Advice request: how do I create a safe and calming classroom for immigrants, refugees, and traumatized children

I’m a middle school ESL teacher and I’m taking over a new class of newcomers tomorrow. All of my children are new immigrants, and many of them are refugees. Over 70% of the kids in our district have experienced trauma and the ESL kids have an even higher rate. Thankfully, I have small classes with no more with ten children. I also speak Spanish (as do all of my kids). So that helps!

My classroom is very small with no windows, fluorescent lights, and made of cinderblock. One of the walls is painted blue (which is nice) but the rest of it is pretty stark and cramped. Suggestions for making a calming environment are much appreciated, as well as any advice you have about classroom procedures/management for traumatized kids. I want them to feel safe!

Submitted February 02, 2020 at 08:36PM by PersistentHobbler https://ift.tt/393kmR0