National School Reform Faculty

Wanted: A Fresh Idea for Closing
Date: October 11-12, 2006
Listserv: Coaches

Wednesday, October 11, 2006 8:30 PM
Greetings Colleagues...Our local school district is having its last (6th) day of an equity-based coaches seminar next week. It is the 4th year in a row of Seminars in our district so we are looking for a closing activity that we haven’t done before. We’ve done stand for a child, I used to think, now I think (up and down the mountain), a prayer for children, impulse, and writing postcards to yourself. Has anyone used something else that would make a good close.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Daniel, IN

Wednesday, October 11, 2006 10:24 PM
I've done an Appreciation or Gratitude closing, where each person writes one thing they've appreciated about a person, an activity, or a learning from the seminar or workshop. They all go in a basket and get pulled out by participants and read by them at random until all are read. It ends the experience with grateful hearts!
Mary, ME

Thursday, October 12, 2006 6:58 AM
Thanks so much Mary....It is a really good idea....I wasn't clear in my message yesterday that the closing involves 75 people and we’ll have about 20-30 minutes.
Peace
Daniel, IN

Thursday, October 12, 2006 7:36 AM
Daniel- we randomly pass out the certificates and each person most write about what they learned from that person whose certificate they received during the course of the training. The that persons presents the certificate to them - this usually ends with hugs and sometimes even crying. We realize the impact CFG makes on our own learning, but we sometimes overlook the impact we make on others learning. I also find this empowering to the group because it reflects the equitablity of everyone in the group and that a final authority is not giving out the certificates.

We also have each one write a letter home and mail to them in 6 months - I am sure that is like your postcard activity.
Michaelann, TX

Thursday, October 12, 2006 9:06 AM
I have used the Chalk Talk protocol. Chalk talk is a silent way to do reflection, generate ideas, and check on learning and can be used productively with any group. Because is it done completely in silence, it gives groups a change of pace and encourages thoughtful contemplation.
Frances, NJ

Thursday, October 12, 2006 9:24 AM
Hi,
The clothesline commitment works well in a large group, especially if the group will come together again in the future. Each person gets a piece of sheet or muslin and commits to a change they will make in support of a student(s). They share their commitment with one other person and then tie it on the rope. In closing the rope with all the ties can be held in a closing circle. I like this one because it connects to action in support of kids and connects nicely to the notion of “Closing the Loop.” Depending upon the focus of the seminar you can bump up the focus on actions in their risk zone, actions that interrupt inequity…
Debbie, PA

Thursday, October 12, 2006 12:46 PM
We've done a similar activity that has people do toasts to each other in their home groups to close. Not the same effect as a group closing, but since our folks work in their home groups almost the whole time, they're getting toasted by the folks who know them best and it seems to reinforce how close they've gotten in their groups in such a short time.
Kim, OR

Thursday, October 12, 2006 4:15 PM
Hi....Thanks for reminding me of this powerful/action oriented idea! I hope all is well with you. Attached are a couple of articles I have written recently. The “Gaps” article goes well beyond the directors report that spawned it.
Peace and Love
Daniel, IN