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Tribes - A New Way of Learning and Being Together

Author(s): Jeanne Gibbs

Publisher: Centre Source Systems, LLC

Type of Resource: classroom activities, lesson plans, classroom management framework, whole school approach

Target Grades: K – Adult, most activities apply to all age groups

Canadian Resource? No

Resource formally evaluated? Yes

What is the source, internet link, or article title for viewing the formal evaluation of this resource? www.tribes.com/about_evaluation_results.htm

Ministry of Education Expectations

Subject Areas:Language, The Arts, Health and Physical Education, Religion, Family Life, Career Studies, Individual and Family Living, English, Learning Strategies

Expectations Met:

GRADE THREE

Language: Writing

Communicate ideas and information for specific purposes and to specific audiences (e.g., write a notice for a community newspaper advertising an upcoming school event)

Write materials that show a growing ability to express their points of view and to reflect on their own experiences (e.g., journal notes)

Choose words that are most appropriate for their purpose (e.g., express a feeling)

Language: Reading

Express clear responses to written materials, relating the ideas in them to their own knowledge and experience and to ideas in other material they have read

Begin to develop their own opinions by considering some ideas from various written materials

Language: Oral and Visual Communication

Apply the rules for working with others

View, read, and listen to media works that convey messages or information and talk about what they have learned

Rephrase to clarify their ideas (e.g., what I meant was, when I think about)

Speak on a variety of topics in classroom discussions using some specialized language (e.g., metres in measurement), and select words carefully to convey their intended meaning

Use appropriate volume, tone of voice, gestures, and stance when speaking, making a presentation, or reading aloud

Contribute ideas appropriate to the topic in group discussion and listen to the ideas of others

The Arts: Drama and Dance

Interpret the meaning of stories, poems, and other material drawn from a variety of sources and cultures, using some basic drama and dance techniques (e.g., writing in role)

Compare their own work with the work of others in drama and dance through discussion, writing, movement, and visual art work

Communicate, through movement, their thoughts and feelings about topics studied in other subject areas (e.g., create a movement sequence to express their fear of an environmental event such as a storm)

Identify the themes and subjects found in drama and dance works, and make links between these and their own experiences

Solve artistic problems in drama and dance in cooperative work groups

Health and Physical Education: Active Participation

Acquire living skills (e.g., basic problem-solving, decision-making, goal-setting, and interpersonal skills) through physical activities (e.g., games, gymnastics, dance, outdoor pursuits)

Follow safety procedures related to physical activity, equipment, and facilities

Demonstrate respect for the abilities and feelings of others (e.g., accepting everyone into the group)

Follow the rules of fair play in games and activities (e.g., giving everyone a chance to play)

Communicate positively to help and encourage others

Social Studies: Canada and World Connections: Urban and Rural Communities

Demonstrate awareness of the possible similarities and differences among people, places, and environments

Catholic Education Religion and Family Life

Family Life:

  • exploring our own physical, mental, and emotional growth
  • roles within relationships
  • promises, choices and process of decision-making
  • interdependence of people in society

GRADE FOUR

Language: Writing

Begin to write for more complex purposes (e.g., to present and discuss their opinions and viewpoints, to pose questions, to record information)

Language: Reading

State their own interpretation of a written work, using evidence from the work and from their own knowledge and experience

Make judgments about what they read on the basis of evidence

Develop their opinions by reading a variety of materials

Language: Oral and Visual Communication

Ask questions on a variety of topics and respond appropriately to the questions of others

Express and respond to ideas and opinions concisely and clearly

Contribute and work constructively in groups

Analyse media works

Use appropriate tone of voice and gestures in social and classroom activities

Present information to their peers in a focused and organized form on a topic of mutual interest

Listen to others and stay on topic in group discussion

Use appropriate strategies to organize and carry out group projects

The Arts: Drama and Dance

Interpret the meaning of stories, poems, and other material drawn from a variety of sources and cultures, using some basic drama and dance techniques

Communicate, orally and in writing, their response to their own and others’ work in drama and dance (e.g., through discussions, interviews, research projects)

Identify and apply solutions to problems presented through drama and dance, and make appropriate decisions in large and small groups

Demonstrate control of voice and movement by using appropriate techniques (e.g., projection and enunciation in choral speaking)

Identify their own feelings and reactions in various situations, and compare them with those of a character they have portrayed

Solve problems in drama and dance individually and in groups, by analyzing the problems

