Page 41 - How to teach reading with heart

it will be when over twenty students
return to a classroom with a new teacher

while experiencing this loss of identity.

Returning to the classroom could be
made easier if treated with an outpouring
of sensitivity. Hopefully schools will

put in place a few hours prior to school
opening that will allow students an

opportunity to become reacquainted
with the building, other students and
new teachers. Students need something

more than just meet the teacher night
to prepare for the 2020-2021 school

year. A benefit of allowing this type of
re-entering would be an opportunity
for parents and teachers to watch for

any cues in the environment that could
cause a stress reaction in students. This

will also reassure children they will be
physically safe and parents will know
they are emotionally secure.

A recommendation for each classroom

is to designate a safe area if a student
becomes overwhelmed. We have to
remember what adults have been

telling children for the past months in
order to keep them safe. Now adults

in their life are asking them to step
out into the world again. Think how
daunting that is for children.

Another issue arising from months

of isolation is the inability to focus on
learning in a classroom. Even the most
dedicated students should not be pushed

too quickly to perform as before. This is a
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