What is a listening circle?

What is a listening circle?

Listening circles give people a chance to say what they are thinking and feeling and can help engender mutual understanding and support among people in stressful times. The format is simple. Position students in a circle (or, if your gathering is virtual, post a list of participants that will constitute your circle).

How can Circles be beneficial to students?

Every participant in the Circle is an equal; there is no voice more important than another. They build empathy. Students in Circles listen to the perspectives of others and grow their capacity to be empathetic. Students feel safe to be vulnerable, and share aspects of their lives in a judgment free setting.

How do you ensure students are listening?

Say What? 5 Ways to Get Students to Listen

1. Strategy #1: Say it Once. Repeating ourselves in the classroom will produce lazy listening in our students.
2. Strategy #2: Turn and Talk.
3. Strategy #3: Student Hand Signals.
4. Strategy #4: Pay Attention, Pause, Paraphrase.
5. Strategy #5: Creating Questions.
6. Motivating Words.

How would you implement circle sharing in the classroom?

As a listening educator, here are four ways that you can leverage circles.

1. Set the Tone. When opening a circle in your classroom, you hold a lot of power to set a safe, open tone for sharing.
2. Plan Your Prompts.
3. Mirror and Affirm.
4. Log Your Listening.

What is a healing circle?

Healing circles are often called hocokah in the Lakota language, which means a sacred circle and is also the word for altar. The hocokah consists of people who sit together in a talking circle, in prayer, in ceremony, and are committed to helping one another and to each other’s healing.

How do you introduce a circle to students?

Introduction. Before you begin your circle, give a clear, simple and honest explanation, using your own words, about why the class will be meeting in circles. If you are completely transparent about the purpose and goals the students will be more likely to trust the circle.

What is the circle strategy?

The idea is to communicate, chat, play games, and interact in a way that will get you voted as an influencer. Each episode, the two people who received the highest rankings become influencers and vote together to block someone from the game. That person is eliminated and someone new takes their place.

What are the 5 listening strategies?

There are five key techniques you can use to develop your active listening skills:

• Pay attention.
• Show that you’re listening.
• Provide feedback.
• Defer judgment.
• Respond appropriately.

What are the four types of listening?

4 Types of Listening

• Deep Listening. Deep listening occurs when you’re committed to understanding the speaker’s perspective.
• Full Listening. Full listening involves paying close and careful attention to what the speaker is conveying.
• Critical Listening.
• Therapeutic Listening.

How are circles used in the classroom?

Setting Up a Circle

1. Speak from the heart (only with the talking piece, authentic contributions);
2. Listen from the heart (without judgment, with compassion);
3. Speak spontaneously (spend time listening, not thinking about what you’re going to say);
4. Speak leanly (especially important with big groups); and.

What is a sharing circle for kids?

We are referring to “talking or sharing circles” – bringing youth together in a circle and asking each individual to speak while the rest of the group practices active listening. In youth programs, these circle meetings are often called “sharing circles” or “community circles”.

With roots in indigenous cultures around the world, listening circles provide people an opportunity to speak and listen to each other in an atmosphere of safety, decorum and equality. Listening circles emphasize storytelling for cultivating empathy.

How can I use a listening circle to enhance classroom culture?

To enhance classroom culture, use a listening circle to build respect, deepen trust, and share humor. Prompt your students thoughtfully, and record your observations afterward.

What are the benefits of circles in the classroom?

Used with intention, circles shape a listening culture where students practice giving attention to each other and “saying just enough” — two essential skills for healthy relationships. For educators, this ritual keeps our finger on the pulse of student needs while helping us to orchestrate a safe, caring group dynamic.

What are community circles?

Community circles are a simple instructional routine that can transform your classroom. Used with intention, circles shape a listening culture where students practice giving attention to each other and “saying just enough” — two essential skills for healthy relationships.