Health and Physical Education: Healthy Living

Identify the characteristics of healthy relationships (e.g., showing considerations of others’ feelings by avoiding negative communication)

Identify the challenges (e.g., conflicting opinions) and responsibilities in their relationships with family and friends

Identify people (e.g., parents, guardians, neighbors, teachers) and community agencies (e.g., Kids’ Help Phone) that can assist with injury prevention, emergency situations, and violence prevention

Health and Physical Education: Active Participation

Apply living skills – such as goal setting, conflict-resolution techniques, and interpersonal skills (e.g., playing fairly, co-operating, behaving respectfully) – to physical activities (e.g., games, gymnastics, dance, outdoor pursuits)

Demonstrate a variety of interpersonal skills (e.g., playing fairly, co-operating, behaving respectfully)

Follow safety procedures related to physical activity, equipment, and facilities

Follow the rules of fair play in games and activities (e.g., displaying good sports etiquette by maintaining self-control whether winning or losing)

Demonstrate respectful behaviour towards others in the group (e.g., speaking kindly, refraining from hurtful comments, acknowledging others’ ideas and opinions)

Catholic Education Religion and Family Life

Religion:

  • respecting dignity of human life through responsible decision-making

Family Life:

  • understanding friendships
  • identifying, making, and keeping commitments

GRADE FIVE

Language: Writing

Communicate ideas and information for specific purposes (e.g., to present and support a viewpoint) and to specific audiences (e.g., write a letter to a newspaper stating and justifying their position on an issue in the news)

Use writing for various purposes and in a range of contexts, including school work (e.g., to summarize information from materials they have read, to reflect on their thoughts, feelings, and imaginings)

Language: Oral and Visual Communication

Ask and answer questions on a variety of topics to acquire and clarify information

Express and respond to ideas and opinions concisely, clearly, and appropriately

Contribute and work constructively in groups

Analyse media works

Use tone of voice, gestures, and other non-verbal cues to help clarify meaning when describing events, telling stories, reading aloud, making presentations, stating opinions, etc.

Contribute ideas to help solve problems, and listen and respond constructively to the ideas of others when working in a group

Discuss with peers and the teacher strategies for communicating effectively with others in a variety of situations

The Arts: Drama and Dance

Describe, orally and in writing, their response to their own and others’ work in drama and dance, gather others’ responses (e.g., through interviews, research), and compare the responses

Solve problems presented through drama and dance, working in large and small groups and using various strategies

Demonstrate awareness of audience when writing in role, and use the appropriate language, tone of voice, gestures, and body movements when speaking as a character in a drama

Solve problems in drama and dance individually and in groups (e.g., negotiate the “best” ending to an improvisation), and evaluate the solutions

Provide support for their interpretations of personal experiences and aspects of history, which they have presented through drama and dance (e.g., arrival in a new country, life in a medieval village), using various research resources to gather information

Health and Physical Education: Healthy Living

Identify strategies to deal positively with stress and pressures that result from relationships with family and friends

Identify factors (e.g., trust, honesty, caring) that enhance healthy relationships with friends, family, and peers

Explain how people’s actions (e.g., bullying, excluding others) can affect the feelings and reactions of others

Apply strategies (e.g., anger management, assertiveness, conflict resolution) to deal with personal-safety and injury-prevention situations (e.g., swarming, threatening, harassment)

Health and Physical Education: Active Participation

Apply living skills (e.g., basic problem-solving, decision-making, goal-setting, and interpersonal skills) through physical activities (e.g., games, gymnastics, dance, outdoor pursuits)

Follow safety procedures related to physical activity, equipment, and facilities

Follow the rules of fair play in games and activities (e.g., displaying good sports etiquette by maintaining self-control whether winning or losing)

Catholic Education Religion and Family Life

Religion:

  • right and wrong choices; consequences and responsibilities

Family Life:

  • changes within the family and friendships
  • choices, responsibility and consequences, commitment
  • community, signs of a good community

GRADE SIX

Language: Writing

Communicate ideas and information for a variety of purposes (to inform, to persuade, to explain) and to specific audiences.

