Voices From Here

Circle discussions are a tool for cultivating community and fostering meaningful conversations in the classroom. All discussion questions in this learning tool may be addressed in circle. In this structure, students sit in a circular formation and respond to open-ended questions (usually, but not necessarily, in a sequential manner). A ccommodations for Special Education, ELL, and ESL students are included under the appropriate sections and identified as “Modification.” The activities in this guide require listening comprehension skills. While viewing the interviews with ELL students, enable subtitles or provide copies of the interview transcripts. Transcripts are available on The Canadian Encyclopedia — search by interviewee name to locate the proper article. These resources are used throughout the guide to support classroom activities. We encourage you to look for additional resources, online and in print. • Watch the Voices from Here videos at youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiE7YBxN9zmKXi2dz8Nt4NEPGOrTk1DY- • The Canadian Encyclopedia: Interview transcripts and articles from The Canadian Encyclopedia mentioned in this guide can be found at thecanadianencyclopedia.ca Search for relevant interviews and articles by title. • All worksheets mentioned in this guide can be downloaded from the Historica Canada Education Portal at education.historicacanada.ca/en/tools/683 • Truth and Reconciliation Commission Reports: nctr.ca/records/reports • Map of Territories, Languages, and Treaties: native-land.ca • Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada: indigenouspeoplesatlasofcanada.ca • National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation: nctr.ca • Legacy of Hope Foundation: legacyofhope.ca/education TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE CIRCLE DISCUSSIONS CIRCLE DISCUSSION STRATEGY NOTE ON ACCESSIBILITY ONLINE RESOURCES Reframing the questions to elicit one-word or single-sentence responses (but avoid yes/no) Simplifying question formats Printing questions on a board and allowing students to use devices to translate Using simple language and avoiding idioms and slang Building the responses into the question (e.g., “What is your favourite season — spring, summer, fall, or winter?”) MODIFICATION: If you have English- language learners in your class, you can still facilitate circle discussions by: • Begin with at least one low-risk question (e.g., what is your first impression of the interview?). • Choose an object that signifies whose turn it is to speak. • Ensure that all students understand that they have the right to pass if they don’t want to speak, and the right to repeat or agree with a previously given response. • Model and coach active listening skills among students. • Participate with students — circle discussions function best when all members of the classroom community participate as equals. • Include some broad questions (e.g., What surprised you? What questions do you have? What do you know about the topics raised?). • Encourage students to raise their own questions and answer one another’s questions. 3