Kelly Murray

SOST 200

April 30, 2007

Talking Circle

I.                    Individual Development and Identity

4.      The vital role the process of achieving harmony and balance and the American Indian value system play in American Indian value system play in American Indian philosophy and in the daily lives of American Indians.

II.                 The students will be able to explain the process of the “talking circle” and its importance in American Indians process of achieving harmony.

III.               The students will be to identify the factors that constitute the “talking circle” and express the importance of this tradition by performing a mock “talking circle” and a reflective essay of the experience.

IV.              History, Sociology

V.                 Lesson will last 1 day:

·        Advanced Organizer:  To begin the class I will write down,

o       “Ways to discuss and debate” on the board

o       I will then ask the class to think of different approaches

o       After, concluding the list we will advance with a new question:

§         “What makes a group discussion or debate successful?”

§         Wait time

§         Have them add ideas such as…

-         Trust

-         Listening skills

-         Patience

-         Etc.

·        Relate Advanced Organizer to American Indian’s development and identity:

o       Approach to discussion

o       Process of achieving harmony and balance

o       Talking Circle

·        Talking Circle

o       Define:

§         Talking Circle is used to discuss a topic in a respectful/non-confrontational manner.

§         Group members sit in a circle and use rules:

-         Only person holding talking stick can talk

-         Respect

-         Talking stick passes around the circle

-         Everyone gets a chance to talk

o       You can speak or silently pass the stick on

-         No interruptions

-         Stick is passed until everyone has nothing left to say and passes the stick in silence

·        Class “Talking Circle”

o       I will designate a topic for discussion

o       Form class circle

o       I will start with the “talking stick”

·        End with class discussion

o       American Indian Tribes:

§         Talking Circle…Good idea?

§         What comments do you have about it?

o       Could this be a beneficial for us to implement?

o       Other comments

VI.              -What makes the “talking circle” successful?

-Choose one of the rules of the “talking circle” and express why you think the American Indians implemented it.

-Construct a poster board that would teach someone about the “talking circle” without the use of words.

-What do you think the significance is to passing the stick until every person involved has absolutely nothing to say?  

-Determine (through research) another way that American Indians achieve balance and harmony.