Jan. 14th- We started our Peace Circle by going into our circle quickly, quietly and safely. We began with connecting our pinkies and discussed how what we say is not to be discussed on the playground or anywhere except home with parents.
Topic: What are you feeling bad about?
Powerful things were said. I had a young man say his parents were always fighting and he had to go to court. That explained why he sometimes would zone out on me. I could tell he was worried. I was thrilled he felt comfortable enough to share that with the others.
Our next topic for the same day was… “What do you feel good about?” This topic seemed to be more difficult for some. I wonder why that is? The things the students said on both topics were wonderful. I found this concept helped me learn more about my students. I thought I knew a lot about my kids until I did this. Wonderful.
1/18- Topic: How do you feel about the classroom and how could we make it better?
A certain young man’s name was brought up more than once. By the time we had finished, that young man was really thinking about how the others felt about him and his actions. I have seen a difference in him. Powerful!!
1/25- Topic: Football. 5th grade had been doing a lot of arguing about the football game. The first time we went around the circle each told how they felt about the game, others, fairness. When we finished the first time around there were many feelings expressed. The second time we went around was to come up with solutions. They ended up having 4 boys not be quarterback for 1 week. Their names were mentioned quite a bit and it wasn’t positive. The students also made very good decisions about the rules. We will see if they stick by them.
During the circle, a young lady asked all the others if they thought she was being bossy and had an attitude. Some kids raised their hands right away. Others were kind of raising their hands and all the other girls were shaking their hands like “Kind of.” I think they were afraid of her a little. I only have 7 girls and she tries to run them quite often. I believe that just by her asking that question, means that she is aware that people are getting fed up with her.
1/29 Tues. Students had been playing their new football game for two days now and on both days different students have came in saying how much fun football was. I have not heard that in a very long time. Others are also finding out there are other students who are very good at QB.
2/4 Mon. The question for the day was, “How are things going on the playground?”
I asked that question because there was a boy thing going on with a game and I knew the girls were having difficulties. The boys and girls were very honest. The boys voiced their opinions and one certain boy was brought up a lot. He did not say much but he knew he was wrong. We will see what happens tomorrow.
The girls were saying things to each other and comments were made going up the stairs to the classroom. Although, things that they thought were said weren’t, and that was discussed. It was a very good discussion.
**Each student was to put their name in a basket and they chose one, they are to write 3 compliments by Friday and we will share them on that day.
** I also told them about their basket and how they can put topics in there to be discussed at Peace Circle.
2/8…
Today was compliment day. As we began I immediately saw smiles on the children’s faces. They loved it. Some compliments were a little shallow, but the student seems to have tried and meant it.
The second time around we said how we felt. Everyone liked it. One girl said she saw the boy writing things down as soon I had said it was time for Circle. She let him know how she felt.
We also started our suggestion jar. There were probably 10 suggestions in 4 days. We read them all and decided to choose “Friendship” there seems to be problems there. We will work on that next time.
3/15 Since it had been a while, we chose to leave the topic open. The first round was …. To say whatever is on your mind. The topics proceeded to talk about football and how it was going and friendship with the girls. The topics never seem to change too much, but the best thing I see happening is the student’s ability to resolve the problem at the time, to be able to talk it out and not to be afraid of putting someone on the spot with grace!
The football games were going pretty well at this time and the friendship thing is really firing up again. I have spent numerous times working with the girls on a one to one basis and as small groups and large groups. At this time one parent is very involved with her daughter because the problems seem to stem around her. That has helped. Many of the items we discussed were brought forth in Peace Circle and some of it was resolved.
3/ 22 Peace Circle was mostly about the weekend. The students bring many of their problems to school from home or something that happened. I have learned so much with this circle and it has helped me work more closely with my students and I have a better handle on what it going on to hopefully help them.
There was a big DARE night and many of my students went to it. One girl in particular was “going out” with another boy. She gave strict orders to “Keep this certain girl away from her boy.” Well it escalated and by Monday at school there was a big problem. I did not know this. I could just tell there was something going on. In Peace Circle, it all came out. The students used names and acted very grown up. I was proud of them. It certainly opened my eyes on a certain young lady. She had always given me the impression of “Poor Me” and everyone is picking on me, when in the circle we all found out what she had done and how she had said some pretty hurtful things.
She was put on the spot and she knew it. It was VERY powerful.
A week later things are going much better and the young lady who usually causes many of the problems had to learn how to forgive for once. That was a learning experience also. Great stuff!