As I spend more time in classrooms, I have been able to employ some techniques to help increase student participation. I have truly begun to see the value in talking circles. Creating a safe place where sharing is encouraged, but not mandatory, helps to build classroom community. No student judges the other for sharing or for not sharing. Behaviour is, for the most part, respectful and kind. When holding talking circles in a classroom, I think it is extremely important to have a zero tolerance policy for silly behaviour. Not only is it a meaningful, safe space in the classroom, but a very serious and valued cultural practice for many. Talking circles are one way to authentically bring Aboriginal ways of knowing into the classroom.

From my observations so far, talking circles have been well received. Students have generally been respectful and, for the most part, participation has increased. I think it is important to “mix up” the content of a talking circle.  Not every circle needs to centre around reflective and serious content. Using talking circles to share thoughts about lighter topics, such as “What was your favourite part of our field trip?”, helps keep the circles a positive, friendly space. Less intimidating questions will most likely illicit more overall group participation as well.

My biggest hope that has formed from using talking circles is the hope that the positive behaviour that happens in the circles will begin to trickle out to other areas of the classroom. The talking circles demand good listening skills, which is extremely important in other classroom environments as well. They are also safe spaces that are free of judgement. Once a teacher has established the guidelines of the talking circle – I recently decided to avoid calling them rules to help keep a positive tone – the teacher can begin to emphasize the importance of the behaviour demonstrated within the circle. Connecting this behaviour to other areas of the classroom, such as when the teacher is at the front of the class or a peer is sharing a recent journal entry, could help to extend the skills that the circles employ. I am looking forward to learning from future circles with future students and exploring how they influence classroom dynamics, environment, and, of course, participation.