Sometimes referred to by various names such as science circles, Socratic seminars, and class talks, STEM circles are a time for students to come together as a class to share learning and create new learning together. My purpose is to facilitate these discussions and jot down key ideas as I listen.
When I first started these, it was awkward, like reallllly awkward. And some days they still are! Students are not used to taking the reins in class discussions. They are more accustomed to responding to questions posed by the teacher.
Establish expectations
TWO MAIN REASONS DISCUSSION CIRCLES ARE HARD FOR KIDS
First, there is a wide range of personalities trying to come together in one discussion. Secondly, discussion circles do not come naturally to children and they need a guide for what a "good" discussion looks and sounds like. Enter our Group Norms for STEM Circles!
LET'S START WITH PERSONALITIES
We all know there are students who love to be the leader or love to hear themselves talk. We call these Larry Leaders & Sally Stars, from our work with the Enneagram Personality Assessment. (Check out more about this on my SEL in STEM page.)
Then there are those students who prefer to be wallflowers, quietly soaking up the conversation for a wide range of reasons: (1) They think this whole discussion thing is dumb - Felix Funs & Author Artsys. (2) They fear sounding like a goofball in front of their peers - Percy Perfects & Katy Cautious. (3) They’re convinced they’re the Einstein of the group, judging everyone else as not-so-bright - Sebastian Study.
Lastly, of course, you have those that fall in between - Hazel Helpers & Patty Peaces.
ESTABLISHING EXPECTATIONS
Just like any other activity in the classroom, it's essential to begin by setting clear expectations. What qualities define a good discussion participant? What do these traits look like and sound like?
Slow and Steady
So, to say the least, this is a slow and steady process that involves a lot of pre-circle discussion of norms and post-discussion reflections.
I went in order, focusing on one norm at a time. We discuss strategies for achieving success related to this norm, focused on the ones presented in the poster. Students conduct a STEM circle and then they complete a reflection sheet.
This process repeats until it feels right to move onto the next norm.
Our group norms are adapted from OpenSciEd.
Grab a bundle from my store: norms posters, self-assessments, and goal setting for Science/STEM circles.
how you sit matters
I refer to this as a STEM Circle because my students literally sit in a giant circle on my floor. It is so important for all students to be able to see one another. This encourages eye contact, and in turn, respect, when students are speaking and listening.
Move the desks against the wall. Take your seat to the center of the room. Just make the space to create a learning circle.
It's important that you are not part of the circle. You are on the outside of the circle listening in, jotting down ideas, and only jumping in when absolutely necessary. Yep, those long silences can be pretty awkward and hard to sit through.
Get the throwable speaker
I found a fantastic way to engage the kids with just a speaker!
Using it as a participation tool really enhances their excitement and involvement in the discussion. The idea of tossing a ball in class adds an element of fun and spontaneity. Plus, it’s great to see how something as simple as a speaker can turn into a source of joy and connection among the kids!
In addition to bringing enjoyment, it also enables students to clearly hear their classmates' ideas. They simply hold the ball near their face, and voila!
