Launch: Talking Circles Teacher’s Guide

Talking Circles Teacher’s Guide:

African, First Nations, and Buddhist

Perspectives of Peace

The Living Peace Museum is here to support teachers and students creating peaceful classrooms, schools, families and communities. Our education resources introduce culturally diverse peace heritage traditions, and the ways people and communities use peacemaking and reconciliation practices to resolve conflict.

Peace heritage traditions exist in every culture around the world. One example of a peace heritage tradition is a talking circle - an ancient custom used to resolve conflicts, make important decisions, or celebrate events. Traditionally, Elders, community members and other cultural groups, gather in a circular formation for discussion. During a talking circle, stories, songs, dances, and material culture may be shared as an expression of peace. The significance of talking circles in many cultures is that they create harmony, and celebrate good relations with the spiritual realm, ancestors, the human and non-human natural world.

Today as in the past, we are in need of learning conflict reconciliation skills and to understand what it truly means to live in peace with the community and the environment. In one way, we are looking back at these rich cultural traditions, but in another we are looking forward towards creating new peace practices. On this premise, we are excited to introduce our free online Talking Circles Teacher’s Guide, which is recommended for Grades 4-7.

The Teacher’s Guide is intended for educators interested in developing students’ communication, thinking, and personal and social competency. The Social Studies Unit Plan includes six curriculum- based lesson plans, which can be modified or adapted with extension activities. Students are introduced to African, First Nations, and Buddhist peace philosophies and traditions. They explore similarities and differences among these peace perspectives, traditions and practices through the talking circle format. Additionally, a vocabulary list is included to support students with the language used during the lessons. Resource pages list the books included in the lesson plans and also include helpful online resources.

Please reach out to us at info@peacemuseum.ca if you have questions. Let us know how you and your students are doing with the program and how we can help!

Free Download of the Talking Circles Teacher’s Guide