{"content":{"sharePage":{"page":0,"digests":[{"id":"71553204","dateCreated":"1421701847","smartDate":"Jan 19, 2015","userCreated":{"username":"TerriCooper","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/TerriCooper","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1420660256\/TerriCooper-lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/lpsbookstudy2015.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/71553204"},"dateDigested":1532252525,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Be Calm","description":"To help calm a frightened child, you must be calm yourself. I think when our students are dysregulated and acting out, they are on some level very frightened. I know as a teacher when a student started acting out, my anxiety level would escalate. All of a sudden there is A LOT of unpredictability in my day. I didn\u2019t know if the student would attack me or other students in the classroom, throw chairs, flip tables, run out of the room (what am I forgetting? \u263a). I\u2019m sure you have all been in similar situations. It\u2019s in these moments of chaos that we have to remain calm for the benefit of the student, other students in the classroom, and ourselves. What is your plan for staying calm? How does your ability to remain calm affect the situation?<br \/>\nTerri Cooper","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[{"id":"82271136","body":"My personal child struggles with bi-polar disorder. Dealing with his mood swings and behavioral struggles has helped me deal with students in similar situations. I've learned that keeping a calm tone and demeanor makes the child feel less defensive. If I seem frustrated or angry, the situation will escalate.","dateCreated":"1432661354","smartDate":"May 26, 2015","userCreated":{"username":"zettlem","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/zettlem","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"82271264","body":"With any chaotic and stressful situation, my main objective is to keep my voice calm. In my experience most kids who will flip out and cause a scene only respond to a raised voice by escalating their level of violence\/acting out. If it is a pattern I will try to set up ahead of time with the student a place where they can go to calm down, and lay out exactly what will cause me to call an administrator or not. I will constantly talk with the child wioth the main goal of helping them learn to self-regulate. Of course in any situation, safety is the primary concern and learning #2, and I always explain that to the child as well. Building a rapport and picking your battles is a crucial component so they don't view you as an enemy but rather an ally. Letting them know, at all times, that you care about them is your best weapon!","dateCreated":"1432661604","smartDate":"May 26, 2015","userCreated":{"username":"barkera1","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/barkera1","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"82273498","body":"As stated, most teachers have had that situation within the classroom that will probably be ingrained in their memory forever due to the severity of the situation. For me, my first situation was so early in my career that it helped shape me as a teacher. While teaching in Ybor city, I had an adult sized fifth grade student physically attack another smaller student, kicking him in the chest and head trying to seriously hurt him. My class was located in a portable so it was my responsibility to help this student. I removed the other students, sent them for help and took her attention off of the student and placed it on me. She was then physically going after me with chairs and objects. I was able to talk calmly and calm her down. At that point my adrenaline took over. I am now better able to recognize some of these situations and try to de-escalate the situation before it gets out of hand. I am able to stay calm for the sake of the other children because I know that it is important for the well being of those students. My first situation was so severe that I am confident that I can positively resolve other situations.","dateCreated":"1432667202","smartDate":"May 26, 2015","userCreated":{"username":"dperez69","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/dperez69","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"82274574","body":"When I see that a child is very upset or is becoming upset, I try to deescalate the situation by giving that child my undivided attention in order to find out what specifically is troubling them. Sometimes this works and we can move on, Other times, I find that the situation has quickly escalated and it is at this time that I realize remaining calm is imperative. In this case, I try to put myself in the child's place and try reasoning to them through empathy. I let them know that I understand their frustration and want to work with them to resolve the matter. In extreme cases, when the situation has become violent (throwing objects, screaming, etc) I may have to take immediate action to protect the safety of the other students. So calmly, I request administrative assistance while I keep a calm demeanor so as not to aggravate the student or instill fear in the others. On a few occasions, I've had to lead the class out of the room until the situation with the angry child has been resolved. roopanid","dateCreated":"1432670920","smartDate":"May 26, 2015","userCreated":{"username":"Lps-sysop","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/Lps-sysop","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"82274580","body":"If a student is acting out and sees me becoming upset and frustrated it tends to escalate the situation. My plan is to stop, make sure my students are safe, and try to pull the child aside. This way I can speak to him\/her in a low quiet voice.  