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2025-01-06

Ep.1 An Introduction to Declarative Language

Hosts: Tara Ross and Kristen Smith, Speech-Language Pathologists, Upper Grand District School Board Guest: Linda Murphy, Author of The Declarative Language Handbook and The Co-Regulation Handbook http://www.declarativelanguage.com Episode Overview: Welcome aboard the Upper Grand District School Board’s Social Learning Road Trip! In this inaugural episode, hosts Tara Ross and Kristen Smith, Speech-Language Pathologists with the Upper Grand District School Board, introduce the world of Declarative Language and its power to support students with social learning challenges. Together with Linda Murphy, the author of The Declarative Language Handbook and The Co-Regulation Handbook, they explore how using thoughtful, declarative language can help students feel competent, connected, and understood. Linda shares insights into the theory behind declarative language and its role in fostering authentic, positive connections, both with peers and educators. This episode lays the foundation for the series, where we’ll dive into practical strategies for using declarative language and co-regulation to support students’ social learning development. Whether you're new to these concepts or looking to deepen your knowledge, this episode will set you on the right track. Key Takeaways: What is Declarative Language?: Learn the basics of declarative language, how it differs from directive language, and why it's essential for supporting students with social learning difficulties.The Power of Co-Regulation: Discover how the practice of co-regulation can help students manage their emotions and connect authentically with others.Linda Murphy’s Work: Gain insights into Linda’s approach to supporting social learning through her books, The Declarative Language Handbook and The Co-Regulation Handbook, and how these resources are helping educators create more inclusive, supportive classrooms.Practical Applications for Educators: Tara and Kristen, along with Linda, share how educators can integrate declarative language and co-regulation into daily classroom interactions, providing actionable tips that are easy to implement.

2025-01-06

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16 min
2025-01-13

Ep.2 Navigating the Road to Self-Regulation: Visual Referencing, Episodic Memory, and Declarative Language

Hosts: Tara Ross and Kristen Smith, Speech-Language Pathologists from the Upper Grand District School Board Guests: Linda Murphy, Author of The Declarative Language Handbook www.declarativelanguage.com Mary Ann Schouten, the manager of Communication, Language, and Speech Services with the Upper Grand District School Board Key Takeaways: What Visual Referencing Is: Linda explains the concept of visual referencing, highlighting its importance over the traditional focus on eye contact. She discusses how this shift can reduce stress for students with sensory processing differences and promote more meaningful engagement with their surroundings.How Declarative Language Supports Visual Referencing: Learn how using DL allows students the time and space to process information in their environment without the pressure of forced eye contact. By making simple comments about what’s happening in the room, teachers can help students engage naturally with the classroom context.The Role of Episodic Memory in Social Learning: Linda shares how episodic memory—our ability to remember past experiences—can help students navigate new or stressful situations. She explains how DL can help students access these memories, reducing anxiety and supporting social competence.Practical Examples for Educators: From navigating a change in the classroom to handling unfamiliar situations like visiting the library, Linda offers clear examples of how declarative language can be used to ease transitions and help students feel grounded in novel situations.

2025-01-13

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13 min
2025-01-20

Ep.3Steering Through Challenges: Using Declarative Language to Drive Problem-Solving and Resilience

Guests: Linda Murphy, Author of The Declarative Language Handbook Jenny Marino, Mental Health Lead at Upper Grand District School Board. Episode Description: In this episode of the Social Learning Podcast, Tara Ross and Kristen Smith are joined by Linda Murphy, author of the Declarative Language Handbook, and Jenny Marino, Mental Health Lead at Upper Grand District School Board. They continue their journey into the world of declarative language and explore how this thoughtful communication style can support social learning, mental health, and problem-solving in students. Linda dives into the importance of using declarative language to reduce stress responses (like fight, flight, or freeze) in students, helping them engage with challenges in a calm, productive way. She explains how creating space for mistakes and reflection supports social competence and builds resilience. Plus, we learn practical tips for using declarative language to guide students through problem-solving—both individually and in the classroom as a whole. Key Takeaways:Understanding Stress Responses in StudentsLinda Murphy explains how certain communication styles, especially those that demand quick responses, can trigger the fight-flight-freeze response in students with social learning challenges. Stress behaviors like arguing, hiding, or freezing often stem from overwhelming demands. Declarative language helps by providing time and space for students to process information without the added stress of immediate response.Declarative Language Creates Space for ProcessingUsing declarative language shifts the conversation from a directive or demanding style to an invitational one. This approach allows students to take in information at their own pace, which helps them process new perspectives and ideas, reducing stress and promoting emotional regulation.The Importance of Making Mistakes in Safe SpacesLinda emphasizes the value of allowing students to experience and navigate mistakes independently. When educators refrain from immediately correcting mistakes or providing answers, they empower students to problem-solve, build resilience, and develop critical life skills—such as coping with failure and figuring out solutions on their own.Helping Students Navigate Mistakes Through Timing and SupportThe key to supporting students as they make mistakes is timing. Educators should avoid interrupting a student’s thinking process to correct errors prematurely. Instead, waiting until the student has finished a task—such as a math problem—before offering feedback allows students to discover mistakes on their own, fostering greater independence and confidence.Using Declarative Language to Guide Problem-SolvingLinda shares how declarative language can guide students through problem-solving by encouraging them to reflect on past experiences (episodic memory). For example, a teacher might say, “I remember something similar happened last week. Let’s see if we can remember what we did then,” allowing students to brainstorm solutions together and decide on the best course of action.Modeling Problem-Solving for the Whole ClassDeclarative language isn’t just for one-on-one support; it can also be used to model problem-solving in a group setting. Educators can narrate their own thought process when faced with challenges, such as a rainy day disrupting outdoor plans. This demonstrates that problems are manageable and provides students with a concrete example of how to approach challenges thoughtfully.Creating a Safe, Collaborative Classroom EnvironmentBy using declarative language, teachers foster a classroom environment where...

