Our first Golden Time took place on Friday. Children were able to take part in a variety of activities: computer, visual art, free time, computer 3D models and dance. Some children lost 10 minutes of Golden Time and others 20 minutes and they did not like it! They will be working hard this week to manage their behaviour so that this does not happen again. Well done to the 19 children who had a great time choosing to do the fun things offered.
Circle time helps to enhance self esteem, self discipline and positive relationships. It is about hearing the voice of the children.
The structure of this programme follows:
Step 1 Meeting Up Game
This pulls the group together, provides a sense of fun and enjoyment, teaches learning skills, moral values and codes of conduct.
Step 2: Warm Up Round
Gives every body a chance to speak. A speaking object is used and only the person holding it can speak. A scripted sentence stem is used, eg, I find it easiest to work in class when…
Step 3: Open Up Forum
Open, free discussion following the round. This can be used for a range of personal, social and citizenship issues, eg, Is there anyone who wants some help with their behaviour? Pupils need to raise their hands before speaking, speak one at a time and listen to each other.
Pupils say ‘I need help because…’, Would it help if I…?’, Would it help if you…’
There is a summary and target setting.
Step 4: Cheering Up and Celebrating Success
This part of the circle time is a time to notice and say ‘thank you’ for kind acts and comment positively through praise. Praise can be pupil-to-pupil, pupil-to-adult, or adult-to-pupil.
Step 5: Calming Down/Closing Ritual
This gives a sense of closure and bridges into the next part of the school day
It is hoped that through circle time the children will develop the 5 skills of listening, speaking, looking, thinking and concentrating. Six classroom skills called the Golden Rules provide the foundation of the class dynamics. This programme also uses a privilege system where those children who have followed the Golden Rules are rewarded on a Friday with 35 minutes of special time such as baking, art and craft, gardening, computer, lego, sport etc.
If classroom rules are not followed the children will be given a chance to say what rule they have broken and will be given a warning and next time will loose 5 minutes of Golden Time. This time can be earned back by forming a contract with the child and will be in the form of a ‘Tiny Achievable Tickable Target’ card. At the end of each term all the children who did not miss any ‘Golden Time’ will be awarded a special certificate to congratulate them for keeping the Golden Rules.
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