Use writing for various purposes and in a range of contexts, including school work (e.g., to develop and clarify ideas, to express thoughts and opinions)

Produce pieces of writing using a variety of forms (e.g., newspaper articles, lyrics, summaries of information), techniques and resources (e.g., library resources) appropriate to the form and purpose, and materials from other media (e.g., film clips)

Select words and expressions to create specific effects

Integrate media materials into their writing to enhance their message

Language: Oral and Visual Communication

Make reports, describe and explain a course of action, and follow detailed instructions

Ask and answer questions to obtain and clarify information

Express and respond to a range of ideas and opinions concisely, clearly, and appropriately

Contribute and work constructively in groups

Analyse media works

Use tone of voice and gestures to enhance the message and help convince or persuade listeners in conversations, discussions, or presentations

Use constructive strategies in small-group discussions (e.g., invite other group members to contribute; ask questions to clarify a point; negotiate to find a basis for agreement)

Follow up on others’ ideas, and recognize the validity of different points of view in group discussions or problem-solving activities

The Arts: Drama and Dance

Interpret and communicate the meaning of novels, scripts, legends, fables, and other material drawn from a range of sources and cultures, using a variety of drama and dance techniques (e.g., “reader’s theatre”), and evaluate the effectiveness of the techniques

Evaluate, orally and in writing, their own and others’ work in drama and dance (e.g., performances, multimedia presentations)

Solve problems presented through drama and dance in different ways, and evaluate the effectiveness of each solution

Create, rehearse, and present drama and dance works to communicate the meaning of poems, stories, paintings, myths, and other source material drawn from a wide range of cultures

Evaluate drama and dance performances, with reference to their own experiences in daily life

Solve artistic problems in drama and dance, individually and in groups, and evaluate the solutions

Provide evidence for their interpretations of personal experiences and events of social significance, which they present through drama and dance, using a variety of research sources

Health and Physical Education: Healthy Living

Apply a problem-solving/decision-making process to address issues related to friends, peers, and family relationships

Health and Physical Education: Active Participation

Apply living skills, including interpersonal skills, in physical activities (e.g., games, gymnastics, dance, outdoor pursuits) and describe the benefits of using these skills in a variety of physical activities

Follow safety procedures related to physical activity, equipment, and facilities, and begin to take responsibility for their own safety

Follow the rules of fair play in games and activities, and support the efforts of peers to improve their skills

Science and Technology: Life Systems: Diversity of Living Things

Identify inherited characteristics (e.g., eye colour, hair colour) and learned characteristics (e.g., habits of cleanliness)

Catholic Education Religion and Family Life

Family Life:

  • valuing human life through the five stages
  • effective behaviours and emotions in relationships
  • code of behaviour, positive and negative influences in relationships

GRADE SEVEN

Language: Writing

Communicate ideas and information for a variety of purposes (to outline an argument, to report on observations) and to specific audiences, using forms appropriate for their purpose and topic

Language: Reading

Clarify and develop their own points of view by examining the ideas of others

Language: Oral and Visual Communication

Ask questions and discuss different aspects of ideas in order to clarify their thinking

Express and respond to a range of ideas and opinions concisely, clearly, and appropriately

Contribute and work constructively in groups

Analyse and interpret media works

Identify some of the ways in which non-verbal communication techniques (e.g., tone of voice and body language) can affect audiences, and use these techniques in their own speech to arouse and maintain interest, and convince and persuade their listeners

Listen and respond constructively to alternative ideas or viewpoints

Express ideas and opinions confidently but without trying to dominate discussion

The Arts: Drama and Dance

Interpret and communicate the meaning of novels, scripts, historical fictions, and other material drawn from a wide variety of sources and cultures, using a variety of drama and dance techniques (e.g., drama anthologies)

Evaluate, orally and in writing, their own and others’ work in drama and dance, using criteria developed by the class

Solve, in various ways, a problem that is presented through drama and dance, and explain ways in which each solution is effective

Describe attitudes and skills needed to organize and perform a group theatrical work

Health and Physical Education: Healthy Living

Use effective communication skills (e.g., refusal skills, active listening) to deal with various relationships and situations

Identify people and resources that can support someone experiencing harassment

Health and Physical Education: Active Participation

Apply living skills (e.g., basic problem-solving, decision-making, goal-setting, and interpersonal skills) through physical activities (e.g., games, gymnastics, dance, outdoor pursuits)

Transfer appropriate interpersonal skills (e.g., exhibiting etiquette, fair play, co-operations, and respectful behaviour) to new physical activities

Follow safety procedures related to physical activity, equipment, and facilities, and continue to take responsibility for their own safety

Participate fairly in games or activities (e.g., accepting and respecting decisions made by officials, whether they are students, teachers, or coaches)

