Resources for the Shared Journal Process
Sharing Stories
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Sharing Stories TemplateSharing Stories Sample
NOTE: This is an example of a way to document the students who are sharing each day using the Smart Board. Each day, every student who shares adds an icon to the graph beside his or her name. The students will also use this graph to monitor who signs up to share. For example, if Jack has shared multiple times and Isabella has not shared at all, the students may encourage Jack to allow Isabella to sign up to share.
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Story Organizer Samples
Story Organizer Sample #1
Sample #1 Note: The student recorded information in each box to help everyone remember the story.
- Who: “Everyone”
- What: “We went to the zoo.”
- When: “Thursday”
- Where: “Montgomery Zoo”
- Title: “Zoo”
This can occur prior to the sharing, as the story is shared, or after the sharing depending on the needs of the child
Story Organizer Sample #2
Sample #2 Note: This Story Organizer includes drawings and a word completed by the child recording the details of a trip to the dentist.
Videos
Sharing Story (A Visit to the Museum)
Sharing Story (A Visit to the Park)
PowerPoint Slides
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Tips for Handling Difficult Behavior During Sharing Time
Rambling — Wandering around and/or off the subject. Using far-fetched stories or examples
- Refocus attention by restating an earlier child's relevant point
- Ask in curious tone how this topic relates to the story or sharing event
- Use “Are you asking….?”
Shyness or Silence — Lack of participation
- Give strong reinforcement for any contribution
- Involve the child directly
- Make eye contact with the child to comfort the child
- Talk for the child
- Allow the child to pick a friend to help
Talkativeness — Knowing everything, manipulation, chronic whining
- Acknowledge comments made
- Give limited time to express viewpoint or feelings, thank and move on
- Make eye contact with another participant and move to that child
- Give the child individual attention during breaks
- Say, “That's an interesting point. Now let's see what others think …”
Side Conversations — May be related or personal. Distracts group member.
- Don't embarrass talkers
- Ask their opinion of the group's topic
- Ask talkers if they would like to share their ideas
- Casually move toward those talking
- Make eye contact
Overt Hostility/Resistance — Angry, belligerent, combative
- Hostility is often a mask for fear
- Reframe hostility as fear to depersonalize
- Respond to the fear, not the hostility
- Don't disagree, but build on what is said
- Move closer to the person
- Always allow the child room to retreat
- Say, “You seem really angry.” Does anyone else feel this way?”
- Allow child to solve the problem
- Talk privately
Griping — May be legitimate complaining
- Point out that we can't change policy
- Validate the point being made
- Indicate you will discuss the problem privately
- Indicate time pressure and redirect