Tools and resources

The IRC has a range of tools and resources [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] to help you Prepare a Safe Place to Land in your classroom and wider school.

Next, you will read through two key resources which can help you to get to know your students better.

You can use these with your whole class and provide your own example so they can learn about you too or you can use these in small groups or one-to-one, depending on your role.

You can share both completed activities with other relevant staff to help them to build a relationship with newcomer refugee students.

Resource 1: I am, I have, I can, I dream

Described image
Show description|Hide description

I am Syrian, the oldest sister, intelligent, multilingual, Muslim. I have a supportive family, good friends, a cat, dreams to be an architect. I can speak three languages, play basketball, do a handstand, be a good friend. I dream of being an artist, going to university, playing professional football.

You can download a PDF of I am, I have, I can, I dream.

A past trainee on the Healing Classrooms programme completed the I am, I have, I can, I dream activity with a newcomer refugee student and shared this with the headteacher.

The head then used the information given (such as a love of basketball) to strike up a conversation in the playground with the new student, helping them to start to build a relationship with them.

The head teacher voiced that “it was a wonderful way to gain insight into who the students are and what makes them tick”.

Resource 2: I Am From Poem

The I Am From Poem is a fantastic activity for all students to reflect on who they are and where they come from.

Described image
Show description|Hide description

Step 1: List familiar foods, especially those associated with joyful occasions and celebrations. Step 2: List sights, sounds and smells from your neighbourhood. Step 3: List familiar sayings heard repeatedly growing up. Step 4: List familiar people, family members, friends and ancestors. Step 5: Add “I am from” to the beginning of each list to make your poem.

You can download a PDF of the I Am From Poem.

 

Read the completed I Am From Poem by our Senior Education Officer:

I am from Yorkshire puddings and roast beef,

I am from chip butties dipped in gravy,

I am from little slices of birthday cake with the white icing and jam inside,

I am from back alleys full of kids playing hopscotch,

I am from the smell of curry wafting through the rows of terraced houses,

I am from shrieks and laughing and cars beeping and “quick, car’s coming”,

I am from “going t’shop”, “y’alright chick”, “tarrar see you later”,

I am from Mancunian miners, cotton mill workers and grafters.

 

You can write your own poem below.

To use this interactive functionality a free OU account is required. Sign in or register.
Words: 0
Interactive feature not available in single page view (see it in standard view).

 

A past trainee on the Healing Classrooms programme said the following.

“I love, love, love the I Am From Poem. We get so hung up on what these students are missing or on how traumatised they might be from bad experiences in their past that we forget to celebrate the good times and the happy memories.

I have used this with two of my classes now as an introductory activity in the first week of term and it is an excellent way for the students to share who they are and for me to get to know them quickly and meaningfully”.

Next you will read through a selection of resources made by IRC and others to help you easily put the strategies you have read about into use in your daily work.

Positive behaviour management

Tools to Prepare a Safe Place to Land