Lighting
Overhead florescent lights can add to overwhelm because they are bright and directly overhead which can cause a glare on materials and worksheets. Additionally, some individuals are especially sensitive to the "hum" or "buzz" of these lights as well as any flickering that may occur.
Reduce student overwhelm by using indirect lighting such as natural light from windows, string lights, or lamps.
 |
| Overhead String Lights and Lamps Ashley Holtz Kleptz ELC, Northmont |
 |
| Light Cover Tracey Cooper Tecumseh, Clark ESC |
 |
| Pendant Lights and Lamps Jon Rowley Smith Elementary, Oakwood |
 |
| String Lights and Light Covers Maggie Brackman Northwood Elementary, Northmont |
Visual Barriers
Items hanging on the wall, people walking around the classroom, and movement of staff and classmates can add to overwhelm because it can be visually distracting or even startle sensitive students.
Reduce student overwhelm by using visual barriers such as dividers, study carrels, or individualized work spaces.
 |
| Portable Divider Kathy Nance Springfield |
 |
| Student Work Space with Flexible Folding Mat Divider Cindy Bowling Dixie Elementary, New Lebanon |
 |
| Portable Rolling Divider Holly Smith Nevin Coppock Elementary, Miami County ESC |
 |
| Student Work Space With Physical Boundaries Lauren Dickey Indian Riffle Elementary, Kettering |
 |
| Flexible Folding Mat Divider Amanda McCormick Driscoll Elementary, Centerville |
 |
| Portable Rolling Divider Driscoll Elementary, Centerville |
 |
| Room Divider Cassandra Hebauf Northmoor Elementary, Northmont |
Additionally, cover open storage, use consistent storage bins, and cover distracting items or displays within the classroom.
 |
| Covered Interactive Whiteboard Jackie Vollmer Driscoll Elementary, Centerville |
 |
| Anchor Chart Bulletin Board with Curtain Rod |
 |
| Covered Phone with Flexible Folding Mat Rylie Jarrett Stevenson Elementary, Mad River |
 |
| Covered Storage Taylor Ruef Stevenson Elementary, Mad River |
 |
| Student Covered with Blanket Nicole Bellard Fairview Elementary, Dayton |
Classroom Calming Space
When extremely overwhelmed, a student's fight or flight reflex may be activated leading to aggressive behaviors, hiding, or eloping out of the classroom.
Reduce student overwhelm by providing a safe, calming space within the classroom where students can go to escape overwhelming stimuli and regulate.
Student Home Base/Safe Space
MaKynzie Lowery
Learning Center-West, MCESC
 |
Classroom Calming Corner MaKynzie Lowery Learning Center-West, MCESC |
 |
| Calming Classroom Environment Decor Julia Millikin Milton Union Elementary, Milton Union |
 |
| Classroom Calming Spot Kendra Krumpe EJ Brown Middle School, Dayton |
 |
| Wall Mural Station Deanna Granroth Wogaman Middle School, Dayton |
For more information regarding calming classroom setup, check out our previous posts:
No comments:
Post a Comment