Through this, they develop a sense of belonging and responsibility. As the students learn that the Circle is a safe place to speak, they are empowered to communicate their feelings. As they receive feedback from their fellow group members, they learn the value and power of their own voice. This process also encourages oral language development and aids in improving students' concentration and work habits. The Full Circle storytelling component also supports the development of language acquisition and ordering skills.
Students use active listening and employ critical thinking skills to interpret the story.
Additionally, our journaling activity encourages and strengthens narrative writing skills. Through their experiences and observations in the outdoors, students have the opportunity to apply principles of life science, as well as systems thinking. For example, after selecting their totem animals, students study the traits and habitat of that animal, furthering their understanding of interdependence in the natural world. Even more, it offers students an opportunity to gain a first-person glimpse of a Native Peoples' viewpoint of everyday life and survival. Through a partnership with the Digital Exploration Society, students get hands-on experience with digital imaging technology including cameras, scanners and computers.