This is a weekly practise in this classroom. Every Thursday the students go home and collect something that is meaningful to them, that they can later share with their classmates.
I was lucky enough to lead the circle, where each student sat around in a circle on one of the carpets in the room. The circle went around to the left, and each child shared their item with as many or as few words as they felt fit. This exercise was important as each student was able to share something about themselves in a safe-inclusive setting. Once every student went, we went around one more time to do a “two-word check-in” something that we were able to practise in the B.Ed program. The check-in was interesting as it showed where different students were emotionally/energy-level-wise and allowed for the student to be viewed as a whole child rather than a learner solely.
Core Competency: Positive Personal and Cultural Identity
- Students who are personally aware and responsible recognize the factors that affect their holistic wellness and take increasing responsibility for caring for themselves
- I have valuable ideas to share.
First People’s Principles of Learning: Learning is embedded in memory, history, and story.
- Students chose their items, and how they are important, because of their lived experiences.
Big Idea:
- Language and text can be a source of creativity and joy (4&5)
Curricular Competencies and Content:
- Exchange ideas and perspectives to build shared understanding
- Oral language strategies