Catholic Education Religion and Family Life

Religion:

  • moral decision-making

Family Life:

  • self respect equals the respect of others
  • changing relationships in adolescence
  • changing human relationships
  • freedom and responsible decision making
  • exploring the social nature of humans in community

GRADE EIGHT

Language: Writing

Communicate ideas and information for a variety of purposes (to evaluate information, to compare points of view) and to specific audiences, using forms appropriate for their purpose (e.g., a survey soliciting opinions on an environmental issue) and features appropriate to the form (e.g., focused questions)

Language: Reading

Clarify and broaden their own points of view by examining the ideas of others

Language: Oral and Visual Communication

Express and respond to a range of ideas and opinions concisely, clearly, and appropriately

Contribute and work constructively in groups

Analyse and interpret media works

Use tone of voice and body language to clarify meaning during conversations and presentations

Contribute collaboratively in group situations by asking questions and building on the ideas of others

Work with members of their group to establish clear purposes and procedures for solving problems and completing projects

The Arts: Drama and Dance

Interpret and communicate ideas and feelings drawn from fictional accounts, documentaries, and other material from a wide variety of sources and cultures, selecting and combining complex drama and dance techniques (e.g., “forum theatre”)

Critique, orally and in writing, their own and others’ work in drama and dance, using criteria developed independently and in a group

Critique solutions to problems presented in drama and dance, make decisions in large and small groups, and defend their artistic choices

Demonstrate understanding of the appropriate use of the voice, gestures, and the level of language in different dramatic situations

Organize and carry out a group improvisation

Produce pieces that deal appropriately with youth problems

Produce pieces of writing in which they reflect on their experiences in drama and dance, and in which they show their ability to analyse and find solutions to problems in real life

Health and Physical Education: Healthy Living

Identify local support groups and community organizations (e.g., public health offices) that provide information or services related to health and well-being

Analyse situations (e.g., hitchhiking, gang violence, violence in relationships) that are potentially dangerous to personal safety

Identify support services (e.g., the school guidance department, shelters, Kid’s Help Phone) that assist victims of violence, and explain how to access them

Describe causes and symptoms of stress and positive ways (as opposed to substance use) to relieve stress

Health and Physical Education: Active Participation

Apply living skills (e.g., basic problem-solving, decision-making, goal-setting, and interpersonal skills) through physical activities (e.g., games, gymnastics, dance, outdoor pursuits)

Transfer appropriate interpersonal skills (e.g., exhibiting etiquette, fair play, co-operations, and respectful behaviour) to new physical activities

Follow safety procedures related to physical activity, equipment, and facilities, and continue to take responsibility for their own safety

Demonstrate respectful behaviour towards the feelings and ideas of others

Follow the rules of fair play and sports etiquette in games and activities (e.g., maintaining self-control whether winning or losing)

Catholic Education Religion and Family Life

Religion:

  • responsible choices, self respect, respect for others, service in the community

Family Life:

  • developing our gifts
  • conflict resolution
  • building a loving, just community and exploring social issues

Learning Strategies 1: Skills for Success in Secondary School, Grade 9, Open (GLS1O/GLE1O/GLE2O)

Personal Knowledge and Management Skills - Overall Expectations
  • • apply knowledge of their personal skills and learning strengths to develop strategies for success in secondary school;
  • • demonstrate the use of personal-management skills and strategies to enhance learning.
Interpersonal Knowledge and Skills - Overall Expectations
  • • identify and describe the knowledge and skills necessary for successful interpersonal relations and teamwork;
  • • assess their interpersonal and teamwork skills and strategies, and explain how those skills requiring further development affect their learning;
  • • demonstrate the ability to apply appropriate interpersonal and teamwork skills in a variety of learning environments.

Career Studies, Grade 10, Open (GLC2O)

Personal Management - Overall Expectations
  • • use a self-assessment process to develop a personal profile for use in career development planning;
  • • demonstrate effective use of interpersonal skills within a variety of settings.
Preparation for Transitions and Change - Overall Expectations
  • • use appropriate decision-making and planning processes to set goals and develop a career plan;

Discovering the Workplace, Grade 10, Open (GLD2O)

Essential Skills for Working and Learning - Overall Expectations

• describe learning and thinking strategies, and use them effectively in school or in the community;

Personal Management - Overall Expectations

• identify their interests, strengths, and needs, and describe how these influence their decisions about education and work;

• identify and use effectively the strategies required to manage their behaviour in school and in the community;

• identify and use effectively the interpersonal and teamwork skills and strategies required when working with others in school or in the community;

Preparation for Transitions and Change - Overall Expectations

• identify changes and transitions that take place in their lives, and describe strategies to effectively manage these changes;

Healthy Active Living Education, Grade 9, Open (PPL1O)

Healthy Living - Overall Expectations

• identify the factors that contribute to positive relationships with others;

Living Skills - Overall Expectations

• use appropriate social skills when working collaboratively with others.

