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I am looking forward to having students be able to share their feelings in a safe environment.

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I think this a skill lost on a lot of people - adults included.  Imperative that we teach them young.
(Diane Y - not sure why my name isn't showing up)

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I like that this lesson focuses on active listening. It explains what empathy is and what it looks like. The lesson also gives different scenarios where students can discuss what empathy should look like in those situations. - M. LaMantia

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When I first think of the circle idea, it reminds me of support group meetings. They are always done in circles. It signifies a lot. Everyones hearts centers are facing each other. It is a safe space for participants. The name story idea is beautiful. Everyone has a story to share about their name. It gives the students the ability to share a funny or heartwarming story and be proud of their name. Even if a child doesn't like their name it gives them a chance to verbalize it and maybe share what they would have chosen :)

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How will related service providers be included in SEL lessons?

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I'm looking forward to doing the Community Cricles. I did a trial and error last year and I found students to feel really empowered. I would like to do more of it next year and have deeper conversations.

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I am looking forward to circle 3 on values. I think this will really set the tone for the group and provide that sense of community and safety to the students. I also love The Day You Begin story!

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Introduction to Community Circles- "Story of my Name" and "Listening for Understanding"

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Introduction to Community Circles- "Story of my Name" and "Listening for Understanding"

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I look forward to using this activity and connecting it to the diversity component of Unit One.  Students are able to choose their first, last, or even nickname- whatever they feel comfortable sharing.  It allows students the opportunity to introduce themselves and give us some insight to who they are. Having participated in this activity for professional development, it made me realize the type of listener I am. When I engaged in a conversation with a colleague, I was prone to think of what I wanted to say next as opposed to actually listening. I believe this activity will help build self-awareness for students and help them understand what it means to truly listen to someone when they speak.

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I am looking forward to the circle entitled “Who Are We?” I think it’s important for students to reflect on who they are, decide what they are most proud of, decide what would surprise people and what they’d like to work on. I think this activity is a great way for students to better understand their peers in a low stakes way. Teaching self-reflection is an important and challenging.

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Will there be a period devoted to SEL?

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I am most excited to have the time dedicated to hosting a Circle.

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Love the message of  "The Day You Begin"

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I am looking forward to reading The Day You Begin. I think it's a great book that many if not all students will be able to relate to at some point in their life. I love how it celebrates differences and teaches students to be proud of who they are and their story.

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I am looking forward to going through the Nearpod of Cooperating with Others - I believe students sometimes need a model of how to work effectively with others.

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I am looking forward to the "Who We Are" Community Circle. I think it was benefit us when establishing a sense of community. /it will give the students a feeling of belonging to the larger group.

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I love creating that classroom community in the beginning of the year.  The poem is a cute way to do this.  It also emphasizes the notion that school should be a safe place.

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Circles ~ mindfulness piece  where we just hear sound 

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Circles ~ mindfulness piece  where we just hear sound 

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Ditto Diane R.

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Building on last year's Nearpod experience, i hope we have more time to truly dedicate to this. It felt very rushed before and very out of context at times. Also, will we have the same group of kids each session? It is important to have multiple opportunities with the same kids to build trust and build upon the previous time. With different groups of kids and no follow-up it felt isolated and super out of context for me personally.

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Establishing circle guidelines is key.

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Will Marta be available to help set up circles?

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I am looking forward to teaching the Community Agreements as it creates ownership for the students and Values as it will show trust in the “safe” community (classroom) environment

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I am looking forward to the Nearpod lesson on support circles in order for students to build a sense of community with everyone at Jackson.

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Are all lessons taking place in the classroom?

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I am looking forward to creating a community where the students feel welcomed and supported.

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I am looking forward to creating a community where the students feel welcomed and supported.

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Will this SEL curriculum be embedded throughout all year? Or just for the first few units as the students adjust to school?

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Would it take place in the morning at the beginning of the day?

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Would it take place in the morning at the beginning of the day?

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Will both grades be doing the same lessons? Will we need new ones the following year in 4th?

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Will there be an opportunity for students to reflect on what they’ve learned in relation to the school community as a whole?

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I really like the All Are Welcome book. The drawings are colorful and depict how no two people are alike in terms of cultural differences, skin color, hair, etc. but all are welcome.
And I have loved the circles since I participated in the PDs about them. They have given many students a voice and have allowed them to speak freely without judgement.

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Is this going to be conected to Jackson Jewels

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The first lesson of establishing circles. I think it's a great way to set up a classroom culture that supports ALL students.

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As support staff, what will my role be in these lessons?

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I think the respecting others is extremely important. It allows everyone to be open-minded and accepting of others.

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I'm excited to teach the Story of Your Name.  I've done a project like this using the book Me llamo Yoon (My Name is Yoon) and the kids love to ask their parents about their name and then present it to their classmates.

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Same question about how support staff will be included

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I think this is an important lesson for both students and teachers.

