquiry in learning
3.7. Peer and Self Assessments
3.8. Learner Interests
3.9. Learner Needs
3.10. School Support Counsellors (SSC)
4. School-Wide
4.1. Activity Nights
4.2. Buddies (Reading, Math, Social/Emotional)
4.3. Spirit Events (i.e. Movie Days, PJ Days, Cobra Cup, etc).
4.4. Assemblies
4.5. Celebration of Learning
4.6. Psychologists
4.7. Family Support Liaisons (FSL)
4.8. School Support Counsellors (SSC)
5. Teacher/Colleagues
5.1. Collaboration
5.2. Mentorship Programs
5.3. OneDrive
5.4. Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)
5.5. Social Events
5.6. Student Teachers
5.7. Team Preps
5.8. Transfer of Work
5.9. Year-End Meetings
6. Experiential Learning
7. Place-Based Learning
8. How do we connect our families/caregivers to one another and the community?
9. How do we connect our students/learners to the community?
10. How do we, as teachers/educators/colleagues, connect with one another?
11. Community Connections
11.1. Classroom Champions
11.2. MAAST
11.3. Boys and Girls Club
11.4. Family Night
11.5. Field Trips
11.6. The Learning Adventure (Entrepreneurial Programs)
11.7. Social Media (Twitter)
11.8. News and Current Events
12. Family/Caregiver Based
12.1. Family/Activity Night
12.2. Daily Communication
12.3. Family Support Liaison (FSL)
12.4. Celebration of Learnings
12.5. Feasts and Barbecues
13. What tools support student connections?
13.1. iPads
13.2. Laptops
13.3. Social Media (Twitter)
13.4. Web-based Interactive Tools (i.e. Skype)
13.5. Google Classeoom
13.6. Assistive Technologies
13.7. Positive Reinforcement Tools
13.8. Relationships
13.9. Extrinsic and Intrinsic Reward Systems/Program
13.10. Visuals
14. Place-Based Learning
15. Experiential Learning
16. Interdisciplinary Learning