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Post edited 7:43 am – February 8, 2010 by mpalin

…been out of touch…but here are the missing weeks to catch you up, rev you up…or otherwise support and motivate the Tribes TLC process in your world

Week 18 – "Chain Reaction"

Page 224, or, for younger students maybe "Community Circle Metaphor" page 228, with questions pertaining to current events, school issues, relevant academic topics, or on a personal or social/emotional theme.

Be sure to model the "Chain Reaction" so students will have the expectation and demonstration for success and not silliness!

And, don't forget to REFLECT. Suggested questions are in your Tribes book.

Week 19 – It's about this time of year that you need some fresh new ways to group your students, before they convince you to let them" just sit with our friends, OK?"

Here are some ideas for grouping students, RANDOMLY, on the spot:

Pairs: different hair length, alphabetical (first name, last name, last letter of first name, etc.), Line-up and pair off, Milling to Music, clothing color, bus number (must be same/different/add up to something. etc.), use playing cards (or color cards, or math cards, or math facts flash cards), post-it notes on desks, shoe styles, family status (oldest, youngest, only)

Groups larger than two: many “pairs” grouping strategies can be extended for larger groups, or, combine pairs for a group of four, group all according to similarities or differences in clothing style or color or shoes, etc. If you are really feeling creative, design a card that has a variety of shapes, numbers, pictures, letters, symbols…and use the card over and over to group students in various configurations. You need a logical mathematical intelligence to figure this out! Please share any other grouping strategies you have used successfully.

Week 20 – Where do I Stand? (all about metaphor)

This strategy is for any/all ages. The trick is in the questions you design…
Do one to three rounds.
Address pertinent topics…playground behavior, homework, current events, etc.
Here are some samples:
What are you like when you are on the playground? Dog – Cat – Bird – Mouse
Doing homework is like being a…Doctor – Plumber – Waiter (Waitress) – Detective
The president feels like a … Tennis ball – Frisbee – Slinky – Yo-yo
While you are REFLECTing, ask students to come up with some new categories or questions to do again sometime.

Week 21 – The Survey Says…(not in book)

Make up a little survey for your students to fill out about YOU! This can be enlightening, empowering, and (don't worry!) very affirming.
I suggest three to four questions:
What is something I do in class that you really like?
What is something I can do better, or do more often?
What is something you wish I would STOP doing? (homework doesn't count!)
How well do I model the agreements? (explain?)
The REFLECTION is inherent, but also in you sharing the results with the class after you read all the surveys.