Problem
Explain what strategies Ms. Smith could implement in order to help Andrew develop a sense of safety and trust in her classroom.
Ms. Smith is concerned about her new first grade student, Andrew. He is aggressive (hitting, pushing) towards the other students and some of them are actually afraid to be in the same work group with him. He is defiant to the teacher and often screams, "No!" when Ms. Smith asks him to finish his work, clean up, etc. Ms. Smith had a conference with his mother who told her she "is at the end of her rope" when it comes to Andrew and cannot handle his behavior at home. His mother said that he has been through more than most 6-year-olds. He has experienced the effects of his parents' divorce, poverty, and sexual abuse. His mother is struggling as a single parent and as a survivor of childhood abuse herself.