Tribes

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Home : 2004 : August : 9

Tribes
By Therese Claypool

I have used Tribes for the last 8 years of my teaching and I love it!!! Commit to doing a community circle everyday. In the beginning of the year, I involve them in many inclusion activities. This builds the community,
on the tribes trial there are three parts inclusion, influence and then community. I usually put my kids in tribes after 80% of my class has passed the influence stage. You will know when your in this stage because they start arguing with each other and this is when you have to guide them through a problem solving stage to appreciate their difference of opinion. This is trying in times

but what a life long skill they will learn. My class knows about the goal of getting into tribes at the beginning of the year, before this I have them in learning clubs.
To answer you question about how long it takes, this depends on the class. Some of my classes were ready in November, while others were not ready until March or even April.
Just remember to commit to Community Circle, Use the Tribe agreements of Active listening, No PutDowns, Appreciations, and Right to pass or participate during all your activities. Walk the talk. I have had some of my former students from high school come back and still talk about the tribes they were in and how they still keep in contact with there tribe members. How neat!