Learning in Safe Schools: Creating Classrooms Where All Students Belong

Luke Lawson is a teacher and administrator in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Many teachers are frustrated by the countless scenes of violence in the
media and the bullying on many playgrounds. This informative, practical,
and easy-to-follow book offers guidance on constructing a safer
classroom and school.

There are three parts. The first focuses on building an inclusive
school. The notion of the whole school community—students, teachers,
parents and administrators—building a code of conduct is superbly
explained; the steps to inclusiveness proposed by the authors include
assemblies, songs, classroom work, and parents meeting with teachers and
students. The second part, entitled “Teaching So All Students Can
Learn,” focuses on ways to make the curriculum and materials suit the
various needs in the classroom. The final section, “Taking Ownership
of All Students,” centres on creating a resource model and
implementing class reviews.

The book contains many illustrations, diagrams, and lists, and asks
thought-provoking questions. Teachers will also appreciate the
reproducible pages that can be used for workshops, teacher meetings, and
presentations. Learning in Safe Schools is a must-have for all teachers.