Background 
Information 
for Teachers

Before Lesson
• Post Learning Goals and Success Criteria for this lesson. 
• Have a large area available for students to participate in Inside-Outside 

Circle.

• Be prepared to share your own stories or experiences about contributors 

to your life.

• Have the Anecdotal Observation Template (BLM #2) ready on a clipboard 

to use while students are working collaboratively. 

Step A:
Assessment
as Learning

ACTIVATING SCHEMA

Inside-Outside Circle: Organize students so that they are in partners with 

one partner standing in front of the other in two circles—one on the inside, 

and the other on the outside. 

Teacher Talk: We are going to do some thinking and sharing together. I 

will be giving you some thoughts and prompts to consider. After some think 

time, share your ideas, thoughts and experiences with your partner. Then 

switch so that your partner has an opportunity to share. When you hear the 

signal, thank your partner and show attentive listening for the next instruction 

and prompt. Any questions or concerns?

Facilitation Note: After each prompt, have either the inside circle or outside 

circle move one, two or three people to the left or right so that for each 

prompt, they are with a different person.

Prompt #1: Describe a time when someone did something for you that was 

really meaningful and made a difference in your life.

Prompt #2: What type of difference did this experience make in your life?

Prompt #3: Describe the person that made a difference in your life.

Prompt #4: What qualities or characteristics did this person have that 

allowed them to make a difference in your life?

Step B:
Assessment 
for Learning

ORAL DISCUSSION AND DOCUMENTATION OF THINKING

Teacher Talk: Now that we have had an opportunity to share our experiences 

and listen to the stories and experiences of others, let’s discuss as a larger 

community any common ideas, thoughts and insights that we notice about 

our experiences with people who contributed to our life.

Anchor Chart: On chart paper or whiteboard, record student thinking as 

they share, focusing on the qualities of a person who contributes to or makes 

a difference in someone’s life.

Black Canadian Curriculum – Junior – ETFO – 2014