Introduce students to the new space prior to moving to build familiarity and minimise challenging situations
Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Involving students in planning and preparing for the transition to the new space’
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On this page:
Current page section: Introduce students to the new space
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Go to top of current page: Introduce students to the new space
Go to top of current page: Introduce students to the new space
Prepare for change
Prepare for change
Create a revisitable resource, for example, a book, slideshow, or video, of the new spaces for students. Include things they may be anxious about, such as where to hang bags, where they can sit, and quiet spaces.
Use a visual timeline
Use a visual timeline
Create and refer regularly to a visual timeline showing the dates and steps to prepare for change.
Use this selection of online tools to create a timeline that captures and presents information in a visual format.
Visit the new space regularly
Visit the new space regularly
- Arrange for students to visit the new spaces on several occasions before moving in.
- Show photographs or videos of the new spaces and talk about what will happen in them.
- Prepare a scrapbook on the new space for students to familiarise themselves with how it looks, and where they can work in the space.
- Discuss any concerns the students may have about the move and address these directly.
- Use social stories to practice routines, systems, and ways of working.
- Visit locations in the new space that may be different to the current classroom space (for example, work spaces, the gymnasium, the cloakroom).
Practise routines prior to moving
Practise routines prior to moving
Lucy Fong explains how they trialled different uses of space by converting single classrooms, prior to building their new flexible learning spaces.
Next steps
More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Involve students in transition to new space”:
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Current page Introduce students to the new space
Return to the guide “Planning innovative learning environments (ILEs)”
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Understand:
Strategies for action:
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Collaborate to develop an inclusive ILEShow suggestions for Collaborate to develop an inclusive ILE
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Develop inclusive teaching practicesShow suggestions for Develop inclusive teaching practices
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Design for all from the outsetShow suggestions for Design for all from the outset
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Involve students in transition to new spaceShow suggestions for Involve students in transition to new space
- Introduce students to the new space
- Introduce new teaching and learning approaches
- Involve students in designing routines
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Work with parents and whānauShow suggestions for Work with parents and whānau