2025-01-20

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17 min
2025-02-03

Ep.5 On the Road to Learning: Exploring Declarative Language through Case Studies and Classroom Journeys

Hosts: Kristen Smith & Tara Ross, Speech-Language Pathologists, Upper Grand District School Board Special Guest: Linda Murphy, Author of The Declarative Language Handbook Episode Overview: In this episode of the Upper Grand District School Board Social Learning Road Trip, Kristin Smith and Tara Ross, both speech-language pathologists at Upper Grand, dive deeper into the practical use of declarative language in classrooms. They are joined once again by Linda Murphy, the author of The Declarative Language Handbook, to explore how educators can effectively implement declarative language strategies to support students' social, emotional, and academic growth. The episode includes two insightful case studies, where Linda provides expert advice on how declarative language can help students with different needs engage in learning and navigate challenging situations. Key Takeaways:Declarative Language for Classroom Support: Declarative language is a strategy that helps create a supportive environment by guiding students through transitions and challenges without putting additional pressure on them to come up with immediate answers.Using declarative statements instead of questions helps reduce anxiety and provides clear, non-demanding direction. 2.Engaging Students in Problem-Solving: Declarative language isn't just about giving instructions—it’s also about creating a space for collaborative problem-solving. This involves acknowledging the student’s feelings and experiences, as Linda highlights in her approach to understanding dysregulation in students. 3.Handling Transitions and Non-Preferred Tasks: Helping students transition from preferred to non-preferred tasks requires a curious mindset and a focus on what parts of the task might be challenging for them.Declarative statements like "We're going to do reading next, but I’ll help you through it so you can feel successful," help students anticipate and prepare for the shift, fostering a sense of control and reducing anxiety. Connect With Our Guest, Linda Murphy: www.declarativelanguage.com

2025-02-03

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23 min
2025-01-27

Ep.4 Taking the Scenic Route: How Declarative Language Transforms Classrooms and Conversations

Hosts: Kristen Smith & Tara Ross, Speech-Language Pathologists, Upper Grand District School Board Special Guest: Linda Murphy, Author of The Declarative Language Handbook Joined by: Dave Mesesnel, Special Education Consultant, Upper Grand District School Board Episode Overview: Welcome aboard! In this episode of our Social Learning Road Trip, we’re taking a deep dive into declarative language—a communication style that’s all about inviting conversation and building connections, not making demands. Kristen and Tara are joined by Linda Murphy, author of The Declarative Language Handbook, and Dave Mesesnel, a special education consultant with the Upper Grand District School Board, to explore how declarative language can transform classrooms into spaces where students feel more engaged and less stressed. So, buckle up Key Takeaways: Declarative vs. Imperative Language: The Road Less DemandingLinda Murphy kicks things off by explaining how declarative language differs from imperative language. While imperatives are like a GPS that tells you exactly what to do, declaratives are more like scenic route signs—they offer direction without pushing for a specific response. Linda shows us how declarative statements allow for authentic conversation without the pressure to “perform.”Building the Perfect Declarative StatementJust like any good road trip requires some preparation, making a solid declarative statement involves picking the right language. Linda shares how using cognitive verbs (think, wonder, decide) and sensory language (I see, I hear) can help us better express our thoughts and engage students in more meaningful ways. It’s about creating an open space for students to join in, without the anxiety of an immediate response.Don’t Just Ask, Invite!Educators often feel like they need to ask a question every time they want to check in with a student. But Linda suggests a detour: turn questions into declarative statements that invite reflection. Instead of “What did you learn today?” try “I’m curious about what you thought of that lesson.” This approach keeps the conversation going without the pressure of needing an “answer.”Navigating Uncertainty: Teaching Problem-Solving on the RoadThings don’t always go as planned on a road trip, and the same goes for the classroom! Linda encourages teachers to model vulnerability when things go sideways. By using declarative statements like, “Well, that didn’t go as planned, but I’m thinking about what to do next,” teachers show students that problem-solving and uncertainty are part of the journey. It’s a great way to model self-regulation and resilience. Connect With Our Guest, Linda Murphy: www.declarativelanguage.com