Healthy Active Living Education, Grade 10, Open (PPL2O)

Living Skills - Overall Expectations

• use appropriate social skills and positive attitudes when interacting with others.

Individual and Family Living, Grade 9 or 10, Open (HIF1O/HIF2O)

Personal and Social Responsibilities - Overall Expectations

• demonstrate communication and conflict-resolution skills in the context of family and social relationships;

Social Science Skills - Overall Expectations

• demonstrate effective collaborative group skills.

English, Grade 9, Academic (ENG1D)

Writing - Overall Expectations

• identify the literary and informational forms suited to various purposes and audiences and use the forms appropriately in their own writing, with an emphasis on supporting opinions or interpretations with specific information;

Language - Overall Expectations

• use knowledge of vocabulary and language conventions to speak, write, and read competently using a level of language appropriate to the purpose and audience;

• use listening techniques and oral communication skills to participate in classroom discussions and more formal activities, such as storytelling, role playing, and reporting/presenting, for specific purposes and audiences.

English, Grade 10, Academic (ENG2D)

Language - Overall Expectations

• use knowledge of vocabulary and language conventions to speak, write, and read competently and effectively for a variety of purposes and audiences, using a level of language appropriate to the context;

• use listening techniques and oral communication skills to participate in classroom discussions and more formal activities, such as dramatizing, presenting, and debating, for a variety of purposes and audiences.

Toolkit Evaluation:

(where noted: Consistently (C)   Often (O))

Exploring Well-Being Through Relationships

Knowledge

  • Personal growth in and through relationships
  • How healthy relationships support a healthy sense of well-being
  • Differentiate between healthy/equal relationships and relationships that are negative/unequal
  • How the nature of relationships are characterized by growth and change
  • Increase awareness of how actions and choices impact the well being of others
  • Increase awareness of how actions/choices of others impact personal well-being

Skills

  • Explore relationships from personal perspectives and experiences
  • Define values of healthy, supportive and caring relationships
  • Develop personal self-awareness and understanding of well-being
  • Develop and practice mutual empathy
  • Identify and practice values of mutual respect
  • Express personal feelings, thoughts, and experiences
  • Opportunity for classmates to respond empathetically and respectfully
Exploring Social Relations of Violence, Oppression and Equality

Knowledge

  • Knowledge about social structures of inequality, marginalization/exclusion, negative stereotypes, discrimination and violence
  • Recognize and understand oppression on the basis of gender and other forms of inequality (i.e., race, culture, socioeconomic status, education, geographic location, ability/disability, etc.)
  • Critical understanding of the concept of power by exploring relations of violence and relations of empowerment
  • Develop understanding of the difference between “power over” and “power with”
  • Knowledge about the social relations of equality, inclusion, acceptance and empowerment

Skills

  • Opportunity to personalize knowledge of social relations of oppression and empowerment
  • Engage in gaining a sense of social responsibility for addressing social oppressions/exclusions and for participating in achieving positive social change
Exploring Identity, Gender, and Diversity

Knowledge

  • Knowledge to examine social identities relationships and experiences within the context of multiple social relationships and structure of inequality (vulnerability vs. privilege)
  • Knowledge about how values and biases are (can be) used to exclude and cause harm to individuals and groups of individuals
  • Knowledge to build an understanding of “differences” on the basis of gender, race socioeconomic status, ability/disability, sexual orientation, language, culture, education, et. In ways that enable students to move away from thinking in terms of “better than/worse than”

Skills

  • Opportunity for students to identify, explore, and name their own identities, experiences, and values
  • Opportunity for students to develop an understanding and respect for the identities, experiences, and values of their classmates/peers
  • Opportunity to explore differences on the basis of gender, race, ability/disability, socioeconomic status, culture, religion, sexual orientation with respect and interest
  • Opportunity for students to engage with and learn form differences and diversity
  • Opportunity for students to express, learn from, and build multiple perspectives on social experiences and diversity
Developing Connections, Creative Thinking and Participation

