Wraparound Support Strategies
1. Teacher/Student Contracts
In order to provide students with the support that they require, Roxanne Claassen suggests in her text, Discipline That Restores, that teachers work with students to create individual contracts. These contracts are something that the student and teachers agree upon. It provides a set of "rules" each party will sign and commit to follow in order to give the student their best chance at success. These contracts are catered towards the needs of the individual student and can be created at any point in the year.
In order to provide students with the support that they require, Roxanne Claassen suggests in her text, Discipline That Restores, that teachers work with students to create individual contracts. These contracts are something that the student and teachers agree upon. It provides a set of "rules" each party will sign and commit to follow in order to give the student their best chance at success. These contracts are catered towards the needs of the individual student and can be created at any point in the year.
2. Phone Calls or Emails Home
A second strategy is to have constant communication with parents. Often, teachers only contact the family of a specific student if there is a concern. I believe that it is important to be in contact with parents for positive things as well. By having positive communication with the parents, I will establish a well-rounded support system behind the student. |
3. Work Collaboratively With Parents/Guardians
There should be a support system behind every student. Annette L. Breaux suggests in her book, 101 'Answers' for New Teachers and Their Mentors, to "work cooperatively and professionally with them in helping to achieve a common goal" (79). It is important for the families to have a positive relationship with the teachers of their students.
There should be a support system behind every student. Annette L. Breaux suggests in her book, 101 'Answers' for New Teachers and Their Mentors, to "work cooperatively and professionally with them in helping to achieve a common goal" (79). It is important for the families to have a positive relationship with the teachers of their students.
4. Heart to Heart Support Groups
Although Susan C. Adler is an elementary school teacher, I believe that her idea to have heart to heart support groups is also applicable to the high school environment. The two goals that Adler has for these groups is:
1. To provide a warm, caring environment in order to facilitate personal and academic growth.
2. To provide a support program, based on the group concept, that will help students deal with concerns in positive, appropriate ways.
Much like SST meetings, the availability of these "heart to hearts" will help establish a positive relationship between the teacher, student, and family.
Adler, C. Susan. Heart to Heart Support Group. (n.d.). Retrieved November 7, 2015.
Although Susan C. Adler is an elementary school teacher, I believe that her idea to have heart to heart support groups is also applicable to the high school environment. The two goals that Adler has for these groups is:
1. To provide a warm, caring environment in order to facilitate personal and academic growth.
2. To provide a support program, based on the group concept, that will help students deal with concerns in positive, appropriate ways.
Much like SST meetings, the availability of these "heart to hearts" will help establish a positive relationship between the teacher, student, and family.
Adler, C. Susan. Heart to Heart Support Group. (n.d.). Retrieved November 7, 2015.
5. Peer Tutoring
The availability of peer tutoring and mentoring is essential in order to advocate for student success. Having teacher/parent support is important, but having the support of a peer is powerful.
The availability of peer tutoring and mentoring is essential in order to advocate for student success. Having teacher/parent support is important, but having the support of a peer is powerful.
6. Circle Meetings
Like the knights of the round table, circle meetings allow for equal authority. In circle meetings, students, peers, teachers, administration, and parents are all put on the same level. In this way, students are given the opportunity to communicate their emotions more comfortably. Each student can have one to two circle meetings a semester. One circle meeting can be addressing the issue and then coming up with a plan to fix the issue. The second circle meeting can serve as a follow up or debrief meeting.
Like the knights of the round table, circle meetings allow for equal authority. In circle meetings, students, peers, teachers, administration, and parents are all put on the same level. In this way, students are given the opportunity to communicate their emotions more comfortably. Each student can have one to two circle meetings a semester. One circle meeting can be addressing the issue and then coming up with a plan to fix the issue. The second circle meeting can serve as a follow up or debrief meeting.
Artifacts:
Peer Tutoring Sign-Up Sheet: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1N1R6SxJkbMp7Zu7uy7DrAHuAalEzw-OfbaCln-Zxp24/edit?usp=sharing
Peer Tutoring Sign-Up Sheet: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1N1R6SxJkbMp7Zu7uy7DrAHuAalEzw-OfbaCln-Zxp24/edit?usp=sharing
Adler, C. Susan. Heart to Heart Support Group. (n.d.). Retrieved November 7, 2015.
Breaux, A. (2003). 101 "answers" for new teachers & their mentors: Effective teaching tips for daily classroom use. Larchmont, NY: Eye On Education
Claassen, R., & Claassen, R. (2008). Discipline that restores: Strategies to create respect, cooperation, and responsibility in the classroom. Place of publication not identified: Ron and Roxanne Claassen.
Pranis, Kay. (2005). The Little Book of Circle Processes: A new/old approach to peacemaking. The Little Books of Justice and Peacebuilding Series. Intercourse, PA: Good Books.
Breaux, A. (2003). 101 "answers" for new teachers & their mentors: Effective teaching tips for daily classroom use. Larchmont, NY: Eye On Education
Claassen, R., & Claassen, R. (2008). Discipline that restores: Strategies to create respect, cooperation, and responsibility in the classroom. Place of publication not identified: Ron and Roxanne Claassen.
Pranis, Kay. (2005). The Little Book of Circle Processes: A new/old approach to peacemaking. The Little Books of Justice and Peacebuilding Series. Intercourse, PA: Good Books.