Tribes, How it Works

Tribes is a step-by-step process to achieve specific learning goals. Four agreements are honored:

• attentive listening
• appreciation/no put downs
• mutual respect, and
• the right to pass.

Students learn a set of collaborative skills so they can work well together in long-term groups (tribes). The focus is on how to:

• help each other work on tasks
• set goals and solve problems
• monitor and assess progress
• celebrate achievements.

The learning of academic material and self-responsible behavior is assured because teachers utilize methods based upon brain-compatible learning, multiple intelligences, cooperative learning and social development research. The teachers and administrators in a Tribes school or district also work together in supportive groups. They too enjoy the participatory democratic process and creative collegiality.