Ground Rules for Teachers delivering Quality Circle Time sessions and Children participating in Quality Circle Time Sessions
Thu, Jan 1st 1970
We have put together the following guidelines for delivering Quality Circle Time in the classroom. These ideas are distilled from the books and articles that Jenny Mosley has written:
Teachers and Children need to agree:
- We listen well to everyone – we don’t interrupt.
- We respect all contributions – we never name anyone negatively.
- We signal if we wish to speak.
- We follow the Golden Rules at all times – and practice them in Circle Time.
- We take personal issues quietly to the teacher if they cannot be covered in Circle Time.
It would help if staff:
- they have been fully trained to take circle time sessions.
- feel equipped with the aims, objectives, themes, activities, resources and ground rules for holding Circle Time sessions.
- know how to use the two other listening systems where more sensitive issues may be raised – ‘Bubble Time’ and ‘Think Books’.
- do not raise sensitive issues on behalf of a child without a full discussion and without their consent. Parents should be referred to where appropriate to ensure safety for the child.
- ensure their class or group is ready for Circle Time in that they know how to sit and listen, to contribute calmly and that they are fully aware of, and capable of following, the ground rules for Circle Time.
- join in as facilitators – at the same level as the children.
- know the five steps – so they can maintain a brisk and safe pace. The last two steps enable children to leave the room in a positive mood.
- be sure before step 3 can be used all the ground rules need to be embedded and emotional content retained for another time.
- have prepared a circle time session plan with extra fun games should it not go well.
- do not bring up subjects (or only raise issues with caution) that may be painful or sensitive to certain children within their class.
- feel calm before starting a session and use a low and calm voice.
- accept any contribution gracefully and value all opinions.
- do not interrupt a child if they are using the speaking object to speak.
- follow the ground rules alongside the children.
Health "Health" Warning
“Some classes are not ready for Circle Time” (More Quality Circle Time by Jenny Mosley 1998).
Circle Time is not to be used as a ‘Quick Fix’ for class problems. Low-level disruption, tiredness, stress and a lack of effective and consistent behaviour policies mean that many teachers find that they are not yet ready for Circle Time. It is important that the whole school Quality Circle Time model is in place to support Circle Time meetings. If this is not yet the case, it may be better to concentrate initially on the Golden Rules, Safety Routines, Golden Time and for the teacher to seek training and support. You are then developing a tried and tested incentives, sanctions and listening systems which will give you a safer context within which to introduce Circle Time.
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