Forum

Mystery person – choose a student in your class that will be the "mystery person" and then make sure to acknowledge all the positive achievements, behavior, and communications you observe.  "The mystery person just earned us an extra minute of recess….I like the way the mystery person is listening attentively…"  This can be a great classroom management technique.

Be sure to reflect and beware of blurt-outs …. "I know who the mystery person is!"  Maybe have a place where students can write the name of the mystery person.  And don't wear it out – a mystery person once a week or two…or whenever needed for postive reinforcement, inclusion, or influence of those particular students.

Suggestion Circle – Choose something you would like to see changed in the classroom, on the playground, etc. and let the students make the suggestions for change.  Lots of opportunities for reflection here…about how difficult change really can be, about making a plan, about involving all concerned, etc.  I recommend making an Action Plan to go with "suggestion circle".  This whole process can be done over a period of days – a few minutes each day.  Day 1 the problem…Day 2 the suggestions for change…Day 3 improvements or more suggestions…Day 4 vote…Day 5 action plan.

Reflect on the process and the decisions that evolved from the process.