Everyday Hero Bulletin Board

Here are the images I discussed in my last blog post!  Let me know if you have any questions about how I plan to use this system to support my students!

 Here is where the students' pictures are stored.  The students will find their picture and place it somewhere in the pocket charts.  When they place their pictures in the pocket charts, I know they are present and I know they are feeling "okay" about the day!

Here is the headquarters!  I will add my picture and associates pictures around the image.  Students can choose to place their pictures in headquarters or it can be moved by a staff member.  When the student is in headquarters, we are making sure we are providing the students with the scaffolding need to have a successful day at school.  We are creating an environment where the students can feel safe!

Components of an EBD Program

What are the components to creating a classroom environment safe for students and staff when working with students with emotional and behavioral disorders?

I ask myself this question all the time!  Students with emotional and behavioral disorders bring something new to the table each day.  How does an educator overcome this challenge?

Simply, you don't.  As educators it is our job to adapt and be flexible.  Sometimes it is hard.  Sometimes it is easy.  We need to remember we are the consistent for many of our students.  We are the ones responsible for creating a safe learning environment!

In my last post, I introduce you to two websites aimed at changing our approach in working with students with EBD.  From the book Beyond Consequences, we are responsible for keeping our students safe.

What does keeping our students safe mean?  It means we are not angry with our students because of their behavior.  There is a reason the behavior is being exhibited.  Creating a safe environment means we are committing to working with the students through this challenging time.

As I was reading this book, a classroom example was given on managing the safety of students.  Each student started the day with their name on a kangaroo.  If the child began to exhibit behaviors, their kangaroo was moved to the momma's pouch--indicating the child was safe.

Kangaroos are not really fitting into my theme of Everyday Hero!  So, I created a bulletin board featuring our superheroes!  There are two sections to my bulletin board:  a town and a headquarters.  Each day, the superheroes (the kids), find their picture and place them in a town--indicating they are feeling okay.  If students are feeling unsafe or if they begin to feel unsafe, the students picture is moved to the headquarters!  Headquarters is where the teachers and staff are located and work to ensure the students are safe!  Look for a picture to be uploaded soon!!

I am very excited to see this management system being used this year! 

Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders (EBD) can be challenging!  Unfortunately, many of these students earn a bad reputation before they leave elementary school!  How does this happen?  Why does it continue to happen?

I believe it is in how we respond to these students!  All too often I hear educators indicate "it's choice" or "they are doing it for attention."  Really?  Billy, Sam, and Sarah woke up today thinking, "how can I make my teacher's life difficult today?"  News flash, they didn't!

More and more research is being shared about how we need to respond to students with EBD.  Traditionally, we respond by punishment, yelling, or administration of consequences.  Ask yourself this question:  has punishment, yelling, or consequences changed Billy's, Sam's, or Sarah's behavior?  My guess, your answer is no.

So what can we do?  This summer I had the opportunity to read two books explaining a new perspective on working with challenging kids.  First, Lost at school by Dr. Ross Greene, challenges educators to shift their thinking of challenging students.  Dr. Ross Greene's approach is built upon the belief "students do well if they can."  So if they can't, why not?  Dr. Ross Greene encourages educators to determine the missing skills and collaboratively work with the student to solve the problem!

The second book, Beyond Consequences, by Heather T. Forbes explains the role of trauma and stress in these students' lives.  We need to develop a classroom environment where students can feel safe and can have the support they need to work through things we cannot imagine! 

These are two philosophies I will be integrating and building upon in the upcoming school year.  I will keep you posted on the progress and learning I am sure to acquire as I change my view of students with EBD and the way I collaborate with each student! 

For more information on these two books and a link to my classroom website, please access the links below:

Miss Delaney's Classroom

Beyond Consequences

Lost at school