Reaching and Teaching Stressed and Anxious Learners in Grades 4-8 : Strategies for Relieving Distress and Trauma in Schools and Classrooms

by Barbara E. Oehlberg

• ISBN13: 9781412917247
• ISBN10: 1412917247
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-01-06
• Publisher: Corwin Pr

Summary

Trauma and stress can interfere with students' cognitive skills. Dicover how classroom activities can be used to restore feelings of safety, empowerment, and well-being.

Table of Contents

Foreword	ix
Susan G. Clark
Preface	xiii
Publisher's Acknowledgments	xvi
About the Author	xvii
Introduction: Children Haven't Changed; Childhood Has	1	(4)
Glossary: The Vocabulary of Anxiety, Stress, and Trauma	5	(4)
Part I: Brain Changes and How They Affect Student Behaviors and Learning	9	(14)
The Impact of Losses and Stress on the Student's Mind and Body	11	(6)
Losses	11	(2)
Stress	13	(1)
When Traumatic Memories Are Triggered	13	(1)
Cognitive Lockout	14	(2)
Interventions Are Possible	16	(1)
Regaining Cognitive Access: The Process of Transforming Stress and the Sense of Helplessness	17	(6)
Transforming Perceptions of Helplessness	17	(2)
Strengthening Self-Regulation	19	(4)
Part II: Activities for Transforming the Helplessness Generated by Stress and Fear	23	(52)
Language Arts: Creative Writing and Journaling	25	(10)
Topics for Creative Writing and Journaling	26	(5)
Issues of Loss and Being Lost or Invisible	26	(1)
Issues of Rejection or Being Excluded	27	(1)
Issues of Brokenness, Helplessness, or Futurelessness	27	(1)
Issues of Betrayal or Broken Promises	28	(1)
Issues of Emotional Intelligence (Dealing With Feelings)	28	(1)
Issues of Hope, Empowerment, and Healing	29	(1)
Debating Points and Issues	30	(1)
Prose and Poetry	30	(1)
Integrating Art and Creative Writing Into Core Curriculum Areas: Combining Art and Literary Themes That Can Be Applied to Core Curriculum Subjects	31	(2)
Ad Campaigns	32	(1)
Comic Books	32	(1)
Mandalas	33	(2)
Social Studies and History: Creative Topics	35	(8)
Historical Cartoons and Storyboards	36	(1)
Fictional Comic Books About Historical Characters	37	(1)
Artistic Media Projects for History or Social Studies	38	(5)
Creating Scripts for Hypothetical Radio Interviews	38	(2)
Writing Radio Scripts for ``What if . . .'' Programs	40	(1)
Creating Public Service Announcements	40	(3)
Character Education	43	(12)
Internal Strengths: Emotional Intelligence	44	(6)
A Classroom Directory of Feelings and Emotions	45	(1)
A Feelings Mural: Addressing All Feelings	45	(2)
A Box of Respect: Addressing Self-Acceptance, Self-Respect, and the Ability to Respect and Empathize With Others	47	(1)
The Iceberg Project: Addressing Issues of Respect, Empathy, and Trust	47	(1)
Letters to Hurts: Addressing Empathy, Compassion, Courage, Anger Issues, Foregiveness, and Generosity	48	(1)
Drawing a Dream: Addressing Issues of Anger, Work Ethic, Forgiveness, and Hopelessness	48	(1)
Facing Fears: Addressing Fears, Courage, Anger, and the Ability to Overcome	49	(1)
Playground Charters: Addressing Issues of Leadership, Integrity, Conflict, Hopefulness, and Justice	49	(1)
Where Are the Heroes?	50	(2)
Issues of Emotional Honesty, Leadership, Risky Behaviors, and Choices	50	(1)
Honoring Strengths With a Character Wall	50	(1)
The Character Board Game	51	(1)
Physical Strengths	52	(3)
Internal Capacities for Self-Regulation and Stress Management	52	(1)
Leading a Relaxation Exercise	53	(2)
Building Resiliency Through Afterschool, Summer Camp, and Recreational Programming	55	(20)
Afterschool Programs	55	(1)
Specific Activities for Afterschool Programs	56	(11)
Logos	56	(1)
Collaborations for Creative Projects With Younger Children: Plays, Puppets, and Masks	57	(2)
Designing Board Games	59	(1)
Physical and Mental Exercises	60	(3)
Sand Trays	63	(1)
Clubs for a Sense of Belonging and Identity	64	(3)
Crossword Puzzles	67	(1)
Theater and Arts Groups or Camps	67	(4)
Drama Scripts for Stage or Radio: Building a World Fit for Children	67	(1)
Comedy Scripts	68	(1)
Movement and Dance	68	(1)
The Power of the Beat: The Rhythm of Healing	69	(2)
Media Production	71	(1)
Summer Camps or Activity Programs	71	(2)
Boys and Girls Clubs, Scouting, and 4-H	73	(2)
Part III: Schools That Work: A Sense of Safety for All	75	(32)
Sustaining Enhanced Learning Environments	77	(8)
Opportunities for Classroom Change	78	(1)
Avoiding the Stress of Threats	78	(1)
Alternative Responses	78	(1)
Classroom Guidelines	79	(6)
Restorative Discipline	80	(1)
``Discipline That Restores''	80	(1)
Stress Reduction Strategies for the Classroom	81	(4)
School Safety Issues: Violence Prevention	85	(18)
Generating a United Effort: Leadership and Staff Development	85	(3)
Specific Strategies for Overall Security and Sense of Safety Throughout the School Building	88	(1)
Strategies Specifically for Middle Schools	89	(1)
Supports for Reentering Students	89	(1)
Supports for New or Transferring Students	90	(1)
Suspension and Expulsion Policies	91	(1)
Crisis Preparation	92	(1)
Conflict and Anger Management	93	(1)
Violence Prevention Strategies	94	(9)
Early Prevention	94	(1)
Bullying	95	(4)
Inclusion	99	(1)
Restorative Justice	100	(3)
Meaningful Change in the U.S. Education System	103	(4)
Initiating Change From the Ground Up	104	(1)
Generating Support	104	(3)
Resource A: Crossword Puzzles	107	(34)
Resource B: Answers to the Crossword Puzzles	141	(18)
References	159	(2)
Index	161