Knowledge

  • Validation of students’ perspective and knowledge in understanding violence and healthy relationships
  • Strategies for personal and/or social change are offered to students for the promotion of healthy and equal relationships.
  • Engagement in learning conflict resolution and anti-violence strategies
  • Gain in knowledge about choices and actions that promote mutual empowerment and respect
  • Knowledge is shared with students about where and how to seek out help and support

Skills

  • Opportunities to develop and practice their capacity for healthy interactions and connections within the context of the classroom/school
  • Opportunities to work collaboratively with peers to discuss and develop strategies for healthy and equal relationships
  • Experience and practice how to resolve conflict positively
  • Opportunity for the development of supportive connections between students and teachers/adults

Pedagogical Evaluation:

Structure and Format:
  • Research-based introduction
  • Evaluation of the resource (e.g., formal research on the effectiveness of the program
  • Strategies to integrate lessons/activities into the educational curriculum
  • Information guide or scope and sequence of lessons (i.e. how to strategies)
  • Ready to use scripted format
  • Sequential guide or lessons that are user friendly
  • Availability of support to implement the program/resource
Teaching/Learning Strategies:

Direct Instruction: whole class and small group

  • Explicit Teaching
  • Demonstration
  • Explicit teaching and use of thinking skills and strategies
  • Explicit teaching and using self-assessment and reflection

Interactive Learning

  • Small-group cooperative learning
  • Small group discussion/debriefing
  • Presentations
  • interviewing
  • brainstorming
  • Conferencing: peer and student-teacher

Indirect Instruction

  • Guided teacher-directed inquiry
  • Guided student-directed inquiry
  • Reflective discussions

Experiential Learning

  • Simulation, role play
  • Case studies/scenarios
Teaching and Learning Activities/Lessons Include:
  • Choice, where possible, in student tasks and assignments
  • Multiple opportunities for practice and feedback.
  • Use of graphic organizers (e.g. Venn diagrams, mind maps, tables)
  • Opportunities for students to use their learning styles to learn and demonstrate learning
  • Integration of Multiple Intelligences theory to learn and demonstrate their learning.
  • Oral and written reflection/journal writing
Assessment Methods:

Pencil and Paper:

  • Checklists
  • Rubrics

Demonstration/Performance:

  • Class
  • Skills demonstrations
  • Role playing
  • Organizing events
  • Simulations

Personal Communication:

  • Journals
  • Student-teacher conferences
  • Interviews
  • Students assess their own learning and set specific goals
Other:
  • Parent involvement - information session
  • Parent involvement – letters home to explain program/units
  • Parent involvement – strategies to transfer learning at home
  • Staff training
  • School-wide connections

Strengths Summary:

This resource provides a comprehensive, research-based framework of classroom management that can be used from kindergarten through high school. This is a whole-school approach to behaviour management that highlights how working collectively together at a community level can achieve a positive atmosphere and promote achievement at a macro-/whole school- level. There is a thorough evaluation of the resource (done by teachers at different grade levels and subject areas) included.

The activities included in this resource help students explore underlying issues of cultural inequality, allowing them to acquire knowledge and reflect on personal experiences/perspectives to eventually foster positive interactions and develop the capacity for healthy relationships and connections, versus accepting the limits imposed by stereotypes and discrimination. Activities such as appreciation cards or warm fuzzies, which are used throughout this entire resource, ultimately advocate inclusion, collectiveness, and respectfulness towards others, which promotes a healthy outlook on life, respect for diversity, and individual values. Small group activities focus on change and human growth, and increase student awareness of discrimination and diversity while building social skills, communication, group coherence, and encouraging support, empathy, and inclusion.

This program strongly encourages self-assessment and personal reflection (on the part of the teacher and students). Tribes truly incorporates the theory of multiple intelligences into its pedagogy. The theoretical basis of this resource is a focus on equality in relationships within the classroom and creation of a positive classroom learning environment. This is reflected in the activities and format of the lessons which consistently provide opportunities for group work and promote appreciation of “tribe members” (the students are divided into small groups or “tribes”). Tribes promotes an understanding of how healthy relationships are supported by actively learning as a group, encouraging students to gain knowledge of themselves personally while promoting respect for diversity through group interactions.

The lessons/activities are easy for teachers to use (scripted/step by step instructions) and the program includes worksheets/journal ideas, reflection activities, graphic organizers (for teacher training and for student activities).