Naming Our Gifts
Kindergarten teacher Jane Raphael created this council based on Tomi dePaola's classic books, Legend of the Indian Paintbrush
Valentine's Day Council - Who Loves You? How do you Know?
This council helps students articulate their feelings about love, a surprisingly abstract concept, and recognize sources in their lives where they give and receive love. Includes one session
Preparing for Parent Conferences - Including Students in the Meeting
This council prepares students to take a meaningful role discussing progress and challenges in their parent conferences.
Tale of the Stream
This lesson plan begins with the an old Sufi story - "The Tale of the Stream." This Council lesson plan can be linked to Science: the water cycle, Language Arts: metaphor, narrative, poetry;
Setting New Intentions and Affirmations - Falling Leaves
The changing of the seasons, or the beginning of a new year, is a good opportunity to explore how we also can change ourselves. In particular, autumn provides colorful inspiration.
Eliseo's Gift by Joe Provisor, Palms Middle School
I remember an eighth grade group I would have deemed “not ready for council.” I had done poetry councils with my students for many years, but 1994 was the first year the program moved into all eighth grade language arts classes. Students were learning how to be in councils that focused strictly on the listening and speaking standards in the curriculum. And we teachers were learning how to navigate the territory between classroom teacher and council facilitator.
