SearchTribes on the go…
Come November and December, time seems to disappear and the list of things to accomplish grows exponentially…
Here are some quick, effective, and thematic Tribes strategies that will keep your momentum without impacting your schedule.
I’m thankful for…
“I’m thankful for…” a reflection done in community circle, or at the end of the day, or on a slip of paper dropped in a can to be read later, or a transition to line up for recess.
That’s ME!…
The always useful “That’s ME!…” with reflection questions designed for content (see Learning Experiences on this site) or to begin your Monday mornings, with questions designed to share the weekend and/or communicate frame of mind.
Slip Game (see page 334 in your Tribes Learning Communities book)
Reflecting with some specific learning content questions, as well as some appropriate time of year topics. Once the questions are made (ask your students to help with this by giving each a slip of paper to write a good question), store the slip questions in a can to pull out and use a few at a time during transitions, as writing prompts, in community circle, for centers, or at the end of the day.
Thumbs Up…and 1-2-3 (see page 355 and 293 in your Tribes Learning Communities book)
Have a little reflective moment and use questions that are content rich or questions that pertain to classroom management or group development process. Here’s is an example of how to integrate the strategies and content and behavior:
Thumbs up if you can explain what {content} “the difference between smooth and rough is”…”what [characters from the story] have in common”…”the factors of 24″…
Would you rather… (1) write 3 example test questions and exchange with another student and answer, (2) work on a study guide, or (3) develop a summary paragraph
Thumbs up if you gave more statements of appreciation or encouragement than bossy directions on the playground at recess today
When you are in the halls are you (1) the same responsible student you can be in this class, (2) someone your parent[s] would be concerned about, (3) a ‘micro-manager’
Five Tribbles (see page 246 in your Tribes Learning Communities book)
Have these ready for any reflection, or create your own, with appropriate characters. Use for content or personal reflection.
Something Good (see page 337 in your Tribes Learning Communities book)
Reflecting in community circle, or at the end of the day, or on a slip of paper as an informal survey [what is something good about the way we do things in this classroom…about the way I teach…about the way we treat each other…] remember, this is always good to use on those not-so-good days or moments; end on the positive.
