Supporting Student Transitions

(bright music) - How do I ease the transition for my students as they move in and out of my classroom? For students who are moving into my classroom, I try to have students visit my classroom with their families as soon as they know they might be becoming a part of my class. We can start to build a relationship and talk about the areas of our classroom and our classroom routines. I give the student a book I made that introduces them to the places they will see in the classroom. I also have this book on a talking PowerPoint form so they can listen to or read a digital version on devices at home. (bright music) If a student is moving to a different classroom or another campus in our district, I try to go with them to visit the new environment. I have the student help me take pictures of the new place, and when we get back to our classroom, we create an experience story together, and they can read that over and over. A visit is not always possible, so if we can't visit, I do try to get pictures of the places, materials, or people they'll see in the new place and create a little social narrative type book for them that way. While the school hands over the official school records, I try to send the new teacher things that will help my student get started in their new classroom. I pass along a copy of their portfolio with information on their preferences, any specific visual supports we've been using consistently in the student classroom, such as their first-then chart and the student's work system structure. I also try to email my student's new teacher, offering support in case they have any questions about behavior or instructional strategies. (bright music) My class also writes the student a letter so they know that we're thinking about them and wishing them the best of luck in their new place. (bright music fades)