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Circle of Voices

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Alexys

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Circle Time Chats

Students will participate in a 15-minute class meeting to share feelings using a talking piece, practice active listening, and build a supportive classroom community.

Regular circle time helps 1st graders articulate emotions, develop empathy, strengthen listening skills, and foster a sense of belonging at school.

Audience

1st Grade

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Guided sharing with a talking piece and visual supports.

Materials

Classroom Feelings Poster, Talking Piece, Emotion Word Cards, and Active Listening Checklist

Prep

Teacher Preparation

5 minutes

  • Review the Classroom Feelings Poster to familiarize yourself with the emotion icons and labels.
  • Place the Talking Piece in the center of the circle.
  • Shuffle and preview the Emotion Word Cards to use as sentence starters.
  • Print or display the Active Listening Checklist where all students can see it.

Step 1

Welcome and Set the Tone

2 minutes

  • Invite students to sit in a circle and greet them warmly.
  • Review circle norms: one speaker at a time, hands in lap, respectful listening.
  • Display the Active Listening Checklist and read each bullet aloud.

Step 2

Share Feelings Round

7 minutes

  • Introduce the Talking Piece: only the holder may speak.
  • Prompt: “How are you feeling today? Use the Classroom Feelings Poster to choose one.”
  • Pass the talking piece clockwise; each student shares their feeling and a short reason.
  • Model sharing once to demonstrate clear, respectful expression.
  • Differentiation: Provide students needing support with relevant Emotion Word Cards as sentence starters.

Step 3

Active Listening Practice

4 minutes

  • After each student shares, invite one peer to reflect back the feeling they heard.
  • Refer to the Active Listening Checklist: make eye contact, repeat the feeling, use kind words.
  • Offer specific praise for effective listening behaviors.

Step 4

Closing and Transition

2 minutes

  • Summarize: “Today we shared and listened to many feelings—thank you for your respect.”
  • Optionally, select one feeling word to set the tone for the day.
  • Collect the Talking Piece and other materials.
  • Transition smoothly to the next classroom activity.
lenny

Lesson Plan

Circle of Voices Lesson Plan

In this 15-minute class meeting, students will practice respectful turn-taking and active listening using a talking piece, then collaborate to make a simple group decision, building community and student voice.

This lesson helps first graders develop social skills—sharing personal ideas, listening attentively, and making group choices—fostering a positive, inclusive classroom culture.

Audience

1st Grade

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Guided circle meeting with talking piece, listening prompts, and class vote.

Materials

Talking Piece, Active Listening Checklist, and Class Choice Chart

Prep

Teacher Preparation

5 minutes

  • Review the Active Listening Checklist and the Class Choice Chart.
  • Place the Talking Piece in the center of the meeting space.
  • Preview the options on the Class Choice Chart and plan how to facilitate a quick vote.

Step 1

Welcome and Norms

2 minutes

  • Invite students to sit in a circle and greet them warmly.
  • Review norms: one speaker at a time, hands in lap, respectful listening.
  • Display the Active Listening Checklist and read each point aloud.

Step 2

Sharing Round

7 minutes

  • Introduce the Talking Piece: only the holder may speak.
  • Prompt: “What is something that made you happy this morning?”
  • Pass the talking piece clockwise; each student shares their idea in one sentence.
  • Model sharing first; offer emotion or example support as needed.

Step 3

Listening Reflection

4 minutes

  • After each student shares, invite one peer to reflect back what they heard.
  • Refer to the Active Listening Checklist to guide reflections.
  • Provide specific praise for clear reflections and eye contact.

Step 4

Group Decision

2 minutes

  • Direct students to the Class Choice Chart.
  • Review three options: Stretch Break, Silent Reading, Draw and Doodle.
  • Have students vote by raising hands for their favorite.
  • Count votes, announce the winning activity, and celebrate.
lenny

Slide Deck

Circle of Voices

Welcome to our class meeting! Today we’ll share, listen, and make a group choice together.

Greet students and introduce today’s meeting. Explain that we will share, listen, and make a class decision together.

Circle Meeting Norms

  • One speaker at a time
  • Hands in lap
  • Respectful listening

Review each norm with the class. Invite students to show a thumbs-up when they remember the next norm.

Sharing Round

Prompt: What made you happy this morning?
Pass the Talking Piece and share one sentence.

Show and hold the talking piece. Explain that only the student holding it may speak, then demonstrate passing it clockwise.

Active Listening

Use the Active Listening Checklist:

  1. Look at the speaker
  2. Stay quiet
  3. Think about their words
  4. Reflect back

Display the checklist and read each step. Model reflecting back one student’s sharing.

Time to Choose!

Options on the Class Choice Chart:

  • Stretch Break
  • Silent Reading
  • Draw and Doodle
    Raise your hand for your choice!

Point to the chart and review the three choices. Guide students to vote by raising hands, tally votes, and announce the winner.

Great Job, Everyone!

Thank you for sharing and listening. Let’s enjoy our chosen activity together!

Thank students for their respectful sharing and listening. Collect materials and transition to the winning activity.

lenny

Worksheet

Active Listening Checklist

Use this checklist to be a super listener! When someone speaks, check each box.

  • 🧐 Look at the speaker.

  • 🤐 Stay quiet and keep your body still.

  • 👂 Use your listening ears (listen with your whole head!).

  • 🤔 Think about what they are saying.

  • 👍 Show you understand (nodding, thumbs up).

  • 🗣️ Tell back one thing you heard.



Reflection

What did you hear?

I heard: ____________________________________________________________





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lenny

Project Guide

Class Choice Chart

Use this chart to vote! Color one box for your favorite activity.

Activity OptionVotes
Stretch Break☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Silent Reading☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Draw and Doodle☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐

Instructions: When it’s time to choose, students color one box next to their chosen activity. Count the colored boxes to find the class favorite!

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lenny

Activity

Talking Piece Introduction

What Is the Talking Piece?

A special object that shows the class who has the floor to speak. Only the student holding the talking piece may share their ideas or feelings.

How to Prepare

  • Choose a tactile or visually engaging object (e.g., a small stuffed animal, a decorated stick, a colorful ball).
  • If you like, affix a simple label or sticker: “Talking Piece.”
  • Keep it in a place where all students can see and reach it when the circle begins.

How to Introduce It to Students

  1. Gather everyone in a circle and hold up the talking piece.
  2. Say: “This is our talking piece. Whoever holds it has the right to speak. When you’re holding it, please speak clearly and kindly. When you’re listening, hands stay in your lap.”
  3. Model: Hold the piece, speak a brief sentence, then pass it clockwise and say, “Now it’s Emma’s turn!”
  4. Ask for student volunteers to practice passing and saying a short greeting:
    • “Hello, my name is ____. I’m happy to be here.”

Usage During Class Meeting

  • Place the talking piece in the center of the circle at the start.
  • The teacher or a chosen student picks it up to begin sharing.
  • After sharing, the holder passes it to the next person on their right (clockwise).
  • Continue until every student has had a turn or time is up.

Teacher Tips

  • Reinforce norms: only one speaker at a time, attentive listening.
  • Offer praise when students pass and receive the piece respectfully.
  • If a student is shy, you may prompt them with a sentence starter or allow a buddy to support them.
  • Collect the talking piece at the end of the meeting and preview the next activity.
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lenny