Cairee Johnson

The Sensory Room: Helping Students with Autism Focus & Learn

https://youtu.be/zULwQUQDMuM

This video was about how teachers had transformed a classroom into a sensory room that helps children with special needs relax and

calm down by doing activities that help them accomplish that. I fully agree with this philosophy because I, personally, have seen the

autisic and special needs children have specific needs like touching things, throwing things or banging their head on something, or any

behavior that might hurt the student. I love this idea that they are providing the security and safety for the student to be able to do those

things and not be in jeopardy of hurting themselves. I can also see how students who do not have disabilities would even love to go in to

this classroom. All children need to develop their sensory skills and this is a wonderful and safe way. When you are activating the sensory

part of the brain, it encourages creativity and overall helps the student to learn. How can we incorporate this sensory room philosophy into

all classrooms? Can we start collecting data on the students and their progress so prove that this philosophy is working so we can

incorporate it into mainstream classrooms? How can we afford the items that would be needed? Maybe fundraisers by the school?
Cairee Johnson

9 Brain Breaks for Elementary Students

https://youtu.be/rx1AtWIUvEw

This video was about 9 brain break examples of how to help students take a break and do something silly or creative so

that they can go back to refocusing on school work. I work at an elementary school now and every single teacher uses brain

breaks, especially the younger grades. This is a very valuable and useful tool for the teachers and I definitely agree with this

technique and activity.

Cairee Johnson

60 second strategy- ask 3 before me

https://www.edutopia.org/video/60-second-strategy-ask-3-me

This video was about how students can rely on each other as a resource to problem solving instead of always relying on the

teacher or not getting help at all. This is a great strategy for students to be able to learn to rely on each other and build

relationships and friendships. It also give the students who are helping the other students the confidence and self esteem

while giving the other students a sense of confidence also.

Cairee Johnson

Helping Kids Celebrate Diversity Through Authentic Portraits

https://www.edutopia.org/video/helping-kids-celebrate-diversity-through-authentic-portraits

This video was about how students can recognize and discuss the differences between people of different cultural

backgrounds. There are several strategies that can teach students of how to recognize and celebrate diversity in people.

There are activities that like drawing pictures to depict how your family or friends or loved ones look and to embrace that

diversity. Making children feel like they are normal and its ok is the goal. Helping children realize that everyone is difference

will make them more comfortable and safe in the school environment.
Cairee Johnson

In a Million Words or Less

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IVj2q8WZsg

This video was about how a teacher is using letters from the parents in order to help engage the students when they are in

the classroom. It also helps the parents take a more proactive approach in their child’s education and gets them excited

that they have teacher that wants to hear and learn about their child. I liked when she said “who doesn’t want to talk about

their child and tell how wonderful they are. There are certain tools that the teacher can use with the information in the letters

from the parents to help the child feel heard and listened to. This is a great, proactive tool for the teacher.
Cairee Johnson

Exploring Perceptions About Identity Through Self-Portraits

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNm3xM4B00s

This video was about exploring the identity of people and what makes them who they are- race, gender, ethnicity, socio

economic background, sexual orientation, etc. Their identity shapes how they are perceived in the world with their peers

and also shapes how they view the world. Those identity markers signal to people who they are. Identity work in a

classroom is very important because it helps the students feel safe. An activity they can do is draw a picture of themselves

and and split it down the middle and draw themselves on one side and then their identity markers on the other side. This

helps students embrace their identity.

Cairee Johnson

Check in and Check out- A Daily Support System for Students

https://www.edutopia.org/video/daily-support-system-students

This video was about children having additional adults other than their teacher to check in and out with and feel like they are

cared for. The teachers get them excited to be in the classroom and encourage them to have a great day. There are

incentives and rewards for good behavior and it supports positive reinforcement of good behavior. The students strive to be

more successful knowing that they will make the teacher proud.
Cairee Johnson

Tap In/Tap Out- Giving Teachers time to Recharge

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPtsP7pBobI

This video was about when teachers are feeling like they need to recharge and regroup after feeling depleted, they can rely

on their colleagues to help them. In this video the strategy is to text on the text chain in order to make a request for help and

they will come in and help take the class or come in and help the teacher. This video emphasizes that teachers should not

be afraid to ask for help. This is a great team building exercise and should be used everywhere.
Cairee Johnson

The Power of Relationships in Schools

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzvm1m8zq5g

This video was about the relationships that are important in a teacher student relationship. There is oxytocin that is released

then when a students feels loved. It is scientifically proven. These connections that are made by teachers with their

students is so very important and effective in helping the students feel like they are important and like they matter. I like

when the teacher said it is important that the students see that you are human too and can make mistakes. Students who

like their teachers want to do the work in a positive emotional space. It opens up the opportunity for better learning.
Cairee Johnson

Peace Corner: Creating Safe Space for Reflection

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxBv1w4SQyw

This video is about having a safe space in the classroom called a peace corner. This school has one in every classroom.

This a space that has pillows or bean bags or anything that will calm down the student. There is a 5 minute timer that they

have to cool down and a sheet that the student can fill out to make it better for the next time. There are also charts and

choices that they can talk about so they have a better experience next time. Every students uses this so there is no stigma

attached to it.