The Talking Stick

Students listened intently as Mrs. Ladinsky and Mrs. Baugh introduced themselves to the class. Mrs. Ladinsky is our school Reading Coach and Mrs. Baugh is our new Guidance Counselor. Each of the ladies took turns telling the students about their jobs. Then Mrs. Ladinsky read the book, "Timothy Goes to School."

 

 

 

Once Mrs. Ladinsky was finished reading, Mrs. Baugh introduced an "Indian Talking Stick" to the group. No, the talking stick doesn't talk, the person holding it does. The stick helps maintain order during a discussion. In order to talk, you must be holding the stick, otherwise you listen empathically. Mrs. Baugh and Mrs. Ladinsky modeled how to use the talking stick. Then they allowed the students to try as the students made text-to-self connections with the character Timothy from the book Mrs. Ladinsky read.

 

 

 

The "Indian Talking Stick" will be introduced to all students at Cracker Trail Elementary School as part of the newly adopted, "The Leader in Me" program.  It will assist our students and staff in practicing one of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Habit#5 Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood. Check out the following link, as Stephen Covey himself explains the rationale behind the "Indian Talking Stick."

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUxi-Zc45tA