Materials: I-Statement Prompt (3rd-5th) or I-Statement Prompt (6th-8th) ***N0TE: Please be aware that there are different prompts for different grade levels.
Instructions:
1. Based on the CRAMMS lesson by University of Oregon (Conflict Resolution Activities for Middle School Skill-Building), introduce the lesson for the day, Step Circle. Explain to students that today they will be learning about how and why finding common things, experiences, likes/dislikes, realities, etc. between different people (age, race, gender, ethnicity, etc.) is important when developing relationships, building trust and respect, and dealing with conflicts and conflict management.
2. Have the class stand in a large circle. Please move desks out of the way if needed. If you end up moving desks, make sure there is enough time at the end of the visit to reset the classroom before leaving.
3. Inform the class that this is a completely silent activity, and ask them not to comment, laugh, scoff or indicate during the exercise.
4. Instruct the students to listen to the following statements. Ask them to take one step into the circle if they identify with the statement or feel it applies to their life. Ask them to silently step in, pause for 2 seconds to observe and appreciate others who stepped in, and then step silently back into the outer circle.
- – Encourage students to interpret the statements however they like but ask them not to question the statements or seek clarification.
- – Emphasize that stepping in is always voluntary.
5. Read the I-Statements aloud one at a time, pausing between each question for step-ins. Please use the I-Statements provided for your grade band.
6. After completing however many rounds of the activity as you wish, ask students to think about the following questions and open the group for discussion:
- – How did this activity make you feel?What did it make you think?
- – What, if anything, surprised you during this activity?
- – What did this activity make you realize about your classmates?Your mentors? What about yourself?
7. ***NOTE: This lesson may be done as an Icebreaker, or as a full visit. If done as an Icebreaker, take only 5 or 10 minutes to do the Step Circle activity so that your team has time for your other activity. If done as a full lesson, take time before and after the Step Circle activity to engage with the students on why lessons like this are important.
- Start the lesson on asking students how well they think they know their classmates. How about their mentors? Ask them if they think they will learn something from this activity.
- – After the activity, use the questions from step 6 to engage in conversation wrapping up the lesson.
Tips: Tie into the lesson and activity how and why finding common things, experiences, likes/dislikes, realities, etc. between different people (age, race, gender, ethnicity, etc.) is important when developing relationships, building trust and respect, and dealing with conflicts and conflict management.
Download Step Circle – Perception & Conflict Management Lesson here.
