| Tanenbaum Curriculum | Religions In My Neighborhood, p. 35 |
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| Lesson Name | Creating a Caring Classroom Community (Grades 3-8) |
| Grade Band |
Elementary (Grades 3-5) Middle School (Grades 6-8) |
| Required Materials |
– Markers – Cardstock or large index cards – Talking piece (e.g., a stick or object representing the group) – Battery-operated candles – Bell |
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| Standards / Competencies |
CASEL Core Competencies
ELA Standards
Social Studies Themes:
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| Recommended Time | 45 minutes |
| Essential Question | Why is it important to create a caring classroom community? |
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| Learning Objectives |
1. Understand the purpose of a talking piece 2. Learn how to participate in a community building circle 3. Identify how they wish to be treated by peers in the classroom |
| Important Vocabulary |
– Talking piece – Community building circle – Centerpiece – Respect |
| Activating Prior Knowledge | With students sitting in the circle, explain that they will learn the circle process and its significance. Discuss the purpose of the centerpiece and talking piece, and how they facilitate respectful communication. Conduct a sample opening ceremony to set the tone for the circle. |
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| Core Instruction |
1. Conduct the opening ceremony. 2. Explain that the goal of the circle is to establish behaviors and beliefs for creating a caring classroom community. 3. Have students think of a person who cares about them and write a word or behavior that makes them feel cared for on their card. 4. Go around the circle with each student sharing their word and placing it on the centerpiece. 5. Read aloud the words on the centerpiece and thank everyone for their contributions. |
| Wrap-up | Conduct a closing ceremony as decided beforehand (e.g., setting the talking piece down, ringing the bell, turning off the candles). |
| Assessment |
Thumbs Up/Down/Sideways: Use a quick thumbs-up/down/sideways assessment to gauge students’ understanding of the core concepts. Explain to students that thumbs up means a confident ‘yes’. Thumbs down is a definite ‘no’, and thumbs sideways means they are somewhere in between. Students, preferably with eyes closed, are to use their thumb to reflect their level of comprehension. Ask: “Can you remember the purpose of the talking piece?” “Do you understand what the centerpiece represents? “Do you know why having a caring class community is important?” If time allows, have students with varying levels of comprehension explain their response and ask any clarifying questions. |
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| Supplementary Resources |
– Handout 1: Common Circle Values – Handout 2: Common Circle Guidelines |
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Download this lesson to access handouts.