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a ready-to-run workshopChange & Transitions
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Supporting Students Through Change & Transitions (Workshop)

Change is hard, and students face a lot of it, new schools, new grades, new teachers, family changes, moving. Supporting students through transitions, with predictability, connection, and acknowledgment, helps them feel secure and keep learning through the disruption.

Key takeaway

Students face constant change, new schools, grades, teachers, family changes; supporting them through transitions with predictability, connection, and acknowledgment helps them feel secure and keep learning.

Format
PLC / team meeting
Length
45 minutes
Group size
Any (works 4-40)
Who can run it
Any teacher-leader
You will need
Slides (5)Printed handoutA transition in mindA timer
Aligned to
Learning Forward: Transformational ProcessesInTASC 3: Learning EnvironmentsResearch on transitions and student wellbeing
Share / assign

Why it works

Transitions and change, moving to a new school or grade, a new teacher, changes at home, and major disruptions, are stressful for students and can affect their security, behavior, and learning. Research on transitions points to supports that help: predictability and clear routines, strong connection and relationships, acknowledging the change and students' feelings about it, extra support during the adjustment, and helping students build coping and a sense of agency. Teachers who anticipate and support transitions, rather than expecting students to simply adjust, help them stay secure and engaged.

The research: Research on transitions, change, and student wellbeing.

The run-of-show

Choose your slot. The agenda, timings, and length update to match.

    The core activity: support a transition

    Teachers leave with a plan to support a change students are facing.

    Predictability, connection, acknowledgmentChange is hard for students. Support transitions with predictability and routines, strong connection, and acknowledging the change, so students feel secure and keep learning.

    Facilitator notes

    Expecting instant adjustment leaves students strugglingAssuming students should just adapt to change ignores how disruptive it is. Support transitions with predictability, connection, and acknowledgment.

    Adapt it

    Participant handout

    One page for every teacher. Print it, or save it as a PDF.

    K12 Academics · Professional Learning

    Change & Transitions: help students feel secure

    <b>Through the disruption:</b> predictability and routines, strong connection, and acknowledging the change and feelings.

    1. The change or transition students are facing:
    2. The predictability and routines I provide:
    3. How I strengthen connection and acknowledge the change:
    4. The extra support during adjustment:
    5. A student or transition to support now:

    Make it stick

    Secure through change:

    Common questions

    Why do transitions affect students so much?
    Change disrupts the security and predictability students rely on, affecting their emotions, behavior, and learning. Major or frequent transitions are especially hard. Supporting them through it matters.
    How do I support a student through a big change?
    Provide predictability and routines, strengthen connection, acknowledge the change and their feelings, offer extra support during adjustment, and help them cope. Do not expect instant adjustment.
    What about whole-class transitions like a new grade?
    Build predictability and relationships early, acknowledge the newness, and ease students in. Anticipating the transition helps the whole group feel secure.

    Go deeper

    Build it into a bigger day

    Workshop
    Community & Belonging
    Workshop
    Building Relationships
    Workshop
    Routines & Procedures