Had our first Community Circle of the year. Normally we do it on the first Friday of each month, which is next Friday, but I switched days–for a couple of reasons. One, selfishly, I was tired, and as I looked at my long list of writing conferences ahead of me, I knew I was not in the right frame of mind to give it my all. Two, instinctively, I knew it was time to deepen our community connections. So, we did.

Community Circle is basically Smiles and Frowns on steroids. Instead of only sharing a Smile and/or Frown, we share things in response to various prompts, ranging from the candy we like to the last time we cried and all points between. Same guidelines as Smiles and Frowns, and of course kids may pass. I did Community Circle for years before I started with the daily Smiles and Frowns. In their own ways, both are powerful community building activities. With CC, I find we learn more about each other, creating stronger connections. The kids love it, many of them sharing their appreciation of going beyond Smiles and Frowns, specifically pointing to the value of more serious prompts.

And so, for roughly an hour, we learn each other–the most important “content” in the room. Daily Smiles and Frowns and a monthly Community Circle are the perfect ingredients to building and sustaining a classroom community. Two of the best things I have ever done.

Today’s Trail

Along today’s trail we will experience…

…reconnecting through Smiles and Frowns.

…growing with grammar.

…the art of diary writing as narrative.

…responding to feedback.

…reflecting in our Journey Journals.

…hearing a Sappy Sy Rhyme.

Happy Monday, all.

Do. Reflect. Do Better.