THE CIRCLE OF COURAGE
THE CIRCLE OF COURAGE
Ideally, the school will already have adopted a circle of courage framework for students to be familiar with. However, even if the school is not operating under this framework, the unit plan has been designed to meet the four principles of the Circle of Courage: independence, generosity, belonging, and mastery (Manitoba Government, 2007). In the way that teachers give feedback and the way they encourage students to interact and collaborate, it should always be in the spirit of collaboration and growth, and not competition.
Independence: “I have the power to make decisions”
Students have the autonomy to choose their own project
Students have the autonomy to define their own roles in their groups
Generosity: “I have a purpose for my life”
The aim of the unit is to contribute to the community and society
Students will be encouraged to be generous in their peer feedback and in developing their relationships
Belonging: “I am loved”
The unit emphasizes a collaborative group environment
This unit depends on caring relationships with adults
This unit encourages relationships between younger and older grades based on respect, role modelling and concern for each member
Mastery: “ I can succeed”
Students are asked to connect their learning with real life
Students are assessed based on collaboration skills as well as content mastery
At the end of the unit, students will understand that they have the ability to submit a professional grant application that is external to school-based learning