Optimising the Transition to High

SchoolParent EveningClare Greenup

2013

HopesFears

HOPESFEARS

• Do well in exams * Failure• Make new friends * Being Bullied• Pick up new subjects * Getting Lost

* Mean Teachers* Too Much Work* Too much/too

hard homework

* Being Embarrassed

ANXIETY

In the classroom …Stage of Stress Cycle

Baseline

**** is calm and in control

This looks like

-

-

-

Trigger

*** experiences a stressor

This portrays as

-

-

-

Escalation

***’s behaviours intensify – increased signs of

agitation

This portrays as

-

-

Teacher Prompts and Behaviours

Specific, performance based praise – low key

Prepare for any transition as needed

Gentle redirection – visual more than verbal

Connect and redirect “mate I can see you’re a

bit upset..let’s look at....and we’ll sort it out

later

Prompt to use calm plan if needed

Short purposeful statement – precision request

Less verbal – gestural/visual cues as needed

Strategies for ***

http://www.calmclinic.com/anxiety/treatment/diet

I have …

I am ….

I can …

I HAVE ….People around me I trust and who love me, no matter whatPeople who set limits for me so I know when to stop before there is danger or troublePeople who show me how to do things right by the way they do thingsPeople who want me to learn to do things on my ownPeople who help me when I am sick, in danger or need to learn

I AM …A person people can like and loveGlad to do nice things for others and show my concernRespectful of myself and othersWilling to be responsible for what I doSure things will be all right

I CAN …Talk to others about things that frighten me or bother meFind ways to solve problems that I faceControl myself when I feel like doing something not right or dangerousFigure out when it is a good time to talk to someone or to take actionFind someone to help me when I need it

I have

I am

I can

in the classroom..

What you can do at home..

• Duplicate supplies at home• Set up a specificwork area• Calendar• Timetabling

WHAT SHOULD BE IN A WORK AREA

• SPACE!!!• Computer/laptop• Paper• Pencil case• Calculator• Filing system • inbox• Easily seen calendar• Easily seen clock• Timetable (X2)

In a Classroom …• Dialogue and questioning• Breaking Tasks up in to Steps

(scaffolding)• Goal Setting• Independence • Problem Solving• Modelling thinking opportunities• Using Mistakes as Learning

Opportunities

• Map of school game• Agreements on ICT time

allocations (see handout)• Watches and telling the time and

conversations about how long things take

• Designated family times

Stephen Covey

Some final mentions…

• Sleep

• Conflict management, resilience (bullying)• Relaxation techniques• Transitioning students with special

needs• Transport there andhome – independence

• In the classroom …

• Rite of passage – looking back looking forward

Autobiographies, favourite memory book..

And finally ….

Transition and puberty (be prepared!)Emotions