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Will this take place during the ELA block?

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I am looking forward to teaching the “Stand -Up and Applaud” part of the circle. It allows the students to learn about each other. How they may be alike and how they may be different. It sets the stage for them to see themselves as part of a community where everyone is important and has a voice.

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I am looking foward to reading this text because it emphasizes a learning community and how no matter who we are and where we are from, we are all welcome into the classroom to learn and grow together. This is essential to providing students with a place of comfort and respect.
-GPrincipato

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I have the same clarifying question as Laura and Jackie, will we devote a class period to this lesson?

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Jodi Helming-
I am looking forward to sharing the book The Day You Begin because it speaks to a feeling and to an experience to which so many children can relate.  This will likely lead to an honest discussion and make the children develop empathy and a better understanding of one another.

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Same question as Megan! Will 3rd and 4th be doing the same lessons?

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Same Idea as Nicole... As the orchestra teacher, what will my role be in this. Possibly facilitating a circle in my rotation of lessons?

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Suzanne is looking forward to Circles, getting to know the kids names and using our PE virtues 

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Suzanne is looking forward to Circles, getting to know the kids names and using our PE virtues 

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I am looking forward to teaching who are we? I think it will help teach the children the importance of listening and taking turns in a safe environment.

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I loved the read aloud "The Day You Begin" however as a special it would be hard to know what teachers used it as a resource already?  How do specials not be monontonus if activities are being done in the classroom?

I am excited to do more of this work, Circle reminde me of the great benefits of my small group and the honest shares we had aroud a table. I do feel smaller groups lend to creating trust. Also in our yoga groups we often started in a restoritive circle with a "roses and thorns" activity.

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I am looking forward to implementing the Building a Classroom Community circle. Establishing the class as a unit is very important from day one. It allows for everybody to maintain their individuality, while still being a part of something bigger.

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I look foreword to the circles, and I love the read aloud!

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I look foreword to the circles, and I love the read aloud!

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Jen W

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Dawn McEntee : I am excited to do community circles and read the story The Day We Begin!

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Dawn McEntee : I am excited to do community circles and read the story The Day We Begin!

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Kim Morrissey                             I am looking forward to Circles. Including a community circle in the classroom gives students a chance to be seen, heard, and feel connected. I love the student choice and the reflection piece.

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Kim Morrissey                             I am looking forward to Circles. Including a community circle in the classroom gives students a chance to be seen, heard, and feel connected. I love the student choice and the reflection piece.

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What is the best way to have a full class circle if we are in Distance Learning mode?

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I should have added....I am very excited about this hence my desire to truly connect with a group and continue the conversations during subsequent sessions. I miss connecting with a smaller group of kids when you are a special area teacher !

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Jodi Helming-
How will we assess the impact that using this SEL curriculum has had on our students?

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Will these lessons only be done in the students classroom or will specials be conducting them to?

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I am excited to teach the first circle lesson because it is going to create opportunities for students to share about who they are and how they want to be represented.

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I am excited to teach the community circles I did not do last year like the one about values.  Community Circle was a really valuable time last year and I am looking forward to doing more of it!

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Is Sept's week one the first week of school or the first full week of school?  Also not a question, but a comment.

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I LOVE the idea that students will be learn active listening and have a safe place to express their feelings and opinions without others trying to prove them wrong or argue with them. I like that a student can be a “keeper” or facilitator.

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maybe going forward third grade should do more of the circles in the Circle Forward book because they seem to be more introductory and more simple.  Fourth could do more of the longer circles from the other book.

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Where will these circles take place?

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I'm looking foward to use the read-aloud with the Nearpods to reinforce the concepts of SEL.
Dámaris

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I am looking forward to conducting my first circle and listening to and allowing each participant to speak!
- Robin

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Could we have an intro model/video/Nearpod of how a Support looks like, the norms, and purpose for students to view?

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I have used drum circles from the Native American tradition in my music class.  I look forward to incorporating this technique as well.
- Angela

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I am hoping that I will be able to implement circles with my groups or participate in them with the classroom teachers that I work with. It’s a safe way for all the students to get to know each other and share their feelings knowing they will be respected. I love the no interrupting, nurturing reflection and unhurried expression of thoughts and opinions. I also like the centerpiece to assist students in sharing something special that represents who they are.

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Some teachers mentioned it was manageable to run a whole group community circle with 2 teachers. If we are teaching these lessons in distance learning, would it be possible to team up with support staff to conduct the circles?

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Wondering how this will be set up when support staff works with several different teachers at different times during the day. Will I stay with one class for this activity? Will I have a separate group for each race level with the kids I teach? How large a group do they recommend? 

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Wondering how this will be set up when support staff works with several different teachers at different times during the day. Will I stay with one class for this activity? Will I have a separate group for each race level with the kids I teach? How large a group do they recommend? 