The following questions and responses address many of the issues raised about The Way of Council. These responses are a first draft of an FAQ format the school could use for parents who have questions about this instructional methodology.
FAQs About The Way of Council at Wonderland
What is council at Wonderland?
Council is a program being used in many of our classrooms that encourages deep and honest communication. Based on Native American traditions observed and recorded by Benjamin Franklin, council is a formal, structured dialogue process of sitting in a circle and passing a talking piece in response to a prompt from the facilitator. Franklin hoped this practice would become an integral component of democratic life. Visitors to Independence Hall in Philadelphia can see the Society of Philosophers where Franklin and our forefathers sat in council.
At Wonderland, we teach students the “four intentions” of council:
- speak from the heart without judging oneself,
- listen from the heart without judging others,
- speak spontaneously without planning,
- keep it lean so everyone has time to share their story.
Council is a non-hierarchical form of discussion. Instead of standing at the board delivering instruction, teachers sit with students in the circle. This allows participants to hear each other in a way that is sorely lacking in the traditional school and classroom culture. There’s no fighting for a turn to be heard, there’s no waiting to be called on by the teacher, there’s no right or wrong answer. Council provides a chance for everyone to sit close together on the floor, at the same level, in a calm and peaceful environment.
Why are we using council at Wonderland?
Council is a powerful tool that helps children appreciate the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and stories of their classmates. Regular use of council promotes a classroom culture where children connect meaningfully with peers and adults. Being in council helps students develop attention, concentration, and listening skills; to express themselves fully and appropriately; and to suspend preconceptions. Participating in council has the same benefits for adults in a school community – at staff, committee, teacher/parent, or community meetings.
Council allows participants to practice listening without thinking about a response or a right answer so that we can be better listeners during math class, at the supermarket checkout, or with our families. Participants develop skills for listening actively and demonstrating respect. Council is a welcome break from the typical teacher-led classroom discussion where the teacher talks a lot, and a few children respond. Many children speak about council as one of the most important things that happen at school because they feel that their peers and teachers are really listening to them.
Why do you use bells, centerpieces, and other paraphernalia?
Although effective councils can certainly be held anywhere or anytime two or more people need to speak honestly to each other, a formal classroom council involves some ritual elements to help children separate the time that they are “in council,” and the specific listening and speaking intentions that entails, from the rest of the school day. Creating a beautiful centerpiece with a cloth, flowers, items from nature, or talking pieces children have collected helps give the circle a center and a place to focus attention when not looking at a speaker. Students love to help move furniture or set the room up for a council session. Ringing a bell or gong and listening until the last sound waves stop resonating brings a welcome separation from the noise and activity of classroom life, and reinforces the idea that silence can be valuable. We speak of creating a “container,” a safe space respected by everyone, in which students are free to speak openly or to spend the time they need to express themselves completely.
Does LAUSD endorse council for elementary school students?
LAUSD recognizes the value of council at schools as a character development program, as a conflict resolution program, as a powerful tool for delivering curriculum, and as a vehicle for developing speaking and listening skills, elements of the district’s literacy program. The district has begun offering salary point classes to teachers on using council in classrooms. During the 2006-2007 school year, Wonderland may participate in a district-wide pilot program to disseminate council in the schools.
WestEd (www.wested.org) conducted a survey on council in schools to quantify the program’s effect on social and academic skills. The study found that participating in council predicted a significant increase in GPA across all grade levels, with students gaining approximately one grade point per year. In addition to providing a forum in which to discuss issues facing students, council helped students listen, respect differences, organize their thoughts, think critically, and transition more smoothly into middle and high schools.
What happens during a typical council session?
Of course, the nature of a council session might vary according to the ages of the students, the characteristics of the group, or any issues that may have arisen on the yard, in class, or elsewhere. A typical recent council in the second grade involved everyone sharing a story about a time when they had fun. On another day, students shared how they were feeling or what was on their minds after playing a rhythm game similar to those used by music teachers. Stories ranged from feeling tired to anticipating birthdays to feeling sad about moving away soon. Everyone listened carefully to each other, and the sessions lasted about 40 minutes each.
At other times, fourth grade students might pass the talking piece to share stories about their favorite place at home in order to develop ideas that they will then write up as a personal narrative. Third grade students might be invited to share how they felt about a handball conflict on the yard involving many students. In a recent council dedicated to exploring such a conflict, one student got the talking piece early in the circle and she shared a story about a time years ago when she had been mean to another girl and how badly she feels about it now. Other students shared how badly they felt about being in disagreements with their friends. One student got the piece and shared that after listening to his classmates, he realized that his enthusiasm for handball led him to be more aggressive than other students liked, and he apologized to everyone. Councils can involve games, drums, art, singing, or tossing beanbags.
How have teachers been trained in using council?
Many teachers at Wonderland have used some type of circle share or dialogue format for years. Several years ago, one teacher had observed the impressive communication skills her daughter and her peers had developed through participating a council program at their middle school and a small group of teachers attended training and began using council with their students. Our belief in the importance of having a school-wide tool led us to encourage other teachers to be trained. Nine Wonderland teachers participated in LAUSD salary point trainings offered during two different weekends in the 2004-2005 school year. Three of those teachers have participated in two additional weekend trainings. Dr. Greene, fifteen teachers, our magnet coordinator, and three parents who serve on WASSC, FOW, and PTA attended a weekend council training retreat in December 2005 led by experienced council trainers and specifically designed for Wonderland.
There are many next steps. We hope to participate in further training through the LAUSD pilot program next school year. We also hope to “buddy up” more experienced facilitators with teachers who are newer to this practice, and to put in place a mentoring system so that all teachers can be supported while developing the practice. We also hope to design additional formats that include parents.
Are children permitted to discuss council topics with their families?
Children are encouraged to share council topics and the essence of discussions at home. However, personal experiences shared by class members are private. Part of listening with respect is also honoring others’ privacy, and not telling their stories outside of the council circle. Some teachers are hearing stories of children teaching council to their parents, so that they can use this tool at home, too. We hope that these discussions will continue to develop communication in and between home and school.
To whom should I speak if I have any further questions?
Members of the school’s Council Leadership Team will be happy to speak with you or respond to emails.
Jane Raphael janeraphael@att.net
Kindergarten Teacher
Michael Rosner michaelrosner@comcast.net
3rd Grade Teacher
Julia Wasson deedub111@aol.com
3rd Grade Teacher
Mindy Danna minandpaul@earthlink.net
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