Color. Carpets. Configurations. The classroom can create a sense of safety, calm, and invitation to learn if designed correctly. Authors and educators Nancy Frey, Douglas Fisher, and Dominique Smith describe their journey to making their school's classrooms trauma-informed and safe, inviting spaces for students.

Nancy Frey

Douglas Fisher

Dominique Smith

Disabled pupil smiling at camera in classroom at the elementary school; Shutterstock ID 417926383

shutterstock_417926383

Trauma-Informed Design in the Classroom (thumbnail)

Whole Child

Supported

School climate and culture

Safe

Healthy

Trauma-Informed Design in the Classroom

Classroom Management

School Culture

Online and remote learning

A Positive Classroom Climate, Even from a Distance

Charts that keep (public) track of whether a student's behavior is in some equivalent of a red (problem), yellow, or green ("well-behaved") zone are ubiquitous in elementary schools. This strategy based on shaming students is due to be retired because (1) it promotes only compliance, not social-emotional learning; (2) charts don't teach self-regulation; and (3) shaming harms students. The authors suggest alternative, relationship-based strategies for dealing with behavior that thwarts learning.

Lee Ann Jung

student behavior and discipline

Classroom management

Tear Down Your Behavior Chart!

Part of a theme issue on "Fighting Educator Burnout."

Teacher engagement and motivation

Create Meaningful Connections

Quick Reference Guides

Print Books

Better Behavior Practices (Print Book)

Better Behavior Practices

Better Behavior Practices (Quick Reference Guide)

Soft Cover

All Learning Is Social and Emotional: Helping Students Develop Essential Skills for the Classroom and Beyond (Print Book)

All Learning Is Social and Emotional: Helping Students Develop Essential Skills for the Classroom and Beyond

Integrating SEL into Everyday Instruction (Print Book)

Integrating SEL into Everyday Instruction

Integrating SEL into Everyday Instruction (Quick Reference Guide)

Managing Your Classroom with Restorative Practices (Print Book)

 qrgcover Managing Classroom Restorative Practices Smith Fisher Frey

Managing Your Classroom with Restorative Practices

Managing Your Classroom with Restorative Practices (Quick Reference Guide)

Ian Pumpian

Building Equity: Policies and Practices to Empower All Learners (Print Book)

Building Equity: Policies and Practices to Empower All Learners

Better Than Carrots or Sticks: Restorative Practices for Positive Classroom Management (Print Book)

Better Than Carrots or Sticks: Restorative Practices for Positive Classroom Management

Dominique Smith

About

Expertise

Articles by Dominique

Trauma-Informed Design in the Classroom

A Positive Classroom Climate, Even from a Distance

Tear Down Your Behavior Chart!

Create Meaningful Connections

Videos by Dominique

Building Capacity for SEL Integration

Books by Dominique

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