Discussion Topics for the Classroom, Based on the "Circle of Courage" Philosophy

Previously published as "Circle of Courage"-Socio-Emotional Discussion Groups (McNaughton Education Centre [Quesnel, BC], 2006).

Introduction

This discussion-based program focusses on 23 socio-emotional topics. These topics spring from premises of the "Circle of Courage" in terms of generosity, mastery, independence, and belonging. Resources: 1) students' opinions and experiences, 2) teacher's knowledge of the intra- and inter-personal implications of "Circle of Courage," and 3) the following textbook: Brendtro, L., & du Toit, L. (2005). Response Ability Pathways. Claremont, Cape Town, South Africa: preText.

For each of 23 weeks, students construct a class web that they daily add information to, based on the discussion topic of the week.

The author

Dan Lukiv, published in 19 countries, is a poet, novelist, columnist, short story and article writer, and independent education researcher (hermeneutic phenomenology). As a creative writer, he apprenticed with Canada's Professor Robert Harlow (recipient of the George Woodcock Achievement award for an outstanding literary career), the USA's Paul Bagdon (Spur Award finalist for Best Original Paperback), and England's D. M. Thomas (recipient of the Cheltenham Prize for Literature, Orwell Prize [biography], Los Angeles Fiction Prize, and Cholmondeley award for poetry). He attended The University of British Columbia (creative writing department), the acclaimed Humber School for Writers (poetry writing program), and Writer's Digest University (novel writing program).