Time
Time may vary
Level
Primary / Junior / Intermediate
Material
An item from home
Purpose
To help students identify important aspects of themselves, to practice sharing pieces of their identity with classmates and to understand the value of uniqueness and diversity
- A few students per day can share something about themselves using a circle approach.
- Students can bring in an item that tells something about themselves to share with the class, they may tell a story or say something they feel happy about, or there can be a theme (favourite songs, what they are grateful for, etc.).
- Ensure all students get a chance to show and share. They can also ‘pass’ if they choose to.
- Model first to set the right tone and length for sharing.
- End each student’s share with a brief positive acknowledgement.
Some classes may wish to use a talking stick.
- This practice can be used to get to know new students or when there is an educator change during the year, to get to know students or vice versa.
Students being known, understood and cared for by educators and peers supports their development of key relationship building skills needed for lifelong social success. These skills begin developing very early in life but are constantly changing and will need to be further developed throughout the school years (Verschueren, Doumen & Buyse, 2012; Bergin & Bergin, 2009).
Bergin, C., & Bergin, D. (2009). Attachment in the classroom. Educational Psychology Review, 21(2), 141-170.
Verschueren, K., Doumen, S., & Buyse, E. (2012). Relationships with mother, teacher, and peers: Unique and joint effects on young children’s self-concept. Attachment & Human Development, 14(3), 233-248.
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