Tribes Learning Communities

In class we have been working on community circles. As a class we all sit in a circle and share an idea on a topic by taking turns. An object is used to represent a talking stick to facilitate and build inclusion in the tribes circle community.

This is an idea adapted from the Tribes Learning Communities, which fosters four founding principles; attentive listening, mutual respect, appreciation/no put downs, and the right to pass-the right to participate.

We have been working on this skill and the students are becoming active and engaged participants. Throughout this process the children are demonstrating caring, sharing, and participation.

Some recent topics within the community circle have been; sharing your weekend plans/weekend news, how you are feeling today, favourite colour, what would you buy if you had one hundred dollars and what about if you had one dollar, as well as what you like to do in the rain, and something good in your world.

The community circle allows every child a chance to be seen, to speak, and to be heard, giving them a role and a voice. It also shows that each of us has a different way of looking at things and we can learn from one another.