2025-01-27

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15 min
2025-02-10

Ep.6 Building Connections & Calm: The Power of Declarative Language in Trauma-Informed Classrooms

Hosts: Kristen Smith & Tara Ross, Speech-Language Pathologists, Upper Grand District School Board Special Guests: Linda Murphy, Author of The Declarative Language HandbookWendy Donaldson, Superintendent of Student Support Services, Upper Grand District School Board Episode Overview: Welcome back to the Upper Grand District School Board Social Learning Road Trip! On this leg of the journey, we’re exploring how declarative language can be used to build stronger connections in the classroom, support students through trauma-informed practices, and enhance co-regulation. Join Kristen, Tara, Linda, and special guest Wendy Donaldson, Superintendent of Student Support Services, as we talk about the big-picture impact of declarative language across the school environment. Whether you’re navigating the daily traffic of classroom dynamics or looking for tools to help your students feel more connected and understood, this episode is your roadmap to success! Key Takeaways: Declarative Language in the Classroom: A Bigger PictureLinda Murphy kicks off this episode by helping us see how declarative language isn't just a tool for individual connections, but a whole-school approach. It’s about teachers modeling thought processes and providing students with a way to communicate their ideas clearly. Linda explains how this practice encourages respect, empathy, and a deeper understanding of others’ perspectives. By using declarative language, teachers can create a school environment where students feel seen, heard, and connected.Scaffolding for Success: How to Make Declarative Language Work in a Busy ClassroomAs we all know, classrooms can get noisy and chaotic, and not every student is ready to engage with declarative language right away. Wendy Donaldson shares her thoughts on how we can be mindful of the environment and student needs when implementing declarative language. She and Linda discuss practical strategies for scaffolding communication, like adjusting physical proximity to students or using other supports to ensure that communication is being received effectively.The Impact of Declarative Language on Trauma-Informed PracticesThis is where the rubber meets the road. Kristen and Linda discuss how declarative language aligns with trauma-informed approaches. By reducing perceived threats and offering clear, non-demanding communication, declarative language helps students feel safe and more regulated. Linda highlights the importance of non-verbal communication, like body language and tone, to match the supportive nature of declarative speech, ensuring that students feel calm, connected, and ready to learn.Declarative Language and Co-Regulation: Setting the Stage for CalmLinda also touches on how declarative language supports co-regulation—one of the core strategies for helping students manage their emotions. By providing students with clear and calm communication, teachers can model appropriate emotional responses and help students learn how to regulate their own feelings in real-time. Wendy emphasizes that this approach can be especially helpful for students who have experienced trauma, creating an environment where they feel safe to express themselves and make sense of their surroundings. Connect With Our Guest, Linda Murphy: www.declarativelanguage.com

2025-02-10

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11 min
2025-03-24

Ep.12 Co-Regulation on the Playground and in the Classroom: Strategies for Supporting Students with Diverse Needs

Hosts: Tara Ross, Speech-Language PathologistKristen Smith, Speech-Language Pathologist Guests: Linda K. Murphy, Author of The Co-Regulation HandbookAmanda Pinnigar, Special Education Consultant (former Special Education Resource Teacher,) Upper Grand District School Board Overview: In this episode of the series, the team dives deep into the practical application of co-regulation strategies for supporting students with diverse needs in the classroom and beyond. Joining the conversation are Linda Murphy, author of The Co-Regulation Handbook, and Amanda Pinnigar, a special education resource teacher with the Upper Grand District School Board. Together with co-hosts Tara Ross and Kristen Smith, they explore real-life classroom scenarios and discuss how to integrate co-regulation and competent roles into everyday teaching practices. From supporting reluctant readers to fostering peer-to-peer interactions during recess, this episode provides valuable insights and actionable strategies to create a supportive learning environment. Key Takeaways: Co-regulation isn’t just about the student; it's about creating an environment where they can succeed. Establishing clear, manageable roles during tasks—whether in a whole group, small group, or individual setting—helps students feel competent and engaged.Declarative language is essential for students with developmental language disorders. Using explicit la00nguage to guide students through tasks and narrating the process fosters understanding and self-regulation.Peer-to-peer interactions can be a key avenue for social learning. Encouraging parallel or reciprocal play, and scaffolding these interactions, helps students with social-emotional challenges develop essential skills in a low-pressure environment.Teachers play an essential role in setting up success. Whether through creating competent roles, guiding peer interactions, or narrating the process, teachers are the architects of a supportive, co-regulated classroom environment.Linda K. Murphy, Author of The Co-Regulation Handbook www.declarativelanguage.com

