Report #2
FIPP Activity Report
Funded by the Basic Skills Initiative
Name Sumino Otsuji
Date 11/17/09
FIPP Partner Elizabeth Craigg
Section #6132
Activity /Strategy Affirmation Cards/Affirmation Sharing Circle
Category Setting Classroom Expectations
Briefly describe the activity/strategy.
1. Introduction Go over what characteristics make up a successful student. Write
those characteristics on the board and share how important it is to truly believe
in those characterics for yourself.
2. Set up & Supplies Colored Index Cards
3. Directions Pick 3 of the characteristics on the board and fill in the blanks: I am
a _____, _______, and ______ person on the index card. Tape the index card
on the inside cover of your journal/notebook so that you can look at it daily and
remind yourself of your affirmation. For the Affirmation/Sharing Circle: Have
half of the students sit down in a circle with their eyes closed. The other half of
the students will whisper their own affirmation into the seated student's ear but
change the "I am" to "You are". Go around in circles and share your
affirmation with all of the seated students. Switch and then continue.
4. Conclusion At first, many of the students were skeptical and thought that the
affirmation cards and the circle were "weird". But after a few weeks, the
students said that the cards were helpful and a small "pick me up" when they
needed some affirmation in their lives. The Sharing Circle was a big hit once
the student got over how it could be a bit awkward. With soothing music, low
lighting, and some encouragement, the students got into the spirit and they
said that it was like "angels whispering into their ears".
What worked well? I introduced the Sharing Circle as a way to gift other students with
their own affirmation and it's a way to give something to others that's worth more than
money. The students loved the exercise and said that they left the room happy,
soothed, and more motivated.
What would you change? I would only do the Sharing Circle with a class that was very
comfortable with each other. Throughout the semester, I did lots of group activities, and
they got to know each other well, so they were more apt to share their affirmations with
each other since they were comfortable with each other. I may have all of the men sit
down first and have the women whisper the affirmation to the men, since one male
student said that it was weird having "men whisper into my ears". :)
Would you use the activity/strategy again? Why or why not? I would definitely do this again
for many of the students asked for a repeat of this activity!
Please describe any student learning outcomes/changes that you observed after the
implementation of the activity/strategy. The students seemed to get along with each
other even more and they said that this activity has helped them to open up more.