Circle As Practice
Embedded Files
“Cree Language and Culture learning works best by taking a holistic approach. You may want to consider setting up your classroom as a circle to encourage cooperation and a sense of community. When planning teaching and learning activities in the Cree Language and Culture classroom the teacher can plan for balance by considering the teachings of the Learning Circle – the Medicine Wheel.”
An Indigenous practice, as well as a practice that is used across many cultures around the world, is circle dialogues. The circle in itself is a symbol of equality with no hierarchical top or bottom to the shape. When you have your students sit in a circle there is a physical shift in power dynamics making students feel more comfortable when practiced appropriately. On the left is a simplified guide and protocol for sitting in circle you may use in your classrooms.
Tools:
Circle Protocol by Roxanne Ulanicki
“Many First Nations and Inuit groups traditionally used talking circles to build consensus. A consensus is a collectively held opinion. To reach consensus, the group as a whole must agree on a position. Despite the name, traditionally talking circles were not formalized like they are today. This type of discussion process could occur anywhere at any time. The participants did not always form a circle. Talking circles allow time for each participant to speak. They slowed down the pace of discussion and created an atmosphere of respect. Each person had a chance to think about what they wanted to say as well as to listen carefully to others. This open-ended process allowed emotional and spiritual ideas to enter the discussion. Talking circles are still used in some traditional First Nations and Inuit communities today. In many current Aboriginal political organizations, consensus-based decision making remains the standard approach to conflict resolution."
The above excerpt is from a Learn Alberta resource linked below. This is an additional tool valuable for supporting incorporating Circles into the classroom. It includes a rubric which can be a part of formative and summative assessments. **Note: We recommend using this formatively until students have established and grounded themselves in the practice of circle dialogues. This is not a practice every student will be used to. Therefore, using it summatively, especially right away, can alter the nature and engagement of the circle.
Tools:
Page updated
Report abuse