Circle time

A pre-service teacher at an Alice Springs primary school uses a class reflection session with students to enable them to clarify and discuss their learning goals. Initially she uses a learning circle, where individuals can speak about their goals as well as listening to the goals of others. After reinforcing class rules for group interactions, she sets students the task of responding to set questions about goals in random groups. The teacher supports the group activity through strategic questioning. Each of the activities in the session is designed by the teacher to improve the students' capacity to listen attentively, participate, and work effectively in groups

Ross Park is the oldest government primary school in Alice Springs. It has almost 400 students of which 25 per cent are Indigenous. At the school, a pre-service teacher from Charles Darwin University is in her final round of teaching practice with a year 4/5 composite class. In focusing whole class discussion and small group activities on learning goals, the pre-service teacher aims to develop the students' personal and social skills, which she considers essential for their current stage of development.