Moyer","dateCreated":"1432670940","smartDate":"May 26, 2015","userCreated":{"username":"Lps-sysop","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/Lps-sysop","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"82274586","body":"My plan for staying calm...I'm not really sure I have a &quot;plan&quot; per say. In everyting I do, I try to speak in a clear calm manner even when a situtation becomes hightened. Most children I 've interacted with do not respond well to yelling\/raised voices. So I remember that when navigating a behavior situation. I rare situations when a child is being aggressive, one help I have is the teacher next to me in our pod. They can quickly come in, bring the rest of my class in with her, while I try to calm the child and or call for help. Hurleyj","dateCreated":"1432670953","smartDate":"May 26, 2015","userCreated":{"username":"Lps-sysop","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/Lps-sysop","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"82276708","body":"I always try to remain calm and offer an option one that is acceptable but then they feel like they are in control of the situation, or sometime just a change of scenery moving a seat a walk in the hall is all it can take.  First you must be able to talk to them so you need to be calm. JWoods","dateCreated":"1432677859","smartDate":"May 26, 2015","userCreated":{"username":"jwoods1616","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/jwoods1616","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"82279804","body":"Again I am reminded that my reactions are the single biggest and most controllable part of my day in the classroom. If I can remain calm then I have a much more likely chance of helping my student to remain calm.  This year I have been teaching students calm down strategies I hope that by teaching these strategies I am giving them tools to use at school and home.","dateCreated":"1432687710","smartDate":"May 26, 2015","userCreated":{"username":"lantzyc","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/lantzyc","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"82281418","body":"It is very important to remain calm during stressful situations.  My plan to remain calm includes the very popular second step strategy of &quot;belly breathing.&quot; The deep breathing allows me time to think of the right words to try to calm the student down. Of course a calm and reassuring tone of voice helps too.  Offering the student choices is always part of my plan too, so the child feels a sense of control.  H. Paprzycki","dateCreated":"1432692281","smartDate":"May 26, 2015","userCreated":{"username":"paprzyckih","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/paprzyckih","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"82288252","body":"Breathe\u2026 A deep breath and a few moments of quiet (if only in my head) have helped me to remain calm. A calm and quiet voice to approach the situation is often helpful, though I once had a student who stopped and responded when he was shocked by how loud I yelled to get his attention! Most often it is when I use a calm approach and a quiet voice that I see a calming response in students. CaroneD","dateCreated":"1432722564","smartDate":"May 27, 2015","userCreated":{"username":"CaroneD","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/CaroneD","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"82290398","body":"This hits home on such a personal level.  In the classroom 99% of the time I remain calm even when being growled at with the baring of teeth from a six year old, yet I cannot manage my anxiety with my personal child.  The effect of my anxiety, I often see in her reaction to situations that she feels will stress me out.  Which is evidence to me that a tramatized child would not be able to cope with such loss of calm.  I always try to think of the positive and spin it as quick as possible in the classroom.","dateCreated":"1432731965","smartDate":"May 27, 2015","userCreated":{"username":"mommypoz","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/mommypoz","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"82290898","body":"The old saying, \u201cIf you\u2019re gonna talk the talk, you have to walk the walk\u201d comes to mind when planning to stay calm during a situation.  My plan for staying calm includes deep breathes, thinking calming thoughts and counting backwards from ten.  I have set in my mind, the louder someone becomes, I purposely speak softer, quieter and calmer.  I know that when voices are so loud, no one is listening.  The communication is lost and nothing is going to be accomplished.  Walking away for a moment also helps to clear the mind and regain control of one\u2019s emotions.","dateCreated":"1432732994","smartDate":"May 27, 2015","userCreated":{"username":"dusekm","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/dusekm","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}}],"more":43}]}],"more":false},"comments":[]},"http":{"code":200,"status":"OK"},"redirectUrl":null,"javascript":null,"notices":{"warning":[],"error":[],"info":[],"success":[]}}