Designing a therapeutic classroom - Step 1

When teachers think about setting up their classrooms for the school year they usually think about where to put the furniture, what to put up on the walls, where students will turn in their work and where to post important information.  They may not give as much thought to the components required to make sure that same classroom initially (and always) feels safe for each student.  The first step in designing a therapeutic classroom is exactly that.  Think about how you would feel if you were a student walking into this classroom for the first time.  Everything will feel new.  This is an environment with new and unknown expectations.  Anxiety is a common reaction to change, and each new classroom/new school year is a big change.  Students who have not had a consistently successful academic career prior to this will bring with them a different set of expectations and reactions than those who have thrived in previous classrooms.  Some will be fearful and hate school.  How will you help each student feel comfortable?  How will you help them feel safe - safe to be there, but also safe to participate and stretch as a learner?  How will you ensure that the culture of the class is one centered on acceptance and respect for each and every member of the class?