2025-03-24

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20 min
2025-06-04

Ep. 10: Launching & Managing Book Clubs - Talking with an Author of Breathing New Life into Book Clubs

Dr. Sonja Cherry-Paul, an expert in literacy and equity, discusses the transformative power of book clubs in education. The discussion explores how book clubs can breathe new life into reading practices by centering student choice, fostering diverse voices, and creating a joyful learning environment. Dr. Cherry-Paul emphasizes the importance of cultivating student voice, reflecting identities through literature, and embracing the chaos of book clubs as a means to enhance student engagement and growth in literacy.

2025-06-04

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24 min
2025-02-24

Ep.8 Navigating Co-Regulation: Steering Students Toward Success

Hosts: Tara Ross & Kristen Smith, SLPs with UGDSB Special Guests: Linda Murphy, Author of The Co-Regulation Handbook, Ruby Dellil, Principal, Upper Grand District School Board Episode Overview: Welcome back to the Upper Grand District School Board Social Learning Road Trip podcast! In this week’s episode, Tara Ross and Kristen Smith, both Speech-Language Pathologists at UGDSB, are joined by two incredible guests: Linda Murphy, author of the Co-Regulation Handbook, and Ruby Dalil, an elementary school principal at UGDSB. Together, they continue the conversation from last week, diving into the practical application of co-regulation in the classroom and beyond. This week’s episode gives listeners a crash course in co-regulation, covering foundational concepts, strategies for implementation, and how this dynamic practice can be used to foster authentic learning experiences. Key Takeaways: Co-regulation is a dynamic partnership: It’s a shared experience where both communication partners—whether adults or peers—respond to each other moment-to-moment. It’s less about directing the other person and more about being present in the interaction.Competent roles build regulation: Giving students a role they feel confident in, especially during moments of dysregulation, creates a sense of safety and helps them regain emotional control.Focus on process, not just product: Rushing to finish tasks can rob us of the rich learning opportunities that come from navigating challenges. Co-regulation allows students and teachers to slow down and engage with the process of learning, which leads to deeper understanding.Co-regulation extends beyond adults: Although co-regulation is often seen as an adult-to-student interaction, it can also be incredibly effective in peer-to-peer exchanges, especially when the students are ready for more dynamic, unpredictable interactions. Connect With Our Guest, Linda Murphy: www.declarativelanguage.com

2025-02-24

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14 min
2025-06-04

Ep. 9: Launching & Managing Book Clubs - Anchoring to Our Anchor Texts

Hosts Sandy and Heather in coversation to introduce season two. Sandy and Heather discuss the podcast’s two anchor texts to give an overview of launching and managing book clubs in classrooms. They discuss various structures for book clubs, the importance of diverse texts, and the essential skills needed for successful discussions. The conversation emphasizes the need for effective organization and planning and aims to inspire educators to create engaging and inclusive reading experiences for students.

2025-06-04

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17 min

A channel dedicated to shows and episodes from the staff at Upper Grand District School Board located in South Western Ontario, Canada

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Upper Grand DSB

Top Shows

Ep.1 An Introduction to Declarative Language

Ep.2 Navigating the Road to Self-Regulation: Visual Referencing, Episodic Memory, and Declarative Language

Ep.3Steering Through Challenges: Using Declarative Language to Drive Problem-Solving and Resilience

Ep.5 On the Road to Learning: Exploring Declarative Language through Case Studies and Classroom Journeys

Ep.4 Taking the Scenic Route: How Declarative Language Transforms Classrooms and Conversations

Ep.6 Building Connections & Calm: The Power of Declarative Language in Trauma-Informed Classrooms

Ep.12 Co-Regulation on the Playground and in the Classroom: Strategies for Supporting Students with Diverse Needs

Ep. 10: Launching & Managing Book Clubs - Talking with an Author of Breathing New Life into Book Clubs

Ep.8 Navigating Co-Regulation: Steering Students Toward Success

Ep. 9: Launching & Managing Book Clubs - Anchoring to Our Anchor Texts

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