The Social Curriculum

As you know from the letter I sent home last Friday, Open Circle has begun! This year, I am co-teaching the lessons with Dr. Mary Schaefer, the school psychologist.  Mary and I have been working together for years, and we often consult around the topic of establishing a positive, productive and caring classroom culture. We are currently on Lesson #4, nonnegotiable rules. The class established the following "nonnegotiables" or rules that never change: Raise your hand~one voice at a time; don't talk when others are talking; Safe bodies. Impressively, the children have already begun using this language with each other and applying it to all class meetings. If you ever happen by during an Open Circle lesson, you are more than welcome to join us. There is always an "open chair" waiting to be filled!