Individual Spaces
Overview
Having space where students can go supports Self-regulation and individual deliberate practice. This individual space serves as a place for students to focus on their work or take care of their emotional needs, rejoining the group when they are ready.
Example: Use This Strategy in the Classroom
Watch how these elementary school teachers introduce the idea of taking a break in the classroom. By discussing different reasons for needing to take a break in an individual space, they highlight how this is a strategy to help all students calm down and refocus.
Design It into Your Product
Videos are chosen as examples of strategies in action. These choices are not endorsements of the products or evidence of use of research to develop the feature.
Mindfulness apps, like Settle Your Glitter, support emotional regulation for learners. By simulating a glitter jar, learners can shake their tablet, watch the glitter settle, and regain control of their Emotions.
Additional Resources
Additional examples, research, and professional development. These resources are possible representations of this strategy, not endorsements.
Factors Supported by this Strategy
More Physical Space Strategies
Dim or natural lighting provides a calming environment.
Multiple tables and chairs on wheels allow for setting up the classroom to support the desired learning outcomes of each classroom activity.
Multiple display spaces promote collaboration by allowing groups to share information easily as they work.
Using multiple writing surfaces promotes collaboration by allowing groups to share information easily as they work.
Decreasing extra audio input provides a focused learning environment.
Books for vision differences support reading development for learners with visual needs.
Books of varying complexity and reading levels are necessary for all students to experience reading success.
With rhyming and creative word use, poetry is a genre that supports the development of early literacy skills in particular.
Students who have had little exposure to the school's language can benefit from having books in their Primary Language in their classroom.
Books with SEL topics, such as developing friendships and identifying emotions, help teach these skills.
Providing ways for students to adjust sound level supports individual auditory needs.
Providing ways for students to meet their individual temperature needs supports focus and Self-Regulation.
Spaces that are structured, organized, and clean provide increased room for collaboration and active learning.
