To support us to build a schoolwide learning and wellbeing focused environment we have partnered with Berry Street to train our staff to implement the Berry Street Education Model. This evidence-based framework is a whole school approach to creating a safe and positive learning environment so that all students can learn in a calm and orderly classroom. Introducing and modelling routines is the first essential step in positive classroom management. Clear expectations support students’ self-regulation and reduce the decision fatigue and distractions that can occur without consistent, predictable routines. All teachers have taken the time to start the year by explicitly developing Class Entry Routines, End of Day Routines and Line-Up Routines to help create safe, calm and organised classrooms that are optimal for the learning of all students.
Berry Street acknowledges that everybody benefits from environments that nurture students’ abilities to self-regulate. Self-regulation as a life skill helps students to navigate everyday difficulties and more challenging life experiences, both within the classroom and beyond. To support our students with this, all classrooms are implementing the following:
MORNING WELCOME CIRCLE:
Circle routines are nurturing classroom practices that support student engagement, build wellbeing and create positive classroom communities. Circle routines primes students for open, flexible and engaged thinking, whilst creating a sense of safety, and belonging.
READY TO LEARN SCALES
A Ready to Larn Scale is a simple classroom tool and strategy that can greatly assist students to communicate how they are felling and can provide invaluable information to the classroom teacher to provide additional support and/or time for the student.
READY TO LEARN PLANS
A Ready to Learn Plan is a pre-arranged agreement between the student and classroom teacher to provide the student with tools, and strategies to support their learning, engagement and safety in class. It supports the students to become centered, present and ready to learn.