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Circle Time Solutions is happening all over Australia. The Calwell Cluster in the ACT have developed their own CIrcle TIme resource booklet for mixers and energisers. You can download this wonderful resource here
The next circle time training sessions is being held in Sydney on Thursday October 15th
This will be immediately followed by a two-day Trainer course which will enable participants to introduce, support and sustain Circle Time in schools, including facilitating staff training, Friday and Saturday 16th and 17th October
It is essential that participants in Trainer courses have attended an Introductory day run by Sue Roffey Associates, Circlespeak or Inyahead. is For further details, contact Sue
The next Circle Solutions introductory training session in Adelaide is being held on Thursday July 15th. This is being organised by Pearson Professional Development. Contact Sharon Kuring here
This introductory day is being followed by the same two-day Trainer course. This time run by Hansberry Educational Consulting
WHAT ARE CIRCLE TIME SOLUTIONS ?
Circle Solutions is a democratic and creative approach used to consider a wide range of issues affecting the whole school community. The strength of circles is that they address values, attitudes and skills within a structured, safe and supportive framework. This is a development of Circle Time in that it uses a strengths and solutions focused approach to make it a safe and positive experience for both students and teachers. Evaluation of circle solutions indicates that it can have a significant impact on:
- Promoting positive behaviour
- Preventing and addressing bullying
- Clarifying rules and expectations
- Defining values
- Developing emotional and social understanding and skills
- Developing a supportive class /school ethos
- Sharing and taking responsibility
- Fostering belonging
- Supporting inclusion
- Conflict resolution / management
- Developing good communication
- Creating and developing trust
- Celebrations!
THE PROCESSES OF CIRCLE TIME ARE INTENDED TO:
- Promote the value of both individuals and the group
- Not allow individuals to put each other down
- Focus on problem solving issues not blaming individuals
- Focus on the positive rather than the negative
- Emphasise solutions
- Give everyone a turn to contribute
- Emphasise equal value of all contributions
- Promote inclusion
- Not insist on participation but give second chances
- Allow for mistakes
- Give time for reflection
RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPMENT IS CENTRAL: ACTIVITIES PROMOTE
- Sharing of experiences
- Practising communication skills, especially listening
- Promoting understanding of each other
- Empathy building
- Giving a language and a space for feelings
- Collaboration and co-operation
- Breaking down prejudice
- Developing understanding of abstract ideas such as kindness, tolerance, support
- Having fun together
In classrooms it is essential that the teacher is a facilitator and participant in Circle Time, not a controller. This encourages students to develop their own solutions.
Circle Time for Emotional Literacy has all you need to know to begin Circle Time in your class and has many new ideas for experienced practitioners. You can order this directly from Footprint Books or request an order form giving you a